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 a few snipers left.
R.A.F. KEEPS UP
ATTACKS
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.
The Vichy forces are reported to have fled northward during the night.
The report is confirmed in an official announcement in Cairo, which says British and Aus-
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.
tralian troops accupied Merdi] so0000000000000000 Ayoum and Inbales Saki 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 Dumour aroa, the Royal Navy is actively supporting the advance of Australian troops.-Reuter.
Nazis Bomb Damascus
OVER 30 WERE KILLED AND MANY INJURED WHEN GER- MAN 'PLANES BOMBED DAMASCUS YESTERDAY MORNING. SAYS REUTER FROM JERUSALEM.
Vichy Generals Superseded
Four Vichy generals in
Syria
BOMBS WERE
SEEN TO have been superseded by orders BURST IN THE YARDS WHICH of the Vichy Government, states WERE CROWDED WITH TRAF- the Istanbul correspondent of the FIC.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
RAILWAY ON TWO
The exodus from Syria
adds BRIDGES. ONE
the correspondent, OF WHICHtinues,
and some 150 Germans and Ita- lians arrived in Istanbul from
COLLAPSED.
Reports so far received show Syria on Tuesday.-Reuter.
that British fighters destroyed
seven enemy 'planes.
British losses in this operation
were two fighters missing, con-
cludes the communique.
AN
IT WAS LEARNED IN LON- DON LATER THAT AMMUNITION TRAIN BLEW UP IN THE HAZEBROUCK YARDS
Second Sweep
The R.A.F. made a second sweep over Northern France late
yesterday afternoon.
**
As on the first occasion a strong
con-
Eagle Squadron Recruits
Further
parties
force of bombers was protected young American
of
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 heard violent explosions from drons of the original Eagle several points along the French Squadron.
coast.
No official details are yet avail- able regarding the operation.
RA.F.
MIDDLE
EAST RAIDS
An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: the "Syria-aircraft of R.A.F. and R.A.A.F. car- ried out a number of of- fensive operations in Syria on Tuesday.
The railway and aerodrome a Rayak were successfully attacked and bombs were seen bursting on buildings and railway sidings.
The citadel at Soueida again bombed and several direct hits made.
was
Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm bombed enemy destroyers in har- bour at Beirut, Bursts wer 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.
Master Freddie Harrison, aged six, was last month presented with a cheque for £4.15.0, by Alderman A. A. Near, Mayor of Hendon, at the Hendon Town Hall. The money together withia letter of congratulations was sent by the Vimy Post of the Tal- edo Canadian Legion, Toledo, Ohio. Freddie rescued his three- year-old alster Winifred from beneath the debris pf,their home, damaged in a recent air raid. Attention had been drawn to this act of youthful heroism through widespread publication of the
Photo shows. children's photograph In American newspapers. Freddle 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 from these operations."-British Wireless.
announcement by Mr. Sumner Welles, Under-
SOVIET RELATIONS Secretary of State, in Washington yesterday,
WITH FINLAND
THE RUSSIAN MINISTER AND HIS STAFF ARE STILL AT HELSINKI BUT THE MIN-
|ISTER'S: FAMILY LEFT: ON} TUESDAY, ACCORDING TO: A REPORT RECEIVED IN STOCK HOLM. ··
Since the first Eagle Fighter Squadron of the R.A.F. was form- ed fast autumn numbers of young Americans have volunteered to The Polish Minister and Mill- Airfield Attacked : fy and fight with the RAF tary attache have received their Among the last, batch to arrive passports and are expected to go The German airfield at Long-were U.S. citizens from Ohio, to Stockholm-Reuter. uonesse, 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: HE. the Governor will distribute
--British Wireless.
the prizes. ter.
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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.
Under the Neutrality
Act, American ships are forbidden to carry arms to "belligerent" ports or defined combat areas.
Mr. Welles pointed out that arms or any other supplies. under the Neutrality Act, a neu- trality proclamation is re- quired when the President. Qr that there Congress "shall find
Mr. Welles added the United exists a state of war between foreign States and that it is 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. Welles added that the favouring Russia against Germany. ¦ President had authorised him and the President's announce
Inasmuch ment that all American aid pos- to announce that
proclamasible would be given to Russia tion la unnecessary In Reuter
AB
ho finda..
the present Instance to promote the peace of the United States or, protect. Amerloan, eltizeng, he has no intention of) Issuing a proclamation.
Asked what effect this would have on the transport of arms to Rusala In American ships, Mr. Welles explained that the com- bat, zones already established by the President do not include the Pacific region."
MR. EDEN HAS A BUSY DAY
The Foreign Secretary, Mru Anthony Eden, in addition to. his interview yesterday with the Spanish Ambassador, the Duke of Albp, also saw, the Netherlands Foreign Minister, Dr. van Klek....... fons, and the United States Ams- Vladivostok will, thus remain bassador, Mr. John G. Winant-
to American ships carrying. ter
Vladivostok Opene
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