SUCCESS IN IRAK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 118, 21 May 1941, Page 7

SUCCESS IN IRAK

British Attack on Rebels

FALLUJA CAPTURED WITHOUT LOSS

(Eec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. British troops have captured Falluja, 40 miles west of Bagdad, following* land and air attacks.

The town was captured without casualties. Its surrender was demanded by leaflets dropped from the air. It is pointed out in London that this is a new technique, the advantage being that the whole population knows the demand, and that popular feeling is thus brought to bear upon the enemy commander.

Refugees reaching Palestine from Syria say that German "tourists" are pouring into the country. Every train from Turkey brings into Syria hundreds of Germans clad as civilians. Most of these Germans are going to Aleppo and Damascus.

A Free French news agency report says that the French commander of the Damascus aerodrome refused to allow German planes to land there, and that other French officers supported the commander. A German officer eventually took command of the base.

The Ankara correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain quotes an authoritative source as saying that Rashid Ali's army is being strengthened by Soviet volunteer pilots, air technicians, tank drivers, and mechanics. It was added: "We were not prepared for this struggle, but help is now coming rapidly. The population of the Soviet Asiatic districts includes twentyfive millions of Moslem origin who are sympathetic to Irak. Volunteers from Afghanistan and Iran are also arriving in Irak to aid Rashid Ali."

The Vichy correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the Minister of Air, M. Bergeret, has gone to Beirut "to organise the defence of Syria against air attacks."

The Berlin radio stated that French fighters had been in action against British planes raiding Syrian aerodromes.—U.P.A.

use the Syrian air bases, and countermeasures had been prepared.

So far, the message says, it is not clear how the Syrians are reacting to Vichy's handing over of their territory to the Germans.

The French High Commissioner, M. Dentz, has had a difficult time recently with bread riots and desertions to General de Gaulle and also the growth of the pan-Arab movement in the byways of Damascus. , FRENCH DISGUST AT VICHY'S TRUCKLING. The Cairo correspondent of "The Times" says that Vichy's permission for the Germans to,use the Syrian aerodromes has caused a most painful im--pression among the French troops in Syria. M. Dentz has had no alternative but to carry out. Vichy's orders ii he does not wish to resign, but the officers and men of his army are disgusted at the latest truckling to the German demands. The French air staff has been withdrawn from the Palmyra aerodrome, leaving it at the disposal of the Germans.

It is not believed in Cairo that the number of German planes which have arrived in Irak is large.

The Jerusalem correspondent of "The Times" says Vichy's readiness to sell the independence of the French mandated territories in the Middle East has caused consternation in Syria and Lebanon, where there is great apprehension lest the country become a battlefield. The public have not been informed of Britain's announcement that she is taking measures against the German airmen in Syria, but the news has been picked up secretly and quickly passed on.—U.P.A.