ALL VICHY FRANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1942, Page 3

ALL VICHY FRANCE

NOW OCCUPIED BY AXIS TROOPS EXCEPT SMALL AREA ROUND TOULON. REPORTED PLEDGE BY FRENCH NAVAL CHIEFS. LONDON, November 12. German and Italian troops have now occupied the whole of Vichy France, with the exception of a small area around the port and naval base at Toulon. The Germans have reached the Spanish frontier in the Pyrenees and taken over the frontier posts. They have also reached the Swiss frontier and Switzerland is now ■ entirely surrounded by Axis territory. German anti-aircraft batteries have taken over all important airfields and strategic points in Vichy France. The Italians have also extended their occupation. The Germans state that in accordance with Hitler’s order they will not occupy the military zone at Toulon, because the French naval chiefs have given a pledge that the French fleet will resist attacks from any quarter. The German-controlled Lyons radio, however, states that German troops will be established within easy reach of Toulon to safeguard the base. The French naval forces at Toulon are known to have consisted recently of two modern battleships, the Dunkuerqe and Strasbourg, an old battleship, a seaplane carrier, four heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and a number of destroyers and submarines.