VERY SATISFACTORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 228, 9 July 1941, Page 6

VERY SATISFACTORY.

ALLIED POSITION IN SYRIA. ARMISTICE PLAN REJECTED. (Roc. 1.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 8. The position of the Allied forces in Syria is described by a military spokesman at Jerusalem as very satisfactory. The capture of Damour after a dashing Australian attack does not necessarily mean the immediate surrender of Beirut. There is plenty of difficult country between Damour and Beirut, and the Vichy forces are believed to possess a second lino of fortifications. It is expected that the main body of the Imperial forces will join up with the Australians in Damour after overcoming strong Vichy units which are holding out on the coast immediately south of tlio village. The enemy launched strong counter-attacks in an endeavour to outflank the advanced Australians. The Allied mechanised forces advancing from Palmyra are 15 miles from Homs, while another force from Damascus is threatening Beirut.

According to the British United Press the Imperial forces are using “sticky bombs” with great effect. These bombs, which are about the size of a pineapple, explode with terrific force after adhering to the sides of enemy tanks and armoured cars.

The Paris radio announced that General Dent (Vichy High Commissioner in Syria) had iejected another British armistice proposal. He ordered the mobilisation of. all French subjects in Syria'and' Lebanon between tho ages of 19 and 45.,