Evening star., 1936-11-09
Spain
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heard the shrill whistle Of the shells.
It was reported 80 persons were
injured in the morning bombardment.
Twenty-three persons. it was estab-
lished, were killed in the Puente VAL
lecas section yesterday. when six finn
sy workers apartment buildings col
lapsed under the bombardment.
Many other persons were hurt in the
falling debris.
There still were no official figures
as to the total casualties in yesterdays
bombardment, but they were estimated
at between 100 and 200.
One Red Cross official said three
large trucks full Of dead had been
taken to the morgue.
Passing over the southern and west
ern limits of the city this forenoon.
the enemy bombers dropped a number
Of small projectiles without serious
damage. A number Of small buildings
were set afire, however.
In all. IA planes participated in
the morning raids, dropping q number
Of incendiary bombs. The Casa de
Campo, formerly the private estate Of
the King, felt the brunt of these.
The battle Of machine guns was
plainly audible in downtown Madrid,
punctuating the artillery broadsides as
the fighting drew nearer. Operations
in the trenches at the edge of the
city were plainly visible from the
higher buildings.
From the offices of the Associated
Press Madrid bureau were heard three
loud explosions near the ministries of
war, communications and navy.
The bark of rifle and revolver fire
punctuated the roar of aerial and
artillery bombardments.
Military circles, laboring to hold the
city from the Fascist assaults, said
the bombardment was the heaviest on
any capital in history. Some sources
estimated the death toll Of yesterdays
dual attack at 80 dead and ITO in
jured.
Sheiled Throughout Night.
Throughout the night, shells dropped
into the very heart of Madrid. One
exploded only 100 yards from the
offices Of the Associated Press.
The phantom fifth column" swung
into action In the city in an appar-
ent effort to lend interior support to
the insurgent siege. Its members de-
Ned government curfew orders until
strong guard detachmehts were or
dered to patrol the streets.
The Socialists directed machine gun
and rifle fire at the hidden positions
while Fascist snipers tried to pick of
the government sentries.
The defense council threw every
available militiaman into the con-
solidated positions which run from
Vallecas, a southeastern suburb, to the
Escorlal road which enters the capital
from the northwest.
Under the personal direction of
Gen. Jose Miaja, the council sat In
session throughout the night, direct
ing the battle on front line reports
delivered by motor cycle dispatch
riders.
The Junta praised the heroic stand
OF the Socialist troops which have
been almost without food since the
siege started four days ago. A short
age Of cartridges was reported as the
militia massed in human wall which
withstood the terrific tnsurgent at
tack.
Gun crews in the city stood fast
in their positions. undismayed by the
unprecedented bombings.
Strained Gayety I'm City.
In the city. cheering radio music
echoed through the few cafes and
restaurants which were still open.
Diners kept up q strained gayety amid
the reverberations Of the cannonad-
ing.
Morgues continued to receive bodies
Of air raid victims. Doctors and
nurses worked fsvershly Ia hrst aid
stations.
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