GERMAN INRUSH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 186, 21 May 1941, Page 5

GERMAN INRUSH

“TOURISTS" ENTER SYRIA.

HUNDREDS BY EVERY TRAIN.

IRAKIS ANNOUNCE SOVIET AID. (United. Press Association—Copyright J (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. La Falluja was captured without casualties. Its surrender was demanded by a leaflet from the air. It is pointed out in London that this new technique, the advantage being than tho whole population knows of the demand and popular tooling is thus brought to bear upon the enemy commander.

Refugees reaching Palestine from Syria say that German “tourists” arc pouring into tho latter country. Every train from Turkey brings into Syria, hundreds of civilian-clad Germans Most of these Germans arc going to Aleppo and Damascus. A Free French News Agency report says that the French commander a b ttu» Damascus aerodrome refused to allow German planes to land there. Othoi French officers supported the commander. The German officer eventually took command of the base.

The Ankara correspondent of the Associated Press quotes authoritative sources as saying that Rescind Ali’s army is being strengthened by volunteer Soviet pilots, air technicians, tank drivers, and mechanics. Tho authorities added: We were not prepared for tho struggle, but help is now' coming rapidly. ... The population of Soviet Asiatic districts includes 25,000,000 of Moslem origin who are sympathetic to Iraq Volunteers from Afghanistan and Iran aro also arriving to aid Raschid Ali. The Vieliy correspondent of the Associated Press says that tho Minister for Air (M. Bcrgerct) has gone to Beirut “to organise the defence of Syria against air attacks.” The Berlin radio stated that French fighters went into action against British planes raiding Syrian aerodromes, A communique issued hy British headquarters at Cairo states: “Our patrolling activities are continuing in Libya. “At Amba Alaga arrangements are proceeding to complete the surrender of the Italian forces. In the southern areas torrential rains are temporarily interfering with the progress of our operations. After a short engagement with Iraqi rebel troops. British troops at Habbania and in the Basl’a areas the situation remains quiet.”—British Official Wireless.

BRITISH SUCCESS IN IRAQ.

TOWN OF FALLUJA TAKEN.

ANTI-NAZI FEELING IN SYRIA. (U.P.A.) LONDON, May 20. British forces in Iraq have occupied A 1 Falluja, which is on the main road between Bagdad and Lake Habbania. This is officially announced in London. The latest Royal Air Force communique from Cairo reports raids by British bombers on the Syrian aerodromes at Rayak, Palmyra, and Damascus. A number of German aircraft wore destroyed on tho ground alb Ravak, and hangars were damaged. Vichy’s permission for the Germans to use Syrian has caused a very painful impressioh among the French troops in Syria, says the Cairo correspondent of “The Times.” General Dentz, the High Commissioner for Syria, the correspondent adds, had no alternative except to carry out Vichy’s orders if he did not wish to resign, but the officers and men of his army are disgusted at the latest truckling* to the German demands. The French air staff has withdrawn from the Palmyra aerodrome, leaving it at. the disposal of the Germans., It is not believed in Cairo that a, large number of German planes have arrived in Iraq. The Jerusalem correspondent of “The Times” says that Vichy’s readiness to sell the independence of French mandated territories in the Middle East has caused consternation in Syria and Lebanon, where there is great apprehension lest the country become a battlefield. The public have not been informed of Britain’s announcement that she is taking measures against German airmen in Syria, but the news was picked tip secretly and quickly passed on. Britons, Americans, and Palestinians are leaving Syria and Lebanon on the advice of their consuls, states the Jerusalem correspondent of the Independent French New r s Agency. Ho adds that the road between Beirut and Nor-' them Palestine is reported to be mined. German agents in Beirut arc energetically attempting to unnerve the local population by spreading all kinds of lying rumours. No uniformed German has so far been seen in Syria.

Jt is reported from Nicosia (Cyprus) that the British, intelligence service in the Middle East has for some time been fully aware of the German plans to use Syrian air bases, and countermeasures wore prepared. So far it is not clear how the Syrians are reacting to Vieliv’s handing over of their territory to the Germans, this report adds. General Dcntz recently has had a difficult time with bread riots, desertions to General do Gaulle, and the growth of a pan-Arab movement in the byways of Damascus.

The , Cairo correspondent of the British United Press says that according to reliable reports, . the main French forces on tin' Syrian frontier have been withdrawn. Syrian, Palestinian and Moroccan troops, however, continue to patrol the frontier. Civilian residents have been evacuated from villages near the border. A message from Bagdad received in Vichy states that the mobilisation of Soyyid Ali’s army is completed. The Beirut correspondent of the “Daily Express” says French anti-air-craft defences on Sunday fired on British planes bombing the Ray ale airfield. The planes were not hit.