Allied Gains Reported

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23351, 10 June 1941, Page 7

Allied Gains Reported

;*JCER MOVEMENT ON DAMASCUS

(UNITZD PHZB3 ASSOCIATION — COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 9, 11 p.m.) LONDON, June 9. While there is no definite news of the advance of free French and British troops into Syria, it is understood in authoritative quarters in London that three points in Syria have been taken. One is Es Sur (Tyre), about a quarter of the way along the coast towards Beirut, the second is about 45 miles south-east of Damascus, and the third is a few miles inside the gyrian-Transjordan frontier. ‘ Four Allied columns are moving into the country, with two developing a pincer movement on Damascus. One arm of the pincer movement is moving north through Jebel Druz and the other is moving from Palestine between Lake Tiberias and the coast through Bas en Naqura and Saida (Sidon) towards Beirut. The Rome radio yesterday reported fierce fighting south of El Kuneitrah. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” understands that Free French troops form the bulk of the i Allied force advancing in Syria. The latest reports from Jerusalem indicate that someJFrench resistance was encountered at various parts hut was quickly overcome everywhere. There 'am no reports of any major resistance. Some reports ; gay that Allied forces have reached Es Suwcida, in Jebel Druz. Units of the British Mediterranean Fleet are cruising within gun range of the Syrian coast, but so far ! there has been no bombardment. <v It is reported froni Vichy that the firsjt fighting Recurred north of Lake Tiberias. Free French loud'speakers with the troops are announcing: “We are coming to chase out the enemy and wash out the i'jhame of Vichy’s capitulations.” A large irregular ' Hrsb cavalry force under British command is heading ;/» British advance on Aleppo. Could not remain indifferent to the British advance.

jkhy -circles say that the British (UUBB strong motorised detachhipported by artillery, A cpmWtflieissued in Beirut says that the tet'Afr' Force is very busy. "Our jcer-"«r : the southern front are deiiinganagnlflcently, resisting along * wide line,” it says. “Three enemy pwlifyiiji were shot down and sevei immured vehicles destroyed. The a&vtwfce raided Beirut -and also Bbei;’the aerodromes at Palmyra itfMsTV . i tojpmuniqu.e issued by the Royal irflmlnthe Middle East last night ittiliif of the Royal Air mm>itWMPPoxiiag the advance of fp BtjM-and Allied troops into fighters have not met yet. WAetmjfamique from Vichy declares: landed troops on Wfcwe#coast, all of which jfipoher. A British, battleship, lowers, and five destroyers oft: jMfaese coast south of Beirut took The British attwo tank columns, trying l|rt»Ptßrough. to Damascus.” from Vichy says, that fteamt .thrust directed against ami mifi. to indicate an attack from the IraqiiP fefeilfrench radio at BrazzaEquatorial Africa, an* &| forces in Syria Hi TOi to advance in spite of imwpibogition; German r gero-

columns, and were supported by the Royal Air Force. The entry of British troops into Syria was mentioned in a communique issued yesterday by British General Headquarters. In Cairo. It said: "Early this meriting, Allied forces under the command of General Wilson crossed the. frontier into Syria with the object of eliminating German personnel and influence from certain areas in which they are securing a dominating position through continued infiltration. If they are allowed to proceed unchecked, the establishment of German bases in these areas might endanger the security of the Allied situation, in the Middle East and lead to the Arab countries being seized by the Axis Powers. It is hoped to secure both French and Arab co-operation in this task.” . . , .. In spite of the emphasis laid by Vichy authorities on the “fierceness and violence” of the day’s fighting m Syria, it is not clear in London whether any major clashes have occurred between the invaders and the Vichy-supporting defenders, or whether the principal fighting is a result of a revolt by local inhabitants, including those in the Jebel Druz district, and by, the rank and file and General Dentz’s forces who are known to be Strongly anti-German. A Cairo report states that a large number of natives in the Jebel Druz area, as well .as many Syrians, have joined the Allied cause. In spite of French denials, high

being destroyed as we ad■SmWCtake pride, in announcing success is a result supplies,” who broke away KSHPench in Syria, as a pro--1 Vichv’s actions, is re■rapMfebe commanding the Free are advancing from ■i|||p™i»t General Dentz, Vichy’s for Syria, has. nsMSSMlßmiand of the Syrian forces. of the BrlKSMMpPresa says that Syrian KHB|Kople are welcoming- the Biffillilfed in London' that the ■m|p4s.ooo troops in Syria, bf them colonial troops, ■SHBJKtha few tanks and a small nßHttaiimintry through which a»->believed to be the coast, most■MßpixiCby to total about 20,000. French air force troops to enter Syria of sappers, and vol■flHnKcrossed the 'frontier in Plßßffttaht to remove ah obstacle main column. - This |MSpkby the British Broadcast■fflHShmon's observer! in Syria Dimbleby) in bis . latest party had done. signal was given at 2 ■DEpplsa- general advance. The Allied . troops was a and Indian. IwßfiWSwsiare under -the command . Henry Maitland' WII- - -in ■nEHpßOped oyer the frontier. guns, and armoured

Turkish circles- in Ankara insist that there are at least 200 German aeroplanes in Syria and between 5000 and .0000 German troops. It Is also reported that the drone of unidentified aeroplanes on their way to Syria during the night has been fairly common recently, in the skies ox southern Turkey. Two German aeroplanes flying to Syria made a forced landing on Turkish territory. The crews were interned. Other German troop-carriers have' been seen flying to Syria from the Dodecanese. , ... ... Reports from Cairo reveal that the Allied move against Syria was taken in the nick of time. A German mission was due to strive in Syria on June 15 to take over the administration of the Aleppo district, which would give them control Of the vital northsouth and east-west road -and rail communications. . It is also learned that the Vichy Minister for National Defence (General -HuntzlgeD told General Dents early in May that .'Admiral- Parian hacT conceded Syrian air bases to the Germans. Cairo sources emphasise the import-ance'of-the British and Free French declarations of liberty and Independence-; for. Syria and Lebanon. . . -Since - France’s capitulation, .the econonuc llfe of Syrians been almost, paralysed, exports and to a minimum. Grave exchangcdlmcultles had' hampered trade. and oU had ceased to run through the Syrian branch pipe line from * ra s^ n ..i There seems a good Probability that the Syrians, disgusted with* thei Germans andtired of Vichy. wlll accept and help the Allies to drive out the Germans. However, there is no tendency to regard the operations necessarily as a walk-over,- .

- J'F - /yVV.'y k■HHpfeepp.Ganges Deltas-Five reported to- have HBHE|S|ia - when a cyclone struck ■KRKjnliagss in the Barisal disGanges deltas—Calcutta,

D,S. Battleship l*u«cbed.~The 35,000-ton United States -.battleship South Dakota was launched after a brief ceremony. workmen began laying the keel of the Tf.—"Washiaurtoxitf Jun© 8.