CATALAN BATTLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 January 1939, Page 5

CATALAN BATTLES

REPUBLICANS RETREATING AT ALL POINTS GENERAL FRANCO’S CLAIM. OFFENSIVE AT CULMINATING POINT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. January 22. The republicans admit that their troops are retreating along the entire Catalonian front, says Reuter’s Barcelona correspondent. A Burgos message states that General Franco, addressing his War Council, claimed that the offensive had now reached its culminating point. A message from Lerida states that, as a result of an eight-mile lightning advance. Navarrese troops captured Villa Franca del Panades. 19 miles from Barcelona, and now threaten Manresa.

A fierce battle is raging at Igualada. the nationalists' final stepping-stone to Barcelona, 30 miles away. General Franco’s troops are hammering at the gates and warplanes are bombing the population.

TIME TO END STRIFE. LOYALIST GENERAL'S APPEAL. BARCELONA. January 20. General Rojo, chief of the republican staff, in a nation-wide broadcast, emphasised that all Spaniards were commonly inspired with a desire to supersede the ancient corrupt regime by something better and to redeem the country, yet they were killing one another mainly for the benefit of foreigners who would profit from Spain’s enfeeblement. It was time for strife to cease. Fie was not appealing for magnanimity or pardon because liberty would triumph in the end. The war would continue in spite of victory by one side or the other till the truth was recognised that Spain must be independent. He begged for a little understanding and patriotism to end Spain Calvary. WHEAT FOR REPUBLICANS. FRANCE SPEEDING UP SUPPLIES. PERPIGNAN. January 21. Twenty-seven wagons of French wheat and flour for the republicans crossed the frontier today. This is the first consignment since the Government’s decision to send 45,000 tons. Further consignments are being speeded up. CLAIMS BY REBELS CAPTURE OF IMPORTANT TOWNS. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) BURGOS, January 22. The capture of Igulada and Villa Franca is definitely claimed. The rebel vanguard is reported to be nine miles from Manresa. It is also claimed that the rebels have occupied Aites. POSITIONS CHANGE HANDS. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) ' BARCELONA, January 22. Severe fighting continues on the outskirts of Igualada and Villa Franca. The former town is reported to have changed hands several times yesterday. The insurgent advance fromb Calaf | to Manresa is stated to be held up al Salaverina.

FORTIFYING THE CITY AN EMERGENCY DEMAND. CALL ON ALL AVAILABLE LABOUR. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) BARCELONA, January 22. A decree closes all non-military houses during the coming week, for the release of workers for the construction of city fortifications. Failure to obey will be regarded as high treason. INSURGENT AIR RAIDS. Two British ships, the Dover Abbey and the Seabanjc Spray, were hit during eight air raids on Barcelona between 10.30 p.m. and midnight. The days casualties total 50 killed and over 100 wounded. MEN AND MATERIALS. ARRIVALS FROM ITALY AND GERMANY. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, January 22. The British United Press Gibraltar correspondent says Italian troops, estimated at several thousands, arrived in the vicinity of Cadiz and Malaga on Friday, where also Italian and German steamers have been discharging an enormous quantity of war materials, including tanks, during the past fortnight.