Malaga fell into the hands of the rebels yesterday after Government troops had fought desperately against an attack by land, sea and air in which the rebels, with their superior numbers and equipment, overwhelmed them. There was fierce fighting in the streets, but according to claims made by the Government the Republican troops have retired in good order and have taken up positions outside the town.
The rebels approached the town in four columns from different directions.
The rebel ships afterwards began to shell the coast farther east, and it is believed that an advance in that direction will begin shortly.
On the Madrid front the weather brought the fighting almost to a standstill yesterday. The Government admits that the attackers advanced for several kilometres during their weekend offensive, but claims that non vital centre was captured and that the Valencia road is not cut.
FOREIGN TROOPS
The following Reuter telegram was received from Almeria east of Malaga, last night:╤
Malaga was to-day evacuated by the Government troops, who, it is stated, retired in good order to new positions. They took with them quantities of war material and have already been joined by reinforcements and re-equipped with a view to barring any further rebel advance.
The special correspondent of the Spanish Press Agency, who arrived at Almeria after remaining in Malaga up to the last moment, states that in the last few days the Government troops fought with the greatest heroism against great odds both as regards numbers and equipment.
ITALIANS AND GERMANS
The rebel attack was maintained without ceasing. It is declared that 20,000 Italian troops, several thousand German troops, and thousands of Moorish soldiers were used by the anti-Government command. In the final phase of the advance over a hundred Italian tanks swept forward against the defending forces, according to the Spanish correspondent quoted. He adds:
The bombardment was under the direction of a German naval staff on board the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee. Enormous losses were suffered by the rebel forces, who had to be reinforced by Italian contingents sent up from Cadiz immediately after disembarkation there.
