IN FRENCH AFRICA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1942, Page 3

IN FRENCH AFRICA

MANY NEW LANDINGS

VICHY FORCES AT ALGIERS CAPITULATE Americans Preparing to Advance Through Tunisia \ PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S MESSAGE TO BEY REPORTED FRENCH LOSSES IN NAVAL ENGAGEMENT LONDON, November 9. i The latest development in the operations in French North Africa is that President Roosevelt has sent a message to the Bey of Tunis stating that American forces hope to pass through French Tunisia. The President referred to the indomitable and massive American armed forces and said they would co-operate with the Bey in the defence of his country. There are already indications that American forces are fairly close to the Tunisian border. Vichy reports that a town about 60 miles from the border has been bombarded. The Vichy radio states that German dive-bombers attacked six American troop transports entering Algiers, but apparently ' did not do any damage. Vichy also reports the arrival oi British troops at Algiers. * In the Oran area, 200 miles west of Algiers, the Americans have made a number of new landings east and west of that port and naval base. . On the Atlantic coast American forces have occupied a harbour south of Casablanca and have landed at two other points further south. Casablanca itself, according to Vichy, is also threatened.- Mention is made by Vichy of a naval engagement off Casablanca in which the Vichy forces suffered serious loss and the 35,000-ton French battleship Jean Bart was hit. Rapid advances are being continued in North Africa. Algiers has capitulated, and more places are being occupied. Ffiesh landings have also been made. Reports reaching Vichy late last night stated that American forces were overpowering French resistance at at least a dozen points. The Americans were now widening their bridgeheads and preparing to land tanks and artillery from some 70 ships. Losses on both sides so far were small. Correspondents report that no attempt has yet been made by Vichy to employ larger units of the French Fleet. There has been no intervention by the Axis air forces. Fighting is now believed to be greatest at Oran, where a strenuous defence is reported. The Americans have made a second landing there and occupied one of the two aerodromes. Some Vichy naval units which had left Oran to resist the landings were driven back after suffering losses.

Allies Rapidly Extending Occupation