STILL UNDECIDED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1942, Page 3

STILL UNDECIDED

FATE OF FRENCH FLEET AT TOULON broadcast by admiral DARLAN. OFFICERS ASKED TO TAKE SHIPS TO NORTH AFRICA. LONDON. November 13. There is still no definite news of the French fleet based on Toulon. German and Italian communiques repeat the promise not to occupy Toulon on the understanding that the fleet will protect itself against attack. It is reported from Vichy, however, that the defence of Toulon is being taken over by the military authorities. It is reported from Allied headquarters in North Africa that Admiral Darlan has made a broadcast asking the commanders of the French Fleet in Toulon to bring it to North Africa. Admiral Darlan, who has always been looked .on as the head of the fleet, refrained from giving an order, but merely suggested that it should join the Allies or at least remove itself from the German grasp. Germans are massing threateningly outside Toulon ready to race to the harbour if the French Fleet shows signs of sailing, says the “Daily Mail's” Madrid correspondent. The Moscow radio says Admiral Raeder arrived at Toulon yesterday, but there is no confirmation of this from other sources. One report from the French frontier says that the French commanders are divided, “several still making up their minds what to do.” FRENCH WARSHIPS SQUADRON AT ALEXANDRIA. OFFICERS STILL TAKING ORDERS FROM VICHY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 12. The Alexandria correspondent of the London "Daily Telegraph” says that the French officers aboard the Vichy warships there have decided at present to continue to take orders from Vichy. It is understood that Admiral Godefroy, who commands the warships at Alexandria, is still acting under Marshal Petain's orders, but he expects fresh instructions from the marshal. The long period of idleness has greatly sapped the crews’ energy. They'are barely numerous enough to man the ships, and it seems improbable that they would be able to take serious action, particularly in view of the fact that the ships are partially dismantled. SWIFT DRIVE DISTANCE OF 300 MILES. COVERED BY EIGHTH ARMY SINCE NOVEMBER 4. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, November 13. The total advance of the Eighth Army since November 4 is 300 miles as the crow flies, an average of 33 miles a day.