1941-06-13 — Page 41

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 13, 1941.

ANZACS IN SIGHT OF BEIRUT

(By Reuter's Special War Correspondent

in the Syrian coastal sector)

SPORADIC RESISTANCE IS BEING GRAD- UALLY SMOTHERED BY AUSTRALIAN FORCES MARCHING TOWARDS BEIRUT AND AFTER TUESDAY'S BLITZ OVER THE LEONTES RIVER, WHERE A STIFF ENCOUN- TER WAS TURNED INTO AN AUSTRALIAN VICTORY, BEIRUT IS WELL IN SIGHT.

French non-combatants confirm British hopes that the Lebanon capital will not be too hard a nut to crack. No fortified lines or perimeters, they say, obstruct the route to Beirut and the port itself is completely un- fortified.

Between these non-combatants and their Australian captors there i is a total lack of animosity. They describe the conflict as "dull" but warn that the Frenchman's hon- our makes him fight

To this extent German pro- paganda has been working at top pressure, and they declare with seeming sincerity that there are no German troops In Syria.

A detachment of Australians landed among French troops hold. ing the north bank of the Leontes are best qualified to speak of the poilu's fighting qualities.

Run

New Technique

They tell of a new

technique which

the value of this weapon.

machine

increases

arc

Concentrated in horse shoe nesta of eight guns, they surrounded by swarms of trce snipers, and without long pre- paration and Intensive mortar attack, are impassable.

CALAIS

BATTERED

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"') BRITISH BOMBERS BATTER - ED THE PORT OF CALAIS FARLY YESTERDAY MORN ING, SHAKING THE GROUND ON THE ENGLISH SIDE OF THE CHANNEL.

The whole waterfront seemed to be covered with bomb blasts i as a terrifte A.A. barrage was put up by the Germans.

Advance Your Clock To-morrow Night

Although no official instruction has yet been given regarding the alteration of clocks for the daylight saving scheme, it was indicated this morning that it "may be taken for granted that it will come into operation as from midnight to-morrow."

The clocks at mid- night on June 14 should be advanced to 1 a.m. on June 15.

ASSAB

PRISONERS

and Cape Gris A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED

British bombers also ranged over Boulogne Nez. vice.

International News Ser

Imperial Conference

HOLDING OF AN CONFERENCE. '

BRITISH G.H.Q.

BY

IN CAIRO STATES: "LIBYA-NO CHANGE IN THE SITUATION.

Abyssinia-Patriot forces have occupied Lakemti, an

important town 170 miles west of Addis Ababa.

On the coastal sector, as а result of a combined operation

and

R.A.F. fighters are

MR. PETER FRASER, NEW with the Navy and R.A.F., indian not chal-

ZEALAND PREMIER, WHILE troops made a surprise landing lenged by any French aircraft, which have been seen over the

IN LONDON WILL DISCUSS and captured the port of Assab. SUCH MATTERS AS THE Prisoners so far counted include battle area only on two or three occasions.

IMPERIAL 50 naval ratings, 87 pilots FRENCH OFFICERS AND MEN

and airmen, 39 German seamen IN SYRIA ARE JOINING THEİ This was announced in Wel- numbers of Italian troops. FREE FRENCH IN GOOD NUM- lington yesterday by the Acting Generals Varda and Piacentin', BERS.

Premier, Mr. Nash, in reply to with Captain Colla, of the Italian a parliamentary question,

navy, are also in our hands. Mr. Nash added that Mr. Fraser | In the Jimma area our general would communicate with the advance is continuing. New Zealand Government later Iraq-the situation remains

calm."-British Wireless. regarding this question.-Reuter.

Dentz Bribe

It was revealed in Cairo yes- terday that in an effort to bribe his troops into loyalty towards Vichy, General Dentz has granted big increases in

pay with ne object of raising it to the level of British officers and men.

In most cases the offer of a

bribe has had the opposite effect

of that desired.

Meanwhile it is confirmed

in

London that Merdi Ayoum has been occupied by Alied troops.

Paving The Way ?

While the Allies are now reach- ing the area where a large pro-

portion of the troops that Gener- al Dentz has available arc con-

VICHY PICTURE OF

SYRIA OPERATIONS

THE AUSTRALIAN FORCES in front of Sidon have not been able yet to overcome French resistance, according to a Vichy news centrated, Vichy communiqués agency message yesterday afternoon. about "heavy fighting" are stated The message states: "Fighting is severe accompanied by heavy and continuous exaggeration may be intentional bombardments of the coast by British naval with a view to paving the way units."

in Cairo to be grossly exaggerat-

ed.

It is believed in Cairo that this

for final surrender..

Free orange

There have been no reports yet French troops are entrenched in issued by Vichy may be put out of any fighting between

? groves surrounding the deliberately in furtherance of.. French and Syrian Trench-Reu- town, states the Vichy message, Franco-German plans to alienate adding: "Australian attacks con- French sympathies from Britain: tinue uninterruptedly, supported Reuter.

ter,

Important Progress by tanks and heavy guns of a

Yesterday's Calro communique, referring to Syria, said

the

naval squadron consisting of a battleship, two cruisers and five destroyers, which have

been

Allied forces made further im- bombarding the fort for the last portant progress in all sectors."

Misled by incorrect information three days. regarding the objects of our pene tration, Vichy, troops: are offering resistance in certain areas oblig-

obstruction to the advance,

French destroyers which went to "Two naval units were hit by

meet them.”

The Vichy news agency also re-

CLEVELAND FACTORIES AT WORK

ing us to use force to prevent ported "Fighting continues to the FULL SHIFT WAS RESUMED rear of Teri Ayoum, evacuated by YESTERDAY MORNING, AT the French only on Wednesday, FIVE FACTORIES OF THE VAST and the troops of General Dentz CLEVELAND (OHIO) WORKS occupy strong positions five to six OF THE ALUMINIUM COM

PANY OF AMERICA FOLLOW!. ING SETTLEMENT OF THE STRIKE, en e

When these troops have been overrun many have expressed sympathy with the Allied object of preserving Syria from German penetration. British Wireless,

"kilometres to the rear.

Damascus Zone

ONE SURVIVOR

"In front of Damascus, de The company's spokesman stat- (SPECIAL TO. “CHINA MAILUI Gaulle troops on Wednesday con[ed“ everything was running tinued their attack against Kis-smoothly and it was expected that A U.S. Army, bomber which sout 15 kilometres south of the full production would be 'resum- crashed on the Panamanian Syrian capital, but according to led before the day was over, by The agreement provides for ya. Jungles on Tuesday has been latest news there attacks: have

general increase in wages of one found Only one of the crew of been repulsed. Hive wave lives International duit tre pointed but in London, cent per hour, making a minimum

News Bervic

lot 13 cents an hour.--Reuter

that