SYRIA FINALE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 168, 18 July 1941, Page 7

SYRIA FINALE

WELCOME TO ALLIES

Vichy Supporters Impressed By

Generous Terms

British Official Wireless.

Rcc. 2 p.m

RUGBY, July 17.

In Syria, under the terms of the convention. Allied forces have now occupied selected strategic points. In central and south-east Syria British and Indian troops, whose rapid advance from Iraq and Palestine was arrested only when negotiations for the cessation of hostilities were initiated, are now in the process of occupying further positions in the northern area.

The occupation of Beirut has been completed. A cordial reception was accorded to Allied forces, particularly to Australian troops, who have been in the forefront of the advance in the coastal sectors.

General Dentz, the Vichy commander in Syria, left Beirut early yesterday accompanied by a number of the more enthusiastic Vichy supporters among the higher officials. In spite of the cordiality of the welcome accorded to the Allied forces, General Wilson is taking no risks. Curfew has been imposed by a proclamation posted throughout'the city warning the populace that any act jeopardising the Imperial forces will be liable to punishment by death.

The Royal Air Force made a fivehour goodwill flight over Beirut, Tripoli, and Aleppo. Everywhere the people rushed into the streets waving and cheering. During the 31 days' campaign the Roval Air Force destroyed nearly 100 "hostile aircraft and damaged many others.

'The Times' '' Beirut correspondent says the impression has been gained locally that General Dentz was highlv pleased at obtaining such favourable armistice terms. Fair-minded Vichy supporters are impressed bv the Allies' generosity and Free French sympathisers believe that the British have been more generous than prudent. Anti-British elements claim that the British were obliged to make peace before Hitler finished with Russia.

VICHY LOSSES 4000

Refugees Returning To Syria From Turkey FKEXCH SHIPS DISARMED Rec. 2.30 p.m. LONDON, July 17. Casualties among the Vichy forces m Syria totalled between 4000 and >000. including 1000 killed, according to Free French sources. Forty-five thousand \ichy troops were engaged m the war. including 10,000 Syrians and Lebanese, and 5000 members of the foreign Legion.

The "Daily Telegraph's'' correspondent ;it Beirut says that before his departure General Dentz told a gathering of Frenchmen that they had been dealing with people who displayed much understanding and l>ehn\ed like fighting veterans The armistice terms were more, favoure, I t '^ an he had expected, and \\ould have been even more so but for some de Gaulle supporters Thousands of refugees who were driven to 1 urkey by the Yichv antiSemitic policy, and lack of eommodi- - ■, Particularly food, due to the effective British blockade, are pre Paring to return to Syria. ThP disarming of n French >hips hmg at Alexandretta has been completed under Turkish super'lMon - Th e crews were interned

AFRICAN SUCCESSES Patrol From Tobruk Severely Harasses Enemy mobile artillery support liec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY. July 17. A General Headquarters Cairo communique states that at Tobruk on finhtine* 1 nnt J i' ly lo " 1G an Ausl ''alian Vi patrol Penetrated 600 vards foil, cnclT r v Positions and su'ccess- . assaulted two strong points. snh«inn}"^i cUns en °my casualties substantially greater than the strength of the patrol itself, our troops withdrew. By its dash and determination the patrol again surprised and out-manoeuvred an enemv greatly superior in numbers and in well entrenched positions.

1-rontier area patrols from our armoured forces, admirablv supported by mobile artillery, have been active, inflicting casualties upon the enemy in personnel and material.

In Abyssinia our pressure is increasing upon enemy forces holding the Wolchelit Pass, north of Gondar. During a local advance on July l.j our troops gained an importam position and dispersed a counterattack with loss to the enemv.