The Salt Lake Tribune/1936/Yankee Air Squadron Aids Capital of Spanish Rebels

Yankee Air Squadron Aids Capital of Spanish Rebels. Swoops Over Burgos to Destroy Franco’s Planes as 200 Die in Loyalist Land Attack on Stronghold. Hendaye, Franco-Spanish Frontier December 24, 1936 (United Press) The "Yankee squadron" most daring of the aviators fighting with the Spanish loyalist swept over the rebel capital of Burgos Thursday night on a Christmas eve errand of death. The American filers led by Devil-may-care Bert Acosta escorted a fleet of bombers in a raid against one of the insurgents' most heavily fortified positions. They carried hundreds of incendiary bombs to drop on hangars and munitions dumps around Burgos in an effort to destroy General Francisco Franco’s fighting planes and shells which have wrecked much of Madrid. On land thousands of loyalist troops stormed the outposts of Burgos in what was described as "the most vigorous battle of the northern campaign. More than 200 were killed in a day-long battle." Forego Celebration. Acosta and his companions abandoned plans for a Christmas eve celebration in Biarritz French resort across the frontier to embark on the bombing foray They referred jokingly to the bombs which they stowed away beneath the planes as "messages of Christmas cheer for the boys in Burgos" The other members of the squadron were Eddie Schneider Jr., Major Frederic Lord and Captain Gordon Berry. Mrs. Schneider and Mrs. Lord disappointed by the cancellation of the party went from Biarritz to Toulouse Thursday in an effort to persuade loyalist authorities to grant them passes so they could join their husbands at Bilbao Friday. On the eastern front in the Huesca sector seven other American pilots formed the second United States escadrille of the loyalist air force. Communist Recruits. The recruits all but one of whom are Jewish members of the communist party in New York were recruited by the party which financed their voyage and pays their salaries. One of them formerly flew a plane owned by a New York newspaper. Upon their arrival at Barcelona however it was discovered none ever had flown a fighting ship or knew the tricks of "dog fighting" in the air. Instead of sending them back to the United States the loyalist authorities gave them antiquated Breguet and Dragon planes and organized them into a liaison squadron. Behind the rebel lines, Pious Navarre Carlists held midnight field masses and in the Basque territory priests moved among loyalist troops saying masses.

Madrid; December 24, 1936 (United Press) Fascist planes staged a Christmas eve raid on Madrid Thursday night showering bombs on citizens as they went to shell-torn churches to sing' the "Misa del Gallo” in praise of Christ’s birth. Many wars reported to have been killed and wounded in the surprise appearance of the rebel bombers over the city breaking a lull of several days Rebel artillery in the frozen Guadarrama hills joined in the Christmas eve bombardment pouring huge shells into the center of the capital Between 10 and 20 persons including women and children were killed The slaughter from land and skies spread panic through the city that was one of the oldest citadels of Christianity. Shell Hits Church. A shell smashed through the ancient church of San Gines on the Calls Mayor where Alfonso Vergaz's statue of the Savior has been worshiped by millions. Two shells fell in the Plaza del Carmen 500 yards from the Teutonics building and another in thickly-populated Toledo street, it was the saddest Nochs de Navidad — Christmas eve — Madrid has known. Families gathered in the remnants of their homes to sing hymns and look forward to a pitiful dinner Friday of lentils and rice. Many mourned for husbands wives and children killed by bombers. Many of those killed and wounded Thursday night were members of the lower classes who made a grim pretense to carry on the 1000-year-old custom of parading with noisy instruments and song. The pinch of poverty was evident everywhere. The fruit market on the Calle Mayor which usually is swamped at holiday time was in ruins. Brandy, whisky, and rum were not to he obtained. Thousands Meatless. Thousands of families were too poor to buy meat for the feast of Navidad or presents for their children. The big stores many of which were shuttered because of depleted stocks had few customers