Free French Troops Cross Into Syria

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 121, 23 May 1941, Page 7

Free French Troops Cross Into Syria

Lively Reactions in Garrisons MORE NAZI PLANES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 21. 'Free French troops are reportea to have penetrated Syria, states an Independent French Agency dispatch from the Syrian frontier. Their strength and the conditions under which they crossed the frontier are unknown. There are signs that the lively reactions among the French garrison in Syria may lead to support for General de Gaulle’s forces, although General Bcrgeret, Vichy Air Minister, who has been sent to Syria, is doing his utmost to stiffen resistance. A Haifa message states that more German planes have arrived at the Palmira and Damascus aerodromes. Eritish and Free French planes are reported to have bombed, without loss to themselves, parked German planes, leaving huge fires. The Cairo correspondent of The Times reports that the internal situation in Syria is becoming worse. The Beirut electric power station has broken down, putting out of action lights and tramways. Rationing, which is already severe, is being considerably tightened up. A systematic campaign of arrests has begun, roping in French officers, officials and Syrian politicians at Beirut and Damascus, who are suspected of sympathising with General de Gaulle. The Government has started mass dismissals and a political purge. A message from Jerusalem says that several French pilots flying their own machines have landed at a Palestine airport from Syria to join the Free French Forces.

A writer in the Turkish newspaper Yenisabah says: “It is Turkey’s duty to prevent Germany from establishing herself in Iraq and Syria. If Germany instals troops in Syria, Turkey will be in mortal danger and shall be forced to intervene. We must maintain contact with our British allies and keep open the road to the outside world.”

Other papers attack Vichy’s “ignominious role.” A Cairo headquarters communique says that in Iraq, following the capture of Falujah, a town on the Euphrates on the road to Baghdad, operations are continuing in the area to round uo rebel detachments. A number of prisoners have been taken. Habbinyah and Basra remain quiet An R.A.F. Middle East communique says: “In Iraq our position at Falujah has been consolidated. An enemy air attack was intercepted by our fighters on patrol and driven off. The aerodrome at Raschid was heavily bombed at dawn yesterday, and considerable damage was done to hangars and other buildings. German aircraft which raided Habbaniyah during the afternoon did some slight damage. Our fighters intercepted them, and it is believed that at least two machines were severely damaged. Two JU-52’s on the ground at Palmyra were bombed and damaged. At Damascus a few German aircraft were attacked, but the results could not be observed.”

High authorities at Vichy declared that if Britain continues to bomb French aerodromes in Syria, France will inevitably carry out reprisals.

The Moscow radio states that direct radio telegraph communication has been established between Rome and Baghdad.