THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 16, 1989
Franco Troops Occupy Both Tarragona And Zeus Areas Defence Collapses Under Pressure From All Sides
Moroccan Troops Thrown In At Vital Moment
Saragossa, To-day.
The advance of the Nationalist troops on the Cata- lan front led at midday yesterday to the cap- ture of Tarragona and Reus as well as a large number of smaller townships lying around them.
The advance on both towns took place concentrally from several sides. General Camilo Alonso ap- proached Tarragona with troops, in forced marches, southward from Valls.
Province near Coloma
Towards mid-day, he was only, Barcelona nine kilometres east of Reus and only 35 miles from Barcelona. but several kilometres north of Tarragona.
HUNDRED CZECHS REPUBLICAN TO BE EXPELLED BEGIN TAGUS
Warsaw, Yesterday.
One hundred Czechoslovak citi- zens are to be expelled from the Preistadt district in retaliation for the latest frontier incident.
а
According to Polish statements, number of unknown persons
threw hand-grenades into the house of the District Commissioner at Schomberg and demolished the fur-
niture.
The Polish authorities allege that the perpetrators fled across the frontier into Czechoslovak ter-
ritory.-Trans-Ocean.
TRANS-JORDAN
ENVOY IN LONDON
London, Yesterday. Taufiq Pasha Abul Huda, Chief Minister to the Government of Trans - Jordan, accompanied by
of Education, Trans-Jordan, who will act as the Minister's secre- tary, arrived in London last even- ing.
RIVER ATTACK
Madrid, To-day.
The Republicans attacked at dawn along the line of the River Tagus and claim
to have driven
the Nationalists back to the north- ern bank.
is
Another Republican force said to have crossed the river near the village of Malpico; 25 miles to the west of Toledo.
Further advances have officially been reported from Estremadura front in the vicinity of Badajoz where the Republicans claim to have captured Fuente Obejuna and, now pressing southward, have reached the neighbourhood of Azuaga. They also claim to have counter- repulsed two insurgent
By this operation, there arose two new offensives near Talavera, Nejub Bey Almahdin, Inspector attacks in the Monte Rubio zone
The Spanish Republican troops yesterday successfully launched
to a
Spanish press to the west of the main road from according Valls to Taragona a great inden-agency telegram from Jaen. tation with Reus as the centre.
This indentation was, ever, pressed in by Moroccan troops advancing from the coast
+
Reuter.
how-
TARREGA CLAIM
Bilbao, To-day.. It is claimed that General Mos- and the Navarre bridge, operat-cardo's troops captured the town of
By Tarrega yesterday afternoon, ing northwest and west. the road between Valles and Tar-their advance on Cervera.
Camilo Alonso ragona, General
in
Tarrega is an important junction reached the railway from Barce- at the intersection of the main roads lona to Madrid, a Navarre bri- from Lerida to Barcelona and from gade under General Batista San-Artesa to Montblanch. chez' entered Tarragona and oc- cupied the town.
First troops to enter were the Fifth Navarre Divisjon.
A little later Moroccan troops, under. General Yaque,. entered Reus, and thus formed a closed front again.
They were met at Victoria Sta- tion by the Secretary for Colonies and officials of the Colonial Office -British Wireless,
square
kilometres was occupied Moroccan and within two days. Spanish cavalry covered more than 50 kilometres daily.
The lightning-like National ad- vance and hasty retreat disorganis-
Immediately after the capture of Tarrega, the Aragon army continued its advance and is now approachinged the defence between Tortosa and
Tarragona.
Cervera.
the
In Nationalist Spain, when news of the conquest of Tarragona was received all houses were flagged. Trans-Ocean.
be-
are now
further north.-Reuter.
SURPRISE ATTACK
Madrid, To-day. Republican forces, crossing the River Tagus to the west of Toledo at dawn, claim to have driven the insurgents from their first line defences in a surprise attack.-Reuter.
DRIZZLE LIKELY
reports Nationalist columns
The Royal Observatory heading towards Vendrell in the that a strong anticyclone has form- south and Igualada in the centre, ed over N. China and a ridge of Resistance on the Canal of Urgel high pressure extends from it to the to has been abandoned. Motorised Bonins. A depression appears At the same time, with the fall
columns of mixed legionaries and be, forming over Tongking. Fore- of Reus, 30 other townships fell
The capture of Tarragona was volunteers are nearing the Cervera-cast:- into the hands of the Nationalist
at once began a accomplished with amazing rapidity. | Igualada road, threatening to cut troops, which
Trans-Ocean. 800 off Cervera. clean-up action which is expected Territory to be finished on Monday.
On the northern sector of the Catalan front, Nationalist troops advanced with vigour under the command of General Moscardo and occupied Figuerosa, north-east of Tarega and afterwards Anglesola, five kilometres west of Tarrega. They
advancing are now Cervera, Tarrega being almost completely surrounded. Ocean.
on
Trans-
WITHDRAWAL ADMITTED
Barcelona, To-day.
A communique admits the with-
drawal of Republican
troops
to
prepared positions in a line between
Valls and Tarrangona.-Reuter.
FRANCO OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE
Lerida, To-day.
General Franco's Military Head- quarters announce that both Tar-. ragona and Reus had been com- pletely occupied by the insurgent forces.
Other insurgent forces are said to have reached the mouth of the River Gaya, while insurgent troops on the northern route to Barcelona had occupied Angle Sola and reach-. ed the outskirts of Terrega.
Another insurgent force entered
AMAZING RAPIDITY
totalling about
East winds, moderate to fresh; overcast some drizzle or light rain.
THANK YOU, JACK.-Sailors from II.M.S. Vindictive introducing French native troops to English cigarettes during a sightseeing tour of Algiers.