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Show LOYALISTS FLEE : AS PORT FALLS RABAT. Fresteai Moreeee, Feb. ITt The insurgent radio stotlea at Cordoba suussuaceel today tho Insurgent flee, occupying the port of Malaga, had seised a beat filled with government official of the ty. -A VILA, Spain, Feb. (UP) An official rebel communique said loyalist loy-alist defense of Malaga had collapsed col-lapsed and government troops were fleeing. In disorder. Tho air waa filled with Jubilant rebel broadcasts announcing the fall of the strategically Important city. The loa of Malaga la a severe blow to the government, becauae It give General Francisco Franco a naval baa from which he can harry Alicante and Valencia the latter the temporary loyalist capital. Franco also can cut off the government gov-ernment from access to war materials mate-rials coming across the" Atlantic, such as shipments from Mexico. Franco also gains another Una of communication with Morocco. From Malaga, Franco's warships can strike government shipping to Valencia and Barcelonla more easily. eas-ily. The fall of the city therefore constitutes one of th most decisive battles of the war. MADRID, Feb. 8 m Madrid's defenders, fighting off what was believed a major offensive aimed at strangling the besieged capital, held the attack at bay today. |