The gun battle between the two policemen and three heavily armed fugitives who had blackened their faces took place in the middle of W. Thirty-ninth Street near Blaisdell Avenue.

The chase included three car switches and the abduction of a Bloomington woman, who was blindfolded and later thrown from the car into an alley.

All Minneapolis detectives were called back to duty last night and policemen on duty were ordered to remain at their posts.

Fatally wounded was Patrolman Robert H. Fossum, 31, 2748 Cedar Avenue, who fell with a bullet wound in his head. His partner, Ward L. Canfield, 35, 5740 The chase began at 8:40 p.m. when Fossum and Canfield reported by radio they were chasing a car on Pillsbury Avenue.

Police said the chase had apparently begun a few moments before on Lake Street. It was not known immediately why the chase started, but the fugitives were driving a stolen car.

Shots were being exchanged during the course of the chase. The cars pursued a zigzag course over W. Thirty-sixth Street to Blaisdell, down Blaisdell to Thirty-ninth Street where the fugitives' car skidded around the corner and struck a parked car.

The fugitives' Chrysler locked bumpers with the parked car and spun into the middle of the street.

The pursuing police car careened around the corner into Thirty-ninth Street caromed off the curb and spun around several times before stopping.

Policemen and fugitives leaped from their cars and opened fire at point blank range. Fossum fell first in a hail of dozens of bullets. Canfield fell seconds later with a bullet in the pelvis.

THE TWO cars, still locked together from the collision, sped along Thirty-ninth Street until they unlocked and went out of control near 850 Van Nest Street.

When the cars came to rest the fugitives fled on foot to Thirty-ninth Street and Nicollet Avenue where they commandeered a car driven by a woman whose companion was standing beside the auto. When she protested they pushed her into the street and drove the auto south on Nicollet.

At Thirty-eighth street and First avenue S. they curbed a car driven by Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Anderson, 9448 Clinton: avenue S. Bloomington. They pushed Anderson from the car blindfolded his wife and drove away with her.

THEY THREW Mrs. Anderson from the car in an alley behind 3325 Columbus Avenue.

The Anderson car later was found abandon at Thirty-ninth Street and Fifth Avenue S. there, the trail ended.

Police broadcast a statewide alarm and combed the city and suburbs for the fugitives.