FRENCH INVASION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1940, Page 5

FRENCH INVASION

REPULSED BY THAI FORCES ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL REPORT. AIR AND OTHER FIGHTING. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 2. The High Command in Bangkoic issued a communique stating that Thai forces on Sunday repulsed a French invasion of southern Thailand. It said French planes continued to violate Thailand all day Sunday. A Hanoi report says a 20-minute air battle occurred above the Mekong River village of Thakhek, while the French retaliated against Thailand following bombings on November 28 and 30. The principal southern Indo-China cities are blacked out and the Hanoi authorities are giving the impression of a grave situation.

The 8.8. C. states that the Thailand Government claims to be confining its operations to reprisals for attacks made by the French. Negotiations are being continued, and it is held that there is no reason why a peaceful settlement should not be reached. AIR ATTACK —■ i BATTERIES IN DEMILITARISED ZONE. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) BANGKOK, December 2. A communique states: “Airmen bombed military objectives at Thakhek on Saturday. Ten bombs directly hit anti-aircraft batteries within a demilitarised zone and also a French troop concentration. BOMBS THAT MISSED .FRENCH RIVER BOAT DAMAGES PLANE. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) HANOI, December 2. It is officially stated that several Thai planes dropped nine bombs which failed to hit the 500 ton French armed river boat Beryls, near Kone Island in the Gulf of Siam, after which two planes renewed the attack, whereupon the Beryle returned their fire and is believed to have damaged one plane, which escaped. Thai troops have occupied Bandong, an unprotected Nekong River island.

TREATED WITH INDIGNITY FRENCH CATHOLIC BISHOP AND OTHERS. AFTER BEING ARRESTED IN SIAM. HANOI, December 2. It is officially stated that the French Catholic bishop in the Siamese part of Laos, Monsignor Gouin, and also Father Malava and Sister Ursule, arrived at Thakhek from Siam on Sunday, after being arrested in Siam. It is alleged that they were exposed to public view for six hours while confined in an iron cage before being expelled to Indo-China. They were not allowed to take their possessions.