GERMANS IN IRAQ

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 5

GERMANS IN IRAQ

NOT MANY YET British Raiding Route ONLY 50 ENEMY ’PLANES CROSS SYRIA. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, May 19. A Middle East R.A.F. report stated:—ln Syria, bombing attacks were made on Palmyra -aerodrome, where there was a large German transport aircraft. The Damascus aerodrome and Rayak were also bombed and machine-gunned. Raids were also made on the Raschid aerodrome at Iraq. A number of fires started at Calato aerodrome on Rhodes, as the result o£ a raid .carried out on the night of May 17/18. From all these operations, one of our aircraft is missing.”

British Reinforcements

ON IRAQ FRONT. SHOULD KEEP GERMANS OUT. (Received May 20, 5.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 19. “The Times” anticipates that the surrender, of the Amba Alagi forces will mean the end of Italian resistance in Abyssinia. “The Times” says: The consequent release of seasoned Imperial forces there will be the most important outcome.” .“The Times” stresses that Iraq will be the chief new commitment. It finds grounds for confidence in the fact that the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm have already taken strong action both in Iraqi and in Syria. It continues: “Germany will doubtless attempt to make all possible use of such portions of the Iraqi Army as adhere to the cause of Raschid Ali, but, even with the aid of the German bombers, it • to be doubted whether these troops have the slightest interest in the conflict forced upon them, or will prove of much value to her.”

“The Times” contrasts the difficulties attending the transport of German troops to Iraq with Britain’s ability to reinforce her troops through the Persian Gulf. It adds: “If we can dispose of enough warships to make the Levant too dangerous for the enemy, and of enough aircraft to deny him free communication across Syria, and also of enough equipment to enable us to use our troops to the best possible advantage in Iraq, it will not be a matter of great difficulty to keep the Germans out.”

BRITISH CAPTURE TOWN.

LONDON, May 20.

The British forces have captured an Iraq town, on the road to Baghdad. 12 miles from the crossing of the River Euphrates. Royal Air Force ’planes co-operated in the capture.

Bombing of Syrian ’Drome

FRENCH A.A. GUNS REPLY TO R.A.F.

(Received May 20, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 20

The “Daily Express's’’ Beirut correspondent says that French antiaircraft defences on May 18, fired on British ’planes bomhing the Rayak airfield. The ’planes were not hit. Syrian Frontier MAIN FRENCH FORCES WITHDRAWN. (Received May 20, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. The British United Press Cairo correspondent says that, according to reliable reports, the main French forces on the Syrian frontier have been withdrawn. Syrian, Palestinian and Moroccan troops, however, are continuing to patrol the frontier. Civilian residents have been evacuated from the villages near the borier. British Action in Syria INHABITANTS FEAR IT WILL BE BATTLEFIELD. (Received Mav 20, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. The Jerusalem correspondent of “The Times” says: The Vichy Government’s readiness to sell independence of French mandated territories in the Middle East caused consternation in Syria and Lebanon, where there is great apprehension lest the country shall now become a battlefield. The public had not been informed that Britain has made an announcement that she is taking measures against German airmen in Syria, but news of this was picked up secretly, and quickly passed on.

FRENCH OFFICERS PRO-BRITISH

(Received May 21, 1.25 a.m.)

LONDON, May 20. According to ’an independent French News Agency, fifty officers and non-commissioned officers at Rayak have been placed under close arrest, owing to their pro-British tendencies.