AXIS REPORTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 31 August 1942, Page 2

AXIS REPORTS

ACTIVITY AT GIBRALTAR REINFORCEMENTS LANDED GERMAN DIVISION AT DAKAR <Rec. 11.55 a.m.) London, Aug. 30. Concurrent with reports from Stockholm that a German division has already gone to Dakar to implement the German demands for the stronger defence of West Africa, Axis radios are playing up to reports of activity at Gibraltar. Rome radio says one transport alone landed 3500 men at Gibraltar and has added that R.A.F. planes throughout the day flying over Gibraltar coastal defence and exercises are be-

ing carried out by large bodies of troops practising landings. .. Vichy radio quoted an Algeciras report to the effect that several British transports arrived at Gibraltar and

landed 3000 garrison reinforcements. Vichy also reported that Admiral

* Esteva, commander of the French forces * in Tunis, arrived at Vichy and confer- * red with Marshal Petain and M. Laval.

* Dr Goebbels arrived in Venice. The Vichy news agency stated that £ a British convoy comprising 26 mer- " chantmen left Gibraltar sailing in the - direction of the Atlantic.

» An Italian communique says that on • the night of 28th August a small enemy • unit attempted to land on the island of • Cerigotto between Kythera and Crete, but fled on the intervention of the -"defences.

Nothing is known in authoritative circles in London of an Italian report. Such a force may have landed, but it is considered that the operation would be of relatively minor importance.— 8.0. W.