ASSAULT ON DAMASCUS FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY AWAITED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 19 June 1941, Page 6

ASSAULT ON DAMASCUS FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY AWAITED

Indians and Free French Forces Ready (Rec. 2 p.m.) Rugby, June 17. Only a favourable opportunity is awaited to throw in Indians and Free French forces to assault Damascus, states an agency report. These forces, according to this report, have reached the western suburb of the city. Vichy troops are delaying the assault on the city by heavy shelling of the road. Colonel Collet and Circassians are reported to be closing in on the city. Vichy troops were still holding out at Ezze, but Allied troops, including Indians, are reported to be pushing along the main road past Kiswe and to the east in the mountainous district of Jabour Atrizo.—B.O. W.

! Vichy troops have increased their j resistance and has resulted in abandon ment of the Allied kidglove policy in many areas in Syria. Despite Vichy’s I throwing in all reserves in an effort to j stem the Allied advance, our corrective I action was most successful and while j the necessity -to clean up Vichyite I mobile parties slowed up the investment 'of Damascus, more decisive action ; around the capital is expected at any i moment. j Accounts from Beirut declare that ini creasingly powerful elements, particui larly artillery, are operating on both sides and a war of movement is raging fiercely between the coast and Jebel Druse, with heavy fighting, particularly along the lines of communication and crossroads in the Allied rear. Counter-thrusts by Vichy troops are claimed to have reached the Palestine frontier. East of Hermon. according to Vichy reports, there was a melee of infantry, cavalry, and armoured units in which the initiative shuttle-cocked between one side and the other. Air forces on both sides were most active. —U.P.A.