CATALONIAN DRIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1939, Page 6

CATALONIAN DRIVE

FAR=REACHING GAINS MADE BY REBELS LARGE AREA OF TERRITORY CONQUERED. IMPORTANT ROAD JUNCTION CAPTURED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, January 5. The Burgos correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph” says General Franco’s fortnight's offensive has gained 700 square miles. Garcia Valino, the most important road junction in North Catalonia, has now been captured, despite the destruction of the upper Segre bridges. There is widespread flooding owing to the loyalists opening the sluice gates of the Urgen Canal. The Navarrese have reached the mountain barrier guarding Tarragona, and are now waiting the fulfilement of their objectives by the Italians on their left before penetrating the mountains. The Italians, after initial unsteadiness, have consolidated their grip on the LeridaTarragona road. The next stage of General Franco’s advance may menace t’ue entire loyalist army on the Urgen Plain.

RESERVES CALLED UP

ACTION BY THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT. YOUTHS OF EIGHTEEN INCLUDED. (Received This Day, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, January 5. The Barcelona correspondent of “The Times” says the Government has called up all loyalists entering their thirtyeighth year, and all youths becoming eighteen in the first three months of 1939.