The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-11
BASQUES FIGHT
 BACK BRAVELY
Continued from Page D

I
 Mola's forces were thrown back before they could consolidate their gains of the last two days when Basque troops were forced to re- tire from several important points the reports said.
 Surprised Rebels
 The mountain climbing Basques went up the slopes of Mount Sol luve along little used paths, in darkness and blinding rain, holding their fire until they reached the first lines of the Moors, surprsi- ing the Nationalists who thought their positions on the heights were perfectly secure. Before the Moors knew what was happening, the Basque militia was on them with | bayonet and hand grenade. The Basque army reports said the Moors were routed. The Basques then began smelling the Mermeo high way to the north to prevent rein forcements from arriving to aid the retreating Moors.
 Following up their advance in the heavy mist and rain, the Basques and their allies recaptured all Sol luve mountain peaks, they reported.
 Strong Counter Attack
 Further south, the Nationalists launched an attack and met a strong Basque counter attack. Basque dispatches reported the Bilboa militia had retaken Amore- bieta, the Bilboa "Marne" on the Durango road. Pushing on south- east of Amorebieta, the Basques said they established new lines two and a half miles nearer Durango, where, Mola's southern column has been held up for 10 days. But the danger to Bilbao was not dispelled by the Loyalist advance on the thin crescent-shaped line between the city and Mola's forces.
 Italians Push On
 In the extreme north, several columns of the Italian Black Arrow brigade, pushed along the coast toward Plencia, which is near the mouth of the Nervion river, Bil- baos' outlet to the sea. Capture of this important town would en- able Nationalist shore battereis to control Bilbaos shipping and rein force Mola's naval blockade whcih has made it difficult and danger ous to supply the population with food. The French maritime com- mander of the port of Rochefort warned all French shipping that the entrance to Bilbao harbor. was now most dangerous" because Frances artillery is nearing Plencia." He also said mine field stretched for five miles along the coast.
 Surprise Basque Militia
 Moving rapidly toward Plencia, the Italian Black Arrow columns the Basque militia who were forced to abandon several heavy guns which had comprised their chief coastal defense from Plencia to Cape Machichaco.
 Italian attachments, sWarming down from the northern slopes of the Solluve range, placed machine guns across the roads. The big coastal guns were captured and the Basque militia guarding them routed.
 With Mola's advance guard almost in sight of Bilbao on the north, Basque men, women and children volunteers grabbed picks and shovels today to aid troops in reinforcing the famous "iron belt"-triple rings of parallal trenches which sur- round Bilbao in a semi-circle from coast to coast.
 Guernica, Basque Front, May II. - UP) - Pushing their offensive from Solluve against the remaining heights in the hands of the BasQues on the Bilbao front, General Emilio Mola's troops today captured Bald Mount Mazagas and another strate- gic elevation known as Hill 3O2.
 Mount Mazagas has hitherto been the chief obstacle of the nationalists in their drive to take Mount Viz cargui and dominate the valley of the Nervion river and the low country in the immediate vicinity of Bilbao.
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