NAVAL CLASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25069, 10 November 1942, Page 3

NAVAL CLASH

BATTLE OFF CASABLANCA VICHY ANNOUNCEMENTS (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8. The Vichy News Agency to-night reported that a naval battle was raging off Casablanca. The Berlin radio announced that the French Fleet left Toulon in the afternoon to fight British naval units. The French warships at Toulon included the Dunkerque, the Strasbourg, the old battleship Provence, the heavy cruisers Algerie, Colbert, Foch, and Dupliex. and four other cruisers, a number of destroyers, submarines, and auxiliary vessels attended by seaplanes. The Vichy radio stated that only the battleship Nelson and a few destroyers were still in Gibraltar at noon, and there was intense activity over the straits. Arzeu. which Vichy says has been largely occupied, is a port and military station, and Safi is an important wool and grain port. . . Authoritative circles in Vichy characterise as pure . trickery the message from General Giraud broadcast from an unknown station on the same wavelength as the Algiers radio, but General Giraud’s broadcast is regarded in London as genuine. Fighting French circles say a revolt in Morocco would be natural, although no confirmation of this so far has reached General de Gaulle's headquarters in London. The official Vichy statement says an insurrectionary movement was suppressed at Casablanca, and General Bethouard, who participated in the rising, had been arrested. All troops except one battalion were loyal to Marshal Petain. Casablanca was severely attacked by dive-bombers. The Vichy radio says’ attacks against Casablanca were repulsed. The Rabat radio reported that a local revolt broke out last night in Morocco under the pretext that the Americans were on the point of making a general landing in North Africa. The revolt was totally quelled by 8.30 a.m. without bloodshed. The ringleaders were arrested and a state of siege proclaimed. General Nogues has taken over the defence. He informed Marshal Petain that Morocco will not fail in its duty and will defend itself. According to the Vichy radio, General Nogues. in a message to Vichy, declared that the revolt was checked

after several difficult hours. General Lascrous, commander of the Moroccan Army, and General la Houlle, commander of the air force, who mutinied and were arrested, have been liberated and resumed their commands.

The Vichy radio announced that the French Government decree bans all meetings throughout France. The Berlin radio describes the landings' in North Africa as a shameless breach of international law. It said: “President Roosevelt seeks the French colonial empire for the United States because he lacks the strength for a second front in Europe.” AMERICAN FORCES TWO OR THREE DIVISIONS A RAID ON VICHY REPORTED (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 9. It is estimated that the American landing force in North Africa consists of between two and three divisions. The troops were transported in two convoys, the first of which consisted of 30 transports. The Vichy radio says French and American tanks clashed outside Algiers before hostilities were suspended. The enemy’s modern machines, supported by planes and heavy artillery, outclassed the French tanks. The Vichy radio also says it is reported from La Linea that powerful searchlights illuminate the Gibraltar landing ground, where many planes are landing and taking off. Heavy rain is falling in the straits. An American naval squadron late yesterday afternoon appeared in Algiers Bay, the Vichy radio says. The squadron consisted of a battleship, a cruiser, and two destroyers, which shelled Cape MaUfou for a considerable time; after which the squadron sailed to the east and shelled Saint Eugen and the battery at Des Anglais. The sky over the area was darkened by clouds of smoke. The Berlin radio asserted that British planes twice raided Vichy, and anti-aircraft batteries replied. The Berne correspondent of the New York Times says American correspondents at Vichy were notified tonight that they would no longer be granted the status of journalists. Simultaneously, their cable, telephone and wireless communications were severed.

The Berlin radio says that divebombers attacking Casablanca hit four submarines and also the battleship Jean Bart.