FIGHTING IN SYRIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1941, Page 5

FIGHTING IN SYRIA

MERJ IYUM RETAKEN CAPTURE OF VICHY TANKS & CARS. PALMYRA NOW ALMOST SURROUNDED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright i LONDON, June 25. A Cairo communique states that British and Australian troops have occupied Merj lyum. Damascus is reported to be quiet. Nine Vichy tanks and three armoured cars have been captured. In the coastal sector, the Navy has bombarded enemy positions on the coast in support of the advance of Australian troops, who are 10 miles south of Beirut. Palmyra is still held by Vichy troops but the Allied forces have almost surrounded the town. Heavy air raids were made by the R.A.F. on Benghazi and Tripoli, in Libya, on Monday night. VICHY COLLAPSE REGARDED AS POSSIBLE. (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) HAIFA, June 25. The Australian official war correspondent says the opinion of Australian staff officers is that it would not be surprising if the Vichy defenders seek an armistice within a few days, as it appears to be established that they now are nearly at the end of their tether, having exhausted their main punch without success during the Damascus and Merj lyum counter-attacks. On the other hand the British forces are being steadily reinforced. The fall of Damascus and the moral effect of the news that the Germans are now pitted against Russia has given Vichy cause to think. Therefore it is hoped that they will take the wise course of seeking honourable terms.