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THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 26, 1941.
MERDJ AYOUM FALLS TO AUSSIES AT DAWN Keypoint Of Syria Resistance Captured
THE COLUMBIA BROADCASTING 'SYSTEM REPORTS THAT AUSTRALIAN TROOPS HAVE OCCUPIED MERDJ AYOUM, IN SYRIA.
The Australians engaged in hand-to-hand fighting but when they finally occupied Merdj Ayoum at dawn yesterday they found the stronghold deserted and only snipers left.
R.A.F. KEEPS UP
ATTACKS
a few
The Vichy forces are reported to have fled northward during the night.
The raport le confirmed in an official announcement in Cairo, which says British and Aus- tralian troops occupied Merdj Ayoum and Inbales Sakl In their advance northwards.
In the right sector in Syria, all is quiet in Damascus.
In the coastal sector, by bom- barding Vichy positions in the Damour area, the Royal Navy is actively supporting the advance of Australian troops.-Reuter.
Nazis Bomb Damascus
AMERICANS
ADVISED TO
LEAVE SOVIET
[SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"]
The State Depart- ment in "Washington announces that all American citizens in Russia, except Gov- ernment representa- tives and newsmen, are advised to leave as soon as possible.- International News Service.
000000000
R.A.F.
MIDDLE
EAST RAIDS
OVER 30 WERE KILLED AND MANY INJURED WHEN GER- MAN 'PLANES BOMBED An R.A.F. Middle East DAMASCUS YESTERDAY MORNING, SAYS REUTER Communique states: FROM JERUSALEM.
"Syria-aircraft of the R.A.F. and R.A.A.F. car- ried out a number of of- fensive operations in Syria on Tuesday.
Vichy Generals Superseded
Soon after midday yesterday Blenheim air. craft of the Bomber Command, with a strong escort of fighters, attack- ed railway goods yards at Hazebrouck, states an Air Ministry communique.
Four Vichy generals in Syria BOMBS WERE SEEN TO have been superseded BURST IN THE YARDS WHICH of the Vichy Government, states WERE CROWDED WITH TRAF- the Istanbul correspondent of the FIC. DIRECT HITS WERE ALSO | independent French news agency. SCORED ON TWO RAILWAY The exodus from Syria con- BRIDGES.
OF WHICH tinues. adds the correspondent, COLLAPSED.
and some 150 Germans and Ita- lians arrived in Istanbul from Reports so far received show Syria on Tuesday.-Reuter. that British fighters destroyed seven enemy 'planes.
ONE
British losses in this operation were two fighters missing, con- cludes the communique.
IT WAS LEARNED IN LON-
AN
DON LATER THAT AMMUNITION TRAIN BLEW UP IN HAZEBROUCK YARDS
Second Sweep
The R.A.F. made 籍 second sweep over Northern France late yesterday afternoon.
force of bombers
was protected
by orders
Eagle Squadron Recruits
Further parties
of
As on the first occasion a strong young American pilots by fighter squadrons and shortly have just arrived in Bri- after they had passed over the tain to form sister squa- 'coast, watchers on the Kent cliffs
drons of the original Eagle Squadron,
heard violent explosions from several points along the French coast.
No official details are yet avail- able regarding the operation.
Airfield Attacked
Since the first Eagle Fighter Squadron of the R.A.F. was form- ed last autumn numbers of young Americans have volunteered to fly and fight with the R.A.F.
The railway and aerodrome » Rayak were successfully attacked and bombs were seen bursting on buildings and railway, sidings.
The citadel at Soueida was again bombed and several dire-t hits made.
Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm bombed enemy destroyers in har- bour at Beirut. Bursts wern observed on a jetty near the war- ships.
North Africa fighter aircraft provided protective patrols over our ships while aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm bombed the rail- way and quay at Tripoli starting a number of fires.
LN.E.R
Master Freddie Harrison, aged six, was last month presented with a cheque for £4.16.0. by Alderman A. A. Near, Mayor of Hendon, at the Hendon Town Hall, The money together with a letter of congratulations was sent by the Vimy Post of the Tol. edɗ Canadian Legion, Toledo, Chio. Freddie rescued his three- year-old sister Winifred from eneath the dabrls of their home, damaged in a recent air rald. Attention had been drawn to this act of youthful heroism through widespread publication of the ohlidren's photograph in American newspapers. Photo shows Freddie with his sister Winifred taken after the presentation, with their father. (Copyright, Fox).
NO “NEUTRALITY” PROCLAMATION AFFECTING SOVIET
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT does not intend to issue a "neutrality" proclamation on the One of our aircraft is missing Russo-German war, according to an announcement by Mr. Sumner Welles, Under-
from these operations.”.
‚”—British. Wireless.
SOVIET RELATIONS Secretary of State, in Washington yesterday.
WITH FINLAND
United States ships will thus be permitted to carry arms to Vladivostock. The United States is taking up the same position as she has maintained during the undeclared Sino- Japanese war.
THE RUSSIAN MINISTER AND HIS STAFF ARE STILL AT HELSINKI BUT THE MIN- ISTER'S FAMILY LEFT ON TUESDAY, ACCORDING TO A Mr. Welles pointed out that arms or any other supplies.
Under the Neutrality - Act, REPORT RECEIVED IN STOCK under the Neutrallty Act, a neu-
trality HOLM,.
proclamation is re- American ships are forbidden to The Polish Minister and Mili-quired when the President or carry arms to "belligerent" parts tary attache have received their Congress "shall find that there or defined combat areas. passports and are expected to go exists a state of war between to Stockholm-Reuter.
Among the last batch to arrive The German airfield at Long- were US citizens from Ohio, penesse, near St. Omer, was California, Maryland, Texas and bombed and hangars and build Colorado and one from Canada. St. Stephen's College will hold ings hit by the second of the Before crossing the Atlantic they its annual speech day on Satur R.A.F.'s double sweeps over undergo their initial flying train-day, July 12, at 4.15 p.m. when Northern France yesterday. Reu- ing and pass flying tests as pilots. H.E. the Governor will distribute
--British Wireless.
ter."
DINNER DANCES.
POPULAR DANCE MUSIC
FRED CARPIO'S.
SWING ORCHESTRA
NORTH POINT
the prizes.
EXCELLENT. FOOD
The Ritz
OPEN-AIR BALLROOM BY THE SEA.
TEL. 34196.
foreign States and that it is Mr. Welles added the United necessary to promote or preserve States had still not received an the peace of the United States or official communication from the protect the lives of citizens of the Russian Government since the American declaration on Monday United States."
Mr. Wolles added that the favouring Russia against Germany. President had authorised him and the President's announce todannounce that inasmuchment that all American aid pos-
ho finds a proclamasible would be given to Russia. tion launnecessary In Reuter
28:
the present instance to promote.
the peace of the United States or protact: Amorigani qitizens, Who has no intention of Issuing
a proclamation.
Asked what effect this would have on the transport of arms to
MR. EDEN HAS A BUSY DAY
Russia In Amorioan ships, Mr. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Wolles explained that the com- Anthony Eden, in addition to bat zones already established by his interview yesterday with the the President do not include the Spanish Ambassador, the Dulce. Pacific region.
of Alba, also saw the Netherlands Foreign Minister, Dr.-van Klef- fens, and the United States "Am- bassador, Mr. John G. Winant.→→ Reuter.
Vladivostok Open Vladivostok will thus remain open to American ships carrying
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