AIR BASES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1941, Page 5

AIR BASES

IN FRENCH NORTH AFRICA USE SAID TO HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO GERMANS. DARLAN PUTTING PRESSURE ON PETAIN. LONDON, November 29. The “Daily Mail’s” Madrid correspondent says the Vichy Government is reported to have agreed to allow Germany the full use of air bases at Toulon and Bizerta in order to supply and reinforce General Rommel’s forces. Germany at first demanded the full use of the ports of Toulon and Bizerta,

but Marshal Petain refused, despite strong representations from Admiral Darlan. Marshal Petain agreed to the use of the air bases only after stronger promptings from Admiral Darlan. Meanwhile, a constant stream of French ships is taking supplies from Marseilles to French Tunisia. The Vichy Government issued an assurance that its North African air and naval bases have not been ceded to Germany. LOW=LEVEL ATTACK BOMBS FALL INTO ITALIAN STAFF CONFERENCE. OFFICERS NOW IN SHORT SUPPLY LONDON, November 29. The Italians at Solium must now be short of leaders as a result of a visit of Hurricane bombers to a staff conference there. The Hurricanes sighted between 20 and 30 staff cars drawn up in a large circle, in which were two trestle tables surrounded by staff officers. The leading Hurricane bomber picked the tables as his objective and flew in so low that he could see the maps on the tables. His bombs landed in the middle of them. The other pilots blew up the staff cars and little remained undestroyed. Correspondents at the advanced bases say the R.A.F. is making 200 sorties daily.