NAVAL ENGAGEMENT OFF SYRIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 137, 12 June 1941, Page 7

NAVAL ENGAGEMENT OFF SYRIA

French Warships Bombard Coast

CHASED BY BRITISH

Half-Hour Sea-Land Duel Fought South of Beirut

(U.P.A. and B.O.W.—Reed. 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, June 1 I . A message from Jerusalem says two Vichy cruisers and a destroyer bombarded the British south of Beirut from 500 yards British artillery answered and the duel lasted for half an hour until British warships arrived. The Vichy ships put up a smoke screen and made oft, with the British in pursuit. It is authoritatively stated in London that the Allies have taken hundreds or prisoners in Syria, but it is not clear whether they have been captured in the normal way or surrendered without righting. I here are no reports at present that Germans are among them. It is confirmed that the Allies landed troops by sea around the region where their forces crossed the Litani River, north of Tyre. These fresh troops met "pretty stiff opposition," but nevertheless succeeded in progressing for some miles northward of the river, with the navy operating off the Syrian coast, but as the engagement is still proceeding no details are available. The Free French are encountering resistance at Kiswe, ten miles southward of Damascus. It is thought unlikely that Damascus has yet been entered by Allied forces. Fighting is taking place in the centre of Marjiyum, while on the left considerable resistance was offered to the crossing of the Litani River, north of which Allied troops yesterday advanced some miles. It is confirmed that troops have been landed from the sea and have encountered stiff opposition. It appears that there is resistance varying in strength at different points, but it is not known how deep it is. To break it through the entry into Syria must not be considered "blitzkrieg" warfare, where troops advance at any sacrifice for the sake of speed. A Vichy report says the Allies have taken Marjiyum (Valley of Springs) 40 miles east of Sidon, and Gabarheb, and that they nave intensified their drive along the whole front. A Vichy battalion was wiped out after a three-day battle at Litani River. Australians, supported by warships, continue to advance towards Sidon. It is reported that a British mobile column entered Kirkuk, south-east of Mosul, in Iraq, and received a friendly welcome from the inhabitants. The R.A.F. has bombed Beirut Harbour. The Ministry of Economic Warfare is holding large quantities of food near Syria, which it is sending in immediately the Germans are driven out.