RETURN TO NORMAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1942, Page 5

RETURN TO NORMAL

French Authorities Resume

Control DIEGO SUAREZ CONDITIONS LONDON, May 24. report from Diego Suarez states that Rear-Admiral E. N. Syfret the commander of the British naval force, attended a ceremony at which the Tricolour was hoisted over the Mairie (the Town Hall), which is the seat of local government, to symbolise the return of French officials to civil control in accordance with th? British guarantee. Diego Suarez is returning to normal. British engineers, sailors and soldiers are strengthening the battered defences. French families wishing to are being repatriated. A memorial service was held for the French who were killed during the invasion.

The crew of the German merchantship Wartenfels, 6181 tons, failed in their efforts to dynamite the shin when the British arrived. She is still in the docks with a hole in her hull. Trying to avoid the United States patrols, she fled from West Africa and took refuge at Diego Suarez before the British appeared The Italians managed to scuttie two of their merchant vessels which were in port. The British forces are digging in and consolidating their positions the northern part of Madagascar mere is no sign of any French forces.