Barcelona, Sept. 4. Heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, supported by planes, halted the powerful Nationalist drive along the road linking Gandesa and Mora in the southern sector of the Ebro front, the Republican headquarters announced today.
The Nationalists, strengthened by numerous reinforcements and supported by powerful aircraft squadrons and rapid-firing field guns, attempted te pierce the principal Republican communication centre but after intense fighting they withdrew leaving many dead and wounded, Republicans suid.
The Republicans admitted that the Nationalists had succeeded in capturing Hills 403, 386 and 349 after a most violent battle.
Republican reports from Andujar said the Republicans continued their advances on the Estremadura front and the Zugarri River sector.
The Nationalists opposed the drives with stiff resistance but were unable to prevent the Repulicans from advancing, the Republicans claimed.
Inflicting heavy losses by intense machine-gun fire and the use of high-powered grenades, the Republicans captured Hill 323 and took many prisoners of war, the Republican communique said.
Republican forces also were reported to have captured several important Nationalist positions in the Belaleacar region south of Cabeza, including Tiugillo Heights as well as Hill 512.
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