NAZI BOMBERS IN IRAQ

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 17 May 1941, Page 5

NAZI BOMBERS IN IRAQ

i There is no undue alarm here over . j the arrival of German bombers in Iraq. I ; Reinforcements of British and Imperial j ' troops have arrived in Iraq and Pales- j j tine. The position is described as one which can be and will be taken care of- \ It is pointed out in London that the French authorities in Syria are well ! aware of the British attitude concernj ing the arrival of German planes. There has also never been the slightest indication that the Arab leaders desire to support Raschid Ali. A communique issued by the Free French headquaiters in London declares that the arrival of German planes in Syria constitutes a breach of the armistice and expresses surprise tnat Marshal Petain could associate himself with a move against the former ally of France. The communique expresses the belief that the Marshal lias become the toy of ambitious Frenchmen and adds that the Free French declare before the whole world that Vichy does not represent France and that the Frencl people must not be associated with Vichy’s action. The view taken in London with regard to Marshal Petain is that he is a tired and worried old man under constant pressure from Germans and from some Frenchmen. ! I ; | j I

BASES IN SYRIA USED ESCORT OF FRENCH FIGHTERS REPORTED [British Official Wireless] London, May 16. German bombers, using Syrian air bases, have arrived in Iraq. The first announcement that German aircraft were passing through Syria was made in London yesterday. A Cairo message 'to-day says that most of the German planes which landed in Syria on their way to Iraq were bombers, though there may have been troop-carriers among them. An authoritative estimate gives the number at 30. They used two French airports in Syria, one near Beirut and the other at Aleppo. According to the Free French agency, the Nazi planes were escorted across Syria by French fighters. The Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, declared in the House of Commons that the Vichy Government cannot escape responsibility for this development and announced that the enemy aircraft will be attacked on the Syrian aerodromes. It i 3 learned in Cairo that Abdul Illah, the exiled Iraqi Regent, has gone to Basra from Amman, Transjordania. Bagdad radio said that Russia is allowing her pilots to volunteer to fight for Iraq. This is a “personal reprisal'' for the British help to Finland. Tfje German news agency says that the first group of Syrian volunteers has gone to Iraq. The Germans say preparations are under way to land more British troops and materials at Basra. According to the Ankara radio, 40,000 French troops are garrisoned in Syria. The French troops are pro-British.