SPAIN & MOROCCO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1940, Page 5

SPAIN & MOROCCO

HINTS OF “STEPPING IN” REGARDED WITH SUSPICION IN BRITAIN. ATTITUDE OF GENERAL NOGUES. LONDON, September 24. The Spanish Press has intensified its attacks on the Vichy Government, declaring that it is unable to control its North African Empire and hinting that Spain should step in because “it is called on to impose security both from geographical and spiritual viewpoints.” The British authorities regard sus-. piciously Spanish reports concerning North Africa. The Spanish news agency says that fresh reports from French Morocco show that support for General de Gaulle is increasing daily and is likely to become overwhelming sooner than, was expected. General Nogues’ loyalty to Marshal Petain is doubtful, particularly in view of the fact that air force units were allowed sufficient liberty for many of the units to fly to Gibraltar to join' Britain. MORE VICHY NEWS ' BOMBARDMENT OF DAKAR CONTINUES HEAVY CASUALTIES. BOMBING ATTACKS ON PORT. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) VICHY, September 25. It was officially stated early today that Dakar is still holding out. British warships continued the bombardment during the night and the fighting continued at daybreak. A French air squadron attacked the warships yesterday morning, directly hitting a cruiser. The French losses to noon were 120 service men and 65 civilians killed, with 138 service men and 225 civilians wounded. There were further heavy casualties in the afternoon. Three British planes and one French plane were destroyed. The Richelieu lies helpless in a dry dock. There were three major operations on Tuesday, apart from six unsuccessful British attempts to land troops 80 miles on either side of Dakar. British planes operated from an aircraft-carrier and also from Bathurst. Bombing attacks were centred on the port, but the Native and European towns are so close that bombs caused widespread casualties. FRANCE & GERMANY “DISCUSSING THE INCIDENT." (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, September 25. The British United Press Vichy correspondent says the casualties at Dakar exceed 600. It is claimed that neither the Richelieu nor the shore batteries are damaged. France and Germany are discussing the incident which may speed up the return of the French Government to Paris. French bombers, attacking the British warships, operated from a base at Wakam.

VICHY CLAIMS THE ATTACK ON GIBRALTAR. “WILL NOT BE THE LAST REPRISAL.” (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day. 10.30 a.m.) VICHY, September 25. It is officially stated: “Retaliating for the attack on Dakar, an important number of planes on Tuesday dropped 45 tons of bombs on Gibraltar, hitting the arsenal, the South Mole and one big shipo Heavy smoke was observed. The bombs caused far greater damage than any past Italian and German raid. This will not be the last reprisal if the British continue to shell Dakar.”