END OF HOSTILITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1942, Page 3

END OF HOSTILITIES

IN FRENCH NORTH AFRICA Allies in Control of Algeria and Morocco BRITISH AND AMERICAN TROOPS ADVANCING ON TRIPOLI GERMAN INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE LONDON, November 11. In French North Africa all hostilities ceased at 7 o’clock this morning-. The order to all French forces to cease fighting and return to barracks was signed in Algiers by Admiral Darlan. Ordering French naval, land and air forces to surrender their arms and return to barracks, Admiral Darlan said that engagements had been fulfilled and that a bloody battle had become useless. British and American troops are driving westward at high speed towards Tripoli, where German airborne troops and fighter planes are reported to have occupied an aerodrome. Allied forces have occupied a coast town 120 miles east of Algiers and 500 miles, as the bomber flies, from Tripoli. It is denied in London that the French naval squadron at Alexandria has been taken over by Britain. It has taken the Allied forces less than 80 hours to establish control over Algeria and Morocco. The last fighting occurred at Casablanca. Over that port on Sunday and Monday 16 Axis planes were shot down. An announcement of the capitulation of Casablanca was made by Mr Churchill in the House of Commons. Meantime German troops are moving quickly through Southern France to the Mediterranean coast. Simultaneously with this German advance, Italian troops have moved into the two French districts claimed by Italy, Savoy and the Riviera. An .unconfirmed report states that there was fighting between the French and Italians on the frontier when it was crossed by the Italians. At Vichy, Marshal Petain received General von Runstedt, commander-in-chief of the German forces in the west, and issued the following statement: “I have received during the night a letter from the Fuehrer informing me that he had been obliged to take measures which would practically suppress the foundations of the armistice. I solemnly protest against this decision, which is incompatible with the terms of the armistice.” All radio stations in what has hitherto been unoccupied France have been placed under State control, which means German control. A curfew has been ordered by the Germans in some areas. General de Gaulle has made a stirring appeal to all French sailors, soldiers and airmen who can do so to join the Allied forces. 'French seamen unable to join the Allies are urged to scuttle their ships. z