ADVANCE IN SYRIA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 228, 9 July 1941, Page 3

ADVANCE IN SYRIA

HEAVY FIGHTING AT DAMOUR.

PUSH ON ALEPPO AND HOMS.

(United Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 7.

Imperial troops in the coastal drive against Beirut are now well across the Damur River, according to a British military spokesman in Jerusalem. This is taken to indicate that the Allies have succeeded in consolidating their positions on the north bank of the river in spite of strong Vichy opposition. It is believed that the Allies are now fully in contact with the main Vichy defences round Damur village, which land batt.evj.es and the fleet are bombarding, heavily. Reinforced Australian infantry is pressing the Vichy defences on the heights overlooking Damur. The new Allied front north or the river extends north-east about three miles inland from El Aatiqua. The determined Vichy resistance is revealed by the experience of one Allied unit which, when it was hold up by a road block, was subjected) to eight attacks from Vichy armoured cars. Each, attack was successfully driven off. Allied troops in the Jezzin sector, who are protecting the right flank or the coastal forces, are ceaselessly harrying the Vichy troops. Strong offensive patrols are being sent out and skirmishing has occurred east a'ua north-east 'of Rhariff.

There is no respite in the pressure towards Aleppo and Homs. capture of Demi Kapu, in north-east Syria, gives the Allies command of important crossroads, one running parallel to the railway to Aleppo, and the other from Doir-ez Zor to the Turkish frontier. The column which is approaching Homs from Palmyra is sending out reconnaissance patrols without encountering opposition. There is no confirmation of a Vichy statement that an Allied column from Deir-ez Zor is advancing on Rakka, but a spokesman says it is very possible that patrols from the Allied column at En-Nebk, which is threatening Homs from the south, has sent out patrols to probe the countryside. Some had reached Beit Aativa without meeting Vichy forces. The Ankara correspondent of the British United Press "says British quarters expect that a formal offer of an armistice, involving total capitulation, will be made to Vichy within a few days.

Reuter’s Ankara correspondent states that reports that a Vichy regiment has reached Salonika are regarded as Vichy propaganda designed to improve the bargaining position in the event of negotiations. The British Broadcasting Corporation’s observer, Mr Richard Dimbloby, described the action on the coast near Damur as a “miniature blitzkrieg,” with artillery, machine-gun fire, divebombing, and shelling from naval units off the coast. He praised the work of the Australian infantry in establishing themselves on the northern bank of the river.