PAGE 4 HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
IN
FIERCE BATTLES RAGING IN
SYRIA MOUNTAINS
SYRIA ISSUE
GENERAL
Eighty-Three Enemy Ships Sunk By R.A. F. Bombers In
The
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1941
SOUTH OF SUWEIDA NAZI BLIND Campaign Against Shipping RIGHT Label is-
BRITISH ADVANCING ON DAMASCUS ROAD: R.A.F. GIVING FULL
FULL SUPPORT
VICHY, JUNE 9 (REUTER)—FIERCE BATTLES IN SYRIA ARE GOING ON IN THE MOUNTAINS of Djebel - Drus Just south of Suweida, state the first despatches from the Comman- der of the Vichy troops, General Dentz. Suweida is about 20 miles from Syria's frontler with Transjordan and some 35 miles south-south-east of. Damaseus
General Dentz's headquarters are at Befrut and the first communique from there announces that the RAF. bombed the aerodrome at. Mezze, near Damascus, yesterday morning causing damage but no casualties
British troops attacked
(Reuter)
a
LONDON, June 9 (Reuter) The Air Ministry announced yes-
FOR ATTACK terday further blows by the R. A. F. Bomber Command on Saturday
ON EGYPT?
ANKARA, June 9 (Reuter) Well-informed circles here are wondering whether the German provocation in Syria is not design- ed to distract the British while the main attack on Egypt is launched from Libya.
It is pointed out that air-borne troops would be useless in Syria in face of the heavy tanks which the British are able to bring into a Bon while the task of supplying
in the three-months old daylight campaign against enemy shipping from Norway to the Mediterránea n
It was already announced that a convoy of supply ships off the Dutch coast was attacked during the morning and that two ships were set afire and probably destroyed. Other vessels in this convoy were damaged
SAVAGE GERMAN AIR ATTACK
closed, bomb, and machine-gun at- Later in the day, it is also dis-
tacks were again made or ap escorted supply ship off the Nor- westap coast and other vessels in a convoy of the Dutch,coast. large submerged wreck off Ter-
A salvage ship lying beside a ON ALEXANDRIA
schelling and surrounded by anti-
the Germans in Syria, wou'd be ex-aircraft ships was bombed and
tremely hard owing to the pro- ximity of numerous British bases.
air
Therefore, the Turks argue, the British should take over Syria quickly as possible before the Ger man preparations for a Libyan attack is complete.
the River Euphrates, according to southern frontier of Syria and Vichy report.
WILSON IN "COMMAND Lebanon from 3:40 am, the com- munique states and contact was LONDON, June 9 made "with our advarice posts General Sir Henry Maitland Wu- which engaged the enemy in ac-son General Officer Commanding cordance with the tasks assigned in Palestine. is in charge of the troops from Greece and Bulgaris whole Syrian operation in which mainly to Moldavia, and military Allea tops are supported by experts express the opinion that aircraft and include British. Aust will take the Germans at least tralians. Indians and Free French. a month to build up armies in it is learned in London yesterday, these arens to their former
them."
BRITISH COMMUNIQUE LONDON, June 9 British Wire less)The entry of British troops Into Syria is mentioned in & com- munique by the British GHQ. in Cairo in the following terms
"Early this morning.
forces under the command
PETAIN'S APPEAL VICHY. June 9 Reuter Mar-
message Alited Shal Petain, In
3
to of Frenchmen in Syria. calls on them General Wilson crossed the ran to "Eght in a just cause and for der into Syria with the object of the integrity of territory untrusted eliminating German personnel and to France by history."
influence from certain areas in
HURRIED CONFERENCE LONDON, June 9 (Reuter)
which they are securing a demin- ating position through continued Marshal Petain and Admiral Dar- infiltration
soon
lan hurriedly conferred as "If allowed to proceed, the un-as Dews of the advance intu checked "establishment of German Syris reached Vichy, states Rome bases In these areas
might en Radio. danger the security of the Allied. situation in the Middle East and lead to the Arab countries being seized by Axis Powers
"It is hoped to
this task "
fited by the withdrawal of German Turkey's own position is bene
strength. :
N.E.I. WARNED
AGAINST “INSINCERITY"
གཡཾནི་
Matsuoka Drafting New Instructions
set on fire.
