OCCUPATION OF FRANCE

Grey River Argus, 17 November 1942, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF FRANCE

Rising Proves Abortive J Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) • LONDON, November 15. A-Vichy communique states that the German and 1 Italian occupation of the unoccupied zone should not affect the French Government’s sovereignty or the administration’s unity. The police and administrative services will continue to fulfil their functions under the sole authority of the French Government. Marshal Petain and M. Laval have announced that they intend to remain in office and continue the former policy. 1

An attempt to set up a 1 rebel army in formerly unoccupied France, to fight the Axis, is admitted in a Viphjf communique'. It says: “General Lattre de Tassigny. commander of a military region, aftex- learning that General Giraud. had "gone to Africa, abandoned his post last Sunday, and took several officers and men and two guns, intending to form a dissident unit in France. After moving about the country, fTassiguy learned ’ of the Government’s measures to preserve order, and he sun rendered to the police. Tassigny intended becoming Chief of the General Staff of the French rebel forces. He will be couxT-martialled.” The < Berne correspondent Of the “Ne'w York Times” says: Reports from France indicate that Tassigny’s uprising was too improvised to be successful, but it appears that resistance against German occupation is rapidly increasing "throughout the country, also that a large part of the Army i.s deeply resenting M. Laval’s insinuations against Giraud’s honour.

A Geneva report says that the unconcealed hatred of the French people .towards the German troops was demonstrated in the St. Etienne district, Where the .first vehicles of the German motorised column was blown up by a mine, killing five Germans and blocking the road. “The political situation in France and French Africa still needs clarification,” states an agency message. The Paris radio asserts that no members of the Vichy Cabinet will present theii' resignations to Marshal Petain, but Admiral Darlqn remains at Algiers, where, according to the Vichy radio, General Nogues, has arrived bv air. He) and Admiral Darlan completed the negotiations with the Americans.

ROUND-UP BY GERMANS LONDON. Nov. 15. The Germans have ordered the arrest of all close collaborators of Admiral Darlan in Vichy, and are rounding Un hundreds of political refugees in southern France. German frontier guards fired on people attempting to get into Switzerland.

French Fleet

1 LONDON, November’ 15 Admiral Laborde, Commander of the Toulon naval squadron, has taken the oath of allegiance to Marshal Petain, says the Vichy radio. Naval crews at Toulon are< confined to the shins. Reuter’s correspondent savs that naval circles at Allied Headquarters still believe the French Fleet will come to the Allies, not because! of any liking for them, but because of dislike of the Axis. The French are nroud of their fleet and the last thing thev are expected to do. is to scutle it.

TOULON QUIET. OCCUPIED BY FRENCH FORCES. (Rec. 11.5.) LONDON, Nov. 16. The Vichy radio states: The situation in Toulon remains calm. A large number of French trooos have arrived to occuov the " Toulon fortified region. FRENCH NAVALS. (Rec. 1i.5) LONDON. Nov. 16. The German News Agencv states that nil French admirals, officers and members of the crews of French warships have taken an oath of alleg:ance to Marshal Petain.

APPEAL TO ITALIANS

To Join Allies [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, November 15. The United States Assistant-Secre-tary of State (Mr Berle) has broadcast an appeal to the neople of Italy to throw off their Nazi /and Fascist masters, and re-enter the brotherhood of civilisation. He said that the United Nations are now within gunshot of the Italian shore, and in this new military situation Italy must decide whether she will exhaust her remaining men,' as a servant of the decaying Nazi State, or rescue herself by revolution, from the slavery into 1 which she was delivered by bullies and cowards. He added that the United Nations did not .contemplate punitive ’ peace. Their aim was justice, not revenge, and Italy’s nationhood was _guaranteed by the Atlantic Charter.'

The defeat of Italian and German armies in Egypt has caused a deep depression in Italy. Reports reaching London say secret societies are again active. Anti-German feeling can be observed everywhere, and demands are being made for Italy’s withdrawal from the war. Many noncommissioned officers and soldiers have been arrested in Naples and Milan. Those arrested have been shackled and transported to concentration camps. Rush of German Forces INTO ITALY. (Rec. 11.55.) LONDON, Nov. 16. A traveller, who has arrived from' Ankara, states that scores of trainloads of German soldiers are now reaching Italy every day. Some of the soldiers have come directly from the Russian front.

ANOTHER RAID ON ITALY (Rec. 9.10.) BERNE, Nov. 16. There were two air raid alerts here on Sunday night. This is usually a prelude to a raid on Italy by the Royal Air Force. Late on Sunday night the R.A.F. made a concentrated attack on Genoa. Good weather favoured the raid. All th e bombers returned. (Rec. 11.55.) LONDON, Nov. 16. On Sunday night, for the fourth time within ten days, Royal ■ Air Force home-based bombers attacked Genoa. No , aircraft were lost. The weather was'good. The attack was concentrated. Only six bombers have been lost in the four raids on Genoa.