ADVANCE CONTINUES

Evening Star, Issue 23907, 10 June 1941, Page 5

ADVANCE CONTINUES

Allied Forces In Syria NO BIG ENGAGEMENT REPORTED Many French Coming Over Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 9. The British military spokesman in Jerusalem said the advance in Syria has attained an average depth of 35 to 40 miles. The Allies are encountering scattered centres of resistance. A considerable number of French officers and men have gone over to the British, and a number of others have' ceased to fight. British casualties so far are negligible. Penetration of Syria is continuing with British planes bombing the main airfields behind the French lines, but details of the fighting are very scanty. It is difficult to estimate the extent of -'-the French opposition, but it is clear that the Allies have not yet encountered major resistance. It is even reported that French officials in the country already occupied are co-operating with the Allies. British reconnaissance planes report seeing a large number of German troops in Rhodes and other Dodecanese Islands, apparently awaiting aerial transport, presumably to Syria. Meanwhile the Berlin radio stated that at the moment Germany con- * Eiders herself a non-participant observer of the struggle between the former Allies. Nevertheless, Germany is watching closely every phase of “ this shameless British violation of law and order as well as the French reaction to it.” A French communique issued in Beirut says the British continued the offensive throughout the night by land and sea, but up to the morning the enemy’s attacks everywhere were held, . and counter-attacks were made at certain points and landings hindered. Another message states that the. penetration of our forces into Syria is progressing. By this morning they were beyond Tyre, and later effected a crossing of the River Litani. On the right they advanced beyond the general line of Esra-Sheikh-Mis-kine-Quinetra. The Allied troops in Syria, supported on the left flank by the British Navy and elsewhere by numerous planes, are advancing from the coast into the heart of the desert, says the Independent French Agency’s Jerusalem correspondent. The advance is • continuing according to plan. No big engagement is reported. The troops are abundantly motorised and. provided with tanks, armoured cars, and other suitable equipment. Brigadier * Le ■ Gentilhomme, heading- the French section, and General Catroux are keeping closely in touch with all movements. The British United Press correspondent states that the Australians formed' the spearhead of the advance from Palestine. They were most cheerful as they moved up to the frontier by motor convoy from camouflaged camps. The Free French radio in the Levant announced that 140 German parachutists, including a colonel, were captured in Syria. The German-controlled Paris radio states .that the British attack was particularly violent south of Damascus where the British have concentrated 150 tanks and armoured cars.' It is reported from Istanbul that the British Mediterranean Fleet is bombarding Syrian Tripoli. A Vichy message states that M. Pietri handed Sir Samuel Hoare a note from, the Vichy Government protesting to Britain against violation of Syria. A, message from Berne states that several units of the French Fleet stationed at Toulon have been ordered to be ready to sail at a moment’s notice. There is no confirmation of the report from French sources that British troops have landed on the coast of Lebanon and that they were taken prisoners.