Two British bombers
were hotly engaged by German
the way back, One fighters on enemy fighter was damaged.
Residential Quarters Severely Damaged
ALEXANDRIA, June 9 (Reuter)-- While British and Free French forces entered Syris, the Ger- nians launched their second'spvage air attack on Alexandria, subject- ing the city to yet another viel-: ous all-night biltz
83 SHIPS SUNK Eighty-three snips have been sunk in daring low-level attacks months, it is officially announced. by RAF. bombers in the past three
commander-in-Chief
Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse.
Nazi squadrons swooping to al- Bomber Command, in a special ered heavy explosive and incen-
of the
Order of the Day. congratulated diary bombs far and wide,
most suicidally low altitudes show-
lots on Saturday on their sucing death
cess.
Aircraft of the Fighter, Dom- mand yesterday carried out. offensive patrols over the Straits of Dover and occupied territory.
Three British bombers and one fighter are missing from Satur day's daylight operations.
BREST ATTACK
The R.A.F. attack on Saturday night on the German naval base at Brest was described by the Air Ministry as successfully carried! TOKYO, June 9. (Keuter? out in spite of sea fog which made Official circles here continue to observation difficult, and many maintain the utmost reserve re- sticks of bombs were dropped garding the N.EL. crisis,
across the docks
Coastal Command aircraft at- tacked the docks and shipping at Bergen during the night,
PROCLAMATIONS CAIRO, June S (Reuter)-The British advance has been follow-
It is reported, however, without ed by the issue of a number of official confirmation, that Mr. secure both proclamations, namely, (1) from Matsuoka French and Arah co-operation General de Gaulle to the French instruction to the Japanese Dele- intends to send fresh orces in the Levant and another gation within a few days thus from General Sir 'Archibald Wavell to the French forecs., and tact between the Japanese
paving the way for further con- ( from General Catroux to the Dutch Delegations. troops and people of the Levant respectively
FULL AIR SUPPORT
of to
A special K.A.F Middle East communique states. "Aircraft the R.A.F. gave full support
Allied the British Imperial and troops which crossed into Syria at dawn today.
"Fighter aircraft which patrol led the sky over our advancing troops met with no opposition.”
FRENCH FORCES:
liberation of
•
11
an-
No British bombers were lost
caus-
and destruction at several polits in the city,
Considerable damage was done in European and Arab residential quarters alike, and it is feared that hundreds were killed and injured.
Fires were started but they were promptly controlled."
The main attack developed in the port area where a number of planes zoomed through a veritable hell of Bre put up by British and: Greek warships
Amidst an inferno of screaming. and exploding shells, the enemy seemed determined to press home the attack but failed to hit a war- ship or any military objectives.
The roaring of anti-aircraft gun- Bre died, away towards dawn when Alexandria's heaviest and most sustained rait came to an end
ROYAL NAVY UNITS LAND TROOPS ON LEBANON COAST.
VICHY, June 9 (Reuter)-An announcement that British warships landed a detachment of troops: armed with tommy guns on the coast of Lebanon south of Beirut yesterday morning was made last night by the Vichy news agency.
The British naval forces, adds the agency, consisted of ote battleship, two cruisers and five destroyers which had been pre- viously seen ervising off Beirut.
