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May 1937
Santander
Planet News Ltd.

"AIRMEN WHO SANK THE "ESPANA". -- All Loyalist Spain is feting the Government airmen who made history by sinking the rebel battleship, "Espana", the first battleship ever to be destroyed in an air attack. The feat was accomplished by the airmen while the "Espana" was trying to stop the British steamer "Knitsley" (4,261 tons) from entering Santander with a cargo of iron ore. Six hundred men of the "Espana" went down with their ship four miles off Cape Mayor, near Santander. The officers were rescued by the rebel destroyer "Velasco". Photo shows the airmen who sank the "Espana" photographed at Santander on their return."