THE COASTAL ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24633, 14 June 1941, Page 9

THE COASTAL ROAD

AUSTRALIAN ADVANCE NEAR OUTSKIRTS OF SIDON FIERC£ FIGHTING REPORTED . LONDON, June 12. . Semi-official circles in Ankara assert that the Allies occupied . Damascus , late to-day. Military despatches from Syria to Vichy declare that the Australians, operating on the coastal road, fought their way almost to the outskirts of Sidon, where fierce fighting is progressing, both sides suffering losses. The situation elsewhere has undergone only minor changes, particularly in the region of Damascus, where there is heavy fighting in the vicinity, of Kdsweb. A Jerusalem message reports that Haifa and Tel-Aviv were both raided early this morning. There were some casualties, but no serious damage. It is authoritatively stated that our forces in Syria operating on the coastal road are six or seven miles southward of Sidon. Capture of Fortress The Australians’ capture of Kayam fortress was the prelude to the fall of Merj lyun states the special correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph News Agency with the forces in Syria. He adds: ‘Merj lyun was well defended by a miniature Maginot Line. The Australians opened an attack at 8 a.m. against Khayam, which was a key position in the defences, and soon a tremendous explosion blasted the air when the fortress ammunition dump was hit. Tanks immediately went into action, and the Australians took the fort by 10.30 a.m. in spite of a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire. Reports from Cairo state that the R.A.F. drove off enemy bombers attempting to interfere with Allied columns. Columns Converging I Vichy claims that General Dentz’s i forces are fighting the British at Abukamal. but the Turkish radio says a British armoured column advanced from Abukamal and occupied the important modern airfield of Deirezzor, while a second armoured column, which is advancing parallel to the. Syrian-Turkish border, passed south of Rawelain and is still moving on. The Turkish announcer suggested that these two columns may converge and continue the advance towards Aleppo In force. A British Official Wireless message itates: In Syria the advance along the coast road is continuing. Our forces ■re on the outskirts of Sidon. A advancing inland is approaching the outskirts of Damascus. •Vichy Exaggerates its Losses It i* pointed out that Vichy, either at the instance of Germany or on its own account, appears to be exaggerating its losses—possibly with a view io embittering the struggle. Obviously, it is in German interests that Britain: and Vichy should become em-

broiled in war, and one way of ensuring this is apparently to exaggerate Vichy’s resistance and the severity of the fighting. Misled by incorrect information with regard to the objects of our penetration. Vichy troops offered resistance in certain areas, obliging us to use force to prevent obstruction to our advance. When these men had been overrun many expressed sympathy with the Allied object of preserving Syria from German penetration.