The nature of the new instruc- tion could not be determined but General de Gaulle's proclama-
nevertheless their importance 15 tion SEYS: "Officers, N.C.O.'s. foreshadowed by the reports that soldiers. sailors and airmen of the Mr. Matsuoka Levant: Now is the hour to resume these after full consultations with intends to draft the fight for the France. I have appointed General Ministries and other Government the Navy and Overseas Affairs
Catroux representative and com-departments concerned. France is thought to have about mander-in-chief of the Free
PRESS WARNING 45.000 troops in Syria of whoni French forces in the Levant. You
Meanwhile, the "Army organ. cne-third to a quarter are white, are to obey his orders. This time Kokumin
The agency asserts that the troops were "promptly taken Shimbun, voiced thers are Senegalese, Algerians, we shall get them
and France other warning to
prisoner " N.E.I. urging Tunisians, Syrians, Lebanese and will win the war. 'A bientot,
The latest position of the fight- the Dutch Colony to drop
pro- possibly some Indo-Chinese.
crastinating tactics and to waken in Syria is given by the Vichy. It is belleved that the French LONDON, June 9 (Reuter) - from the foolish dream that its agency. It says: "Strong motoris- Forces have & certain number of General Wavell justifies the Bri- interests can
ed and armoured detachments of be served best by tanks and there is a
British and Gaullist troops, sap- small atr
tish action by declaring that Syria expanding military defences
ported by artillery, are attempting force about 100-machines.
and Lebanon are the "first stage" against Japan.
to advance along the road leading LINE OF ADVANCE
in the German conquest of French It adds that Japan will be forced
from the Syrian frontier to CAIRO, Jupe 9. (Reuter-The colonies.
to reconsider her relations with
Damascus. Our troops of all arms, likely line of advance. is the most
whom this 'unprecedented attack natural one along the coast road through Saida or Beirut.
ACTION JUSTIFIED
"We have come in considerable the N.E.I. in a different light, if
force and any resistance on your Batavia persists in maintaining has not taken unawares, are part would be useless." added "an Insincere and haughty bravely doing their duty.”
It is known that the French General Wavell.. have some blocks on the road
but it is uncertain whether these
are
front,"
real military obstacles or British Move Against Syria Taken In The Nick Of Time
merely traffic control blocks such as were well-known to those tra- velling in France in wartime.
Some
The French in Syria were de- prived of many of their weapons by the Armistice Commission, but it is known that they have some tanks and armoured cars, "Allied troops
nave made progress m Syria although it is not known whether opposition has heen encountered or what are the reactions of the French,
Authoritative circles are without any very definite news of the situation.
CAIRO, June 9 (Renter)-The move by the British and Free French to prevent the Germans assuming control of Syria and turning it into a battle-ground was taken in the nick of time as evidence was accumulating of growing, German infiltration;
It is understood that General Dentz, the French High Com- missioner in Syria, was recently informed by Vichy that a Ger man Mission would arrive at Aleppo about June '15 to take over control and the administration of the Aleppo district.
LINE OF ATTACK British and Free French forces are attacking Syria, along a line stretching from Merj Ayoum, near the Lebanese coast to the southern point of Djebel Druz country, ac cording to military quarters in Vichy.
There is no continuous front.but the Alles are attempting to ad- vance in single-columns at widely separated points.
The seriousness of such an ad- opportunity to enter into relations dumps, according to a second com on required no emphasis.
INDIAN TROOPS THANKED
HAILE SELASSIE'S SPECIAL MESSAGE
BIMLA, June 9 (Reuter) Haile Selassie has sent a special and personal message of thanks to the Indian divisions which so greatly helped in overthrowing Itailan
rule in Abyssinia,
The message says: "I am weli aware of the sympathy which the Indian public and Press has showL to my people throughout the years of their misfortune and oppression and I am grateful for it.
"am
even more 'grateful for the magnificent part which The RAF, today, ralded Beirut, Indian troops recently" played the
chief
Syria part in
and in the liberation of my coun- Lebanon, setting fire to the oll try.
