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Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1941, Page 5

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DENTZ ASKS FOR TERMS IN SYRIA Britain Welcomes Negotiations OPERATIONS TO PROCEED MEANTIME POSITION OF VICHY FORCES DESPERATE LONDON, July 9. It is officially stated in London that the British Government has received a formal request from the French commander in Syria, General Dentz, for terms leading- to an armistice. The British Government welcomes the negotiations and trusts that they may reach a speedy conclusion. General Dentz’s request for a discussion of armistice terms has caused little surprise. The Vichy forces are said to be in a desperate position, with Allied troops closing in from all directions. ' IN SIGHT OF BEIRUT. British imperial troops have occupied the Vichy coastal stronghold of Damour, according to'Reuter’s correspondent, and are pushing forwards towards Beirut. The troops are now in sight of that city. A number of the Vichy troops in the coastal area have retreated inland, but most of the Damour garrison troops have been captured, as well as stores and equipment. The R.A.F. continues its operations in Syria, where Vichy aircraft were damaged by the Australian Air Force and on Monday night, at Aleppo, three Vichy aircraft were destroyed. A successful attack was also made by heavy bombers on Benghazi harbour, in Libya. Other attacks were made on objectives in Greece and on the island cf Crete. All the British planes returned.

OVERTURE WELCOMED STATEMENT BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DESIRE TO SEE END OF CONFLICT OUTCOME OF LAMENTABLE CONFUSION. BRITISH AND IMPERIAL CASUALTIES. I British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY. July 9. Replying in the House of Commons to a question asking for a statement on the position in Syria. Mr Churchill said: "We have received a formal application from General Dentz for a ..discussion of terms leading to an armistice. I need hardly say how very glad the British Government will be to see an end brought to this conflict in which nearly 2,500 British, Australian and Indian soldiers who volunteered to join the Army in order to defend France have fallen, killed or wounded, under French bullets, as a result of the lamentable confusion into which the affairs of so many good people, in so many parts of the world, have been thrown by the victories of Hitler’s armies. "Therefore we welcome these negotiations, and I trust they may reach a speedy conclusion. Pending any formal arrangements, military operations must of course, continue without abatement.”

STEADY ADVANCE FREE FRENCH & BRITISH FORCES. PROGRESS ON ALL FRONTS. i By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. July 9. The latest reports of the fighting say that Free French and British forces are steadily advancing toward the French stronghold at Beirut. An agency message from Jerusalem says that General Sir Henry Maitland-Wilson’s headquarters are satisfied with the advance in the coastal sector, where fierce fighting is still in progress. Good progress has also been made in central Syria and in the extreme north-east. “STICKY BOMB” USE AGAINST.VICHY TANKS IN SYRIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, July 8. A new anti-tank weapon, described as a "sticky bomb.’’ is being used by British forces against Vichy armoured units in Syria. This bomb which is about the size of a pineapple, sticks to the sides of tanks and armoured cars and explodes with a terrific impact.