EBB & FLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1941, Page 6

EBB & FLOW

BATTLES ON THE SYRIAN FRONT FIERCEST FIGHTING IN CENTRE SOME POSITIONS CHANGE HANDS. ALLIES NEAR DAMASCUS ON WEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. Noon.) JERUSALEM, Juno 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 on the central sector around Jezzin and Merjiyun,” says the Australian official war correspondent. “The battle line in the central sector fluctuates backwards and forwards as small mobile and armoured forces of either side make sudden attacks and counter-attacks.

“Merjiyun was occupied by the Australians five days ago and which was smoking under shellfire from the Vichy guns yesterday, is 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 the 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 two lateral roads against flank attacks while the position in the central sector is being consolidated. Further eastward, El Quneitra again came into the hands of the Vichyites this morning, after an attack by forces which included tanks and armoured cars.”

It was authoritatively stated in Jerusalem tonight that the Allies have recaptured Merjiyun and El Quneitra. It was added that the fighting in Syria is becoming tougher. The Allies are now at Mezze. three miles westward of Damascus, while from Jebel Madam the Free French arc maintaining pressure against the Kiswe-Damascus Road. The Allies, in re-taking Ezra, captured 150 prisoners.