Hendaye, Sept. 12.
Republican forces crushed repeated enemy attacks in the Sierra de Gaeta and Villaver Valley all day yesterday, Barcelona reported today. Enormous casualties were inflicted on the Nationalist attackers who were principally composed of Moroccans, the Republicans claimed. A thousand shells and bombs showered the Republican positions before the Moors attacked. Six attacks were launched in the Villaver Valley and two in the Sierra de Gaeta. Each attack was covered by large detachments of tanks. The Republicans claimed that none of the attacks was successful.
After decimating the attackers, the Republicans—counter-attacked the Moors with grenades, the Republicans said. The Moors retreated in disorder, abandoning a large number of dead and wounded on "no man's land," the Republicans asserted.
Nationalist high command radio messages to line commanders were intercepted and they helped the Republicans in planning their defence, the- Republican headquarters announced, The Nationalists, however, presented an entirely' different version of the fighting. They reported the Republicans launched a powerful attack in the Villaver Valley but Nationalist artillery disorganized the onslaught with intense barrages, foreing the Republicans to retreat after suffering heavy losses.
The Nationalists then counterattacked, rectifying their positions, the Nationalists said.
It was quiet on all other fronts.
Burgos announced that it was immediately calling up the class of 1928.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.