VICHY OPPOSITION STRONGER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 19 June 1941, Page 5

VICHY OPPOSITION STRONGER

FIERCE FIGHTING IN CENTRAL SECTOR SYRIAN TOWNS CHANGE HANDS (Rec. noon.) Jerusalem, June 18. Though the weight of the Vichy force in Syria now seems to be concentrating on the coast to meet the threat from the Australian column pushing up through Sidon, the fiercest fighting is taking place in the central sector around Jezzin and Merj Iyun, say 3 the Australian Official War Correspondent in the battle line.

The central sector fluctuates backwards and forwards as the small mobile and armoured forces of either side make sudden attacks and counter-attacks. Merj Iyun, which was occupied by the Australians five days ago and which was smoking under shell fire from the Vichy guns yesterday, was in the defenders’ hands again this morning. However the important post of Jezzin, ten miles further north at the end of the vital road from Sidon, is still held by Australians. Between these points a confused series of battles is being fought. Meanwhile the coastal column has practically halted three miles past Sidon, although patrols are probing some distance ahead towards Yarouti. Its function at present is to guard the two lateral roads against flank attacks, while the position in the central sector is consolidated.

Further eastward Elquneitra again came into the hands o£ the Vichy troops in the morning after an attack by forces which included tanks and armoured cars.

It is authoritatively stated in Jerusalem to-night that the Allies recaptured Merj Iyun and Elqneitra. It is added that the fighting in Syria is becoming tougher. The Allies are now at Mezze. three miles westward of Damascus, while from Jebelmadani the Free French are maintaining pressure against Kiswe on the Damascus road. The Allies in re-taking Ezra captured 150 prisoners.—U.P.A.