"Their training in mountain war- with the sterling bloc
"munique issued by General Deniz's fare enabled them at Keren, and There seems a good probability, headquarters at Beirut. It was also learned that early in
afterwards at Amba Alagi, to scale May General Huntziger informed that Syria, disgusted with the It says: "British troops con- precipitous heights and capture General Denta that Admiral Dar-Germans and tired of Vichy, will tinued their attack in the south positions which seemed impreg- SOUTHERLY MARCH
lan, in the course of his conversa accept the proffered independence throughout the day. Our forces nable. LONDON, June 8 (Reuter)
tion with Hitler, had conceded air and help the Free French to drive are defending themselves bri Hant-
MARKED COURAGE British troops in Syrla are bases in Syria to the Germans and the Germans from the country. ly along the whole line.
"Their courage in the face of marching t a southerly direc- Genera; Dentz was asked to report.. LAMPSON'S, ASSURANCE
"Three enemy aircraft have been the enemy, superior in numbers tion, according to a Vichy Govern- for the information of the Dis-
CAIRO, June 9 (Reuter)-The brought down and several armour-and armed with the most modern ment announcement quoted by armament Commission, whether British Ambassador,
led vehicles were destroyed. Bir Miles
weapons, excited the admiration the German, radio.
this was likely to cause trouble intampson, has issued an authorised
"Beirut was bombed at 3.30 pm, of all who know what they have “Strong motorised and armoured the Syrian detachments" of British and Free suggest how the position could be the peoples of Syria and Lebanon two small oil storage tanks were of the Indian divisions which
Army, and if so, to announcement intimating that if and 6.30 p.m. The first rald was done,
without result, but in the second "I wish to express to all ranks French troops, supported by ar- overcome, tillery, are encountering resistarice General Denta suggested in reply would be lifted from their country,
hit, causing a small are, on the road to Damascus, accord-that the aerodrome should be used that they would immediately be Damascus), Neras and Rayak were thanks of my country, myself and fought in the campaign for, the "Aerodromes of Mezze (near freedom of my country the sincere enabled to enter the sterling blos bombed but no serious damage was my people." and would be assured of all adyan
(ca used." Walle not under-estimating the tages belonging to free countries VICHY, June 9 (Reuter)-The
The message was signed.on May of the declaration associated with Britain,
FLEET, ON MOVE R.A.F. yesterday twice ralded 'importance
30 by, the Emperor himself seated granting liberty and independence Beirut, setting fire to oll dumps.
VICHY, June 9 (Reuter) The at his writing table in the magni- to Syria and Lebanon, the econo- 'An RAF Middle
aircraft carriers. Ark nicent stone palace built for the NAZI PLANES FLY qunique states that fighter air-mie provisions of the British and craft intercepted and shot down Free French, declarations are at-
OVER SYRIA
torpedo boats and submarines, left PRINCE BERNHARD & Cant, 100 bombers over Alexan-most paralysed, exports and im-
ANKARA, June 9 (Reuter) Ger. Gibraltar for the Mediterranean Aria and
the aircraft crashed ports falling to a minimum "and
hampered by grave exchange dir-man planes are rumoured to have at dawn yesterday morning, says a OTTAWA, June 9 (Reuter)——— near Agome.”
ficulties, while all has ceased to been seen flying very high oyer dispatch from Lalinea
Prince Bernhard of the Nether- FROM IRAQ
run through the pipe line to Syria. Hatal, in south-western Turke that 10 merchant ships coming from England for a fortnight's It is also reported from Latinea lands arrived here, mexpectedly LONDON, June. 9 (Reuter) --
declarations contain a by night towards Aleppo British troops are saso, ndvanding promise of economic revival with
They were outside the range of from the Mediterranian anchored visit to Princess · Julietis and his inte, Byria from Iraq along the the lifting of the blockade and an anti-aircraft nins, the reports add at Gibraltar yesterday.
two daughtera.
ing to the Vichy agency.
BEIRUT BOMBED
East
com-
·
by the Germans in transit."
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