SYRIAN COAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 9

SYRIAN COAST

AUSTRALIAN ADVANCE

STIFFER RESISTANCE

FULL-SCALE OPERATIONS (Heed. 11.15 p.m.) , LONDON, June 18

The steady progress of the Australians on the Syrian coast ha 3 carried them to Nahrelauly, and they are now within 20 miles of Beirut.

Increased opposition by the Vichy forces in Syria has committed the Allies to full-scale military operations. Vichy armoured columns are counter-attack-ing on a \\ude front, and it is officially claimed in Vichy that Merjiyun has been retaken.

A military spokesman in Jerusalem said that in the vicinity of Merjiyun Vichy raiding parties, supported by tanks, had succeeded in slipping south between the Allied columns. Fighting Around Damascus The Allies are now fighting within six miles of Damascus. There havo been no parleys in the past two days for the peaceful surrender of Damascus. The resistance of the Vichy forces does not, however, exceed that on which the Allies reckoned. Vichy resistance has been reinforced by troops from Northern Syria. A Free French column is now reported to be moving north-east in & flanking operation against Damascus. The military spokesman in Jerusalem said to-day that Allied lorces had now occupied advantageous heights north and north-east ot Kiswe, which is ten miles from Damascus. South of Damascus Vichy forces recaptured three points on the Allied lines of communications. As a result of a counter-attack one of the points has been recaptured, and operations are in progress at the remaining two points. It is emphasised in London tlia.il naval operations supporting the military advance in Syria have been a! most continuous. Therefore, it is to be expected that the ships may hare r<* oeived hits from field guns ashore, or from Vichy light forces operating fronS Beirut. French Destroyer Sunk It is officially announced in Vichy; that a French destroyer has been sunk » off Syria. Although the Allied forces are making steady progress on the coastal seotor in Syria and have captured several further positions in the Kiswe area, strong counter attacks by Vichy troops have been launched at Merjiyun and El Kuneitra. Allied reinforcements are now approaching both these places, where heavy fighting is continuing. A Cairo message states that the situation at Merjiyun is well in hand*

SIDON'S WELCOME

THE AUSTRALIAN TROOPS

(Reed. 7.10 p.m.) JERUSALEM, June 17 Four days and nights of battle and naval bombardment of its outskirts have left little trace on Sidon, the most important town of southern Lebanon, says the (Australian official war correspondent. Outside the town native soldiers lie dead in little huddled groups. Sidon itself is practically undamaged and its townspeople are going about their daily work as usual. The Australian soldiers who swarmed through the centre of the town were given a warm* welcome. The citizens had not much to offer except bananas and tomatoes, but what they had they showered upon the troops. A Syrian stated that, although the great majority of the townspeople undoubtedly welcomed the Australians and had always been opposed to the Vichy Government's decisions, there was still an element, mostly among the Moslems, who distrusted the British. This was caused by the German radio propaganda, which had been busily working in Syria. According to this man, the bulk of tho Vichy forces in the town were Algerians, Tunisians and soldiers of the Foreign Legion. Few civilians had been injured during thfe bombardment of the outskirts of the town, and the worst that most people had suffered had been a bad fright. The man added that the citizens had not been able to secure flour to make enough bread for months past, nnd the streets had been full ofi demonstrators, men, women and children marching up and down shouting for bread. CANADA UNITED STAND BESIDE BRITAIN » NOT RECKONING COSTS (Reed. 6.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Jnne IT Canada went to war by Britain's side because she believed it was the right side, said the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Mackenzie King, when addressing a gathering representing Canadian organisations in New York. He added: "It has been asserted that Canada is demanding cash payment for her aid to Britain. We have told Britain not to worry a bout her short age of Canadian- dollars, with the enemy at the gates. There will be time enough to reckon costs and credits once we know whether the world is enslaved or free. "Canada entered the war a united nation. Don't let anyone tell you thf,t French-speaking Canada is not on the side of freedom. The ancient partership between French and English speaking Canadians, sealed by brotherhood, equality and freedom, is honoured today as an unbroken bund of common patriotic sacrifice."

FREE ITALIANS

ANTI-FASCISTS IN EGYPT 1 LONDON", June 18 Italian aim-Fascist elements in Egypt. have formed a composite group of Free Italians, says the Daily -Telo grnph's Cairo correspondent. The Italian population in Egypt numbers 50.000. The new organisation aims to wean the Italian nation from Fascism, and also to spread the anti-Fascist; viewpoint amnug Italian prisoners of war.

REGENT OF ICELAND , (Reed 0.30 p.m.) . REYKJAVIK, June IS Dr. Sveinn Bjornsson, former Icelandic Minister to Denmark, has been elected Regent of Iceland by Parliament, and has pledged Iceland's co* operation with the democratic nations*