Barcelona, Feb. 22.
The Republican troops defending Teruel evacuated the city during the night, it is officially announced here.
The city was entirely surrounded by Nationalist forces, the report asserts, but the Republican commander managed to break through the circle and retreat in perfect order, leaving no men, arms or war material behind him.—Havas.
Trapped Men Fight Fire Saragozza, Feb. 22.
Ten thousand Republican troops trapped in Teruel were to-day fighting for their lives in flames which were spreading fast throughout the city, a Nationalist report reaching here so Teruel sustained one of the most devastating aerial and land bombardments in the history of the Spanish civil war. Fifty "Nationalist field guns and 100 Nationalist bombers were said to have rained shells and bomb; on the city.
Many of the fires in the city were started by "fame-throwing" tanks which smashed through Republican barricades on the city's outskirts and led Nationalist infantry troops into the city, Earlier reports that Teruel had been retaken by the Nationalists were apparently premature. One of the civil wars biggest battles was to-day reported raging near the city. Complete occupation of the city by the Nationalists was expected momentarily, however.
Nationalists succeeded in severing the Saragozza and Valencia Railroad north-east of Teruel and pierced the Sagunto Road at two points east of Teruel, it was announced. Only one small road was said to have remained open, but even this road was subject to cross fire, Nationalists reported.—United Press,
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