OPPOSED IN FRANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1942, Page 3

OPPOSED IN FRANCE

ACCEPTANCE OF DARLAN CRITICISM OF ALLIEDVoLICV? 5 PRO-ALLIED FERVOUR , DAMPENED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 25. The “Christian Science Monitor” correspondent on the French frontier says: “Although the Allied successes in North Africa have encouraged the French people, there is a bitter fight at home over ’the Allied acceptance of Darlan which has confused the French in France and made them easier victims of the Vichy jobbery. This anxiety is not limited to de Gaullists, but is rooted amongst the broad masses, of which the articulate section express the opinion that the military advantages which General Eisenhower attributed to his acceptance of Darlan are outweighed *by definite military disadvantages. Cbllaboration with Darlan has considerably dampened the pro-Allied fervour in French North Africa, resulting in General Giraud’s inability to call over 12 per cent of the French North African Army to his colours.”

AXIS AGENTS ARRESTED AT ORAN. LONDON, November 24. The Oran correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that United States authoities have arrested 52 suspected Axis agents there. GOLD AT DAKAR' LOST TO THE AXIS. NEW YORK, November 24. Control of French West Africa gives the United Nations access to 1000 million dollars’ worth of gold which has been stored at Dakar since the Nazi invasion of the Low Countries, declares the New York “World-Telegram.” In addition, 280,000,000 dollars’ worth of gold which was stored in Martinique has been placed beyond the reach of the Axis. The American authorities assume that Admiral Darlan will make the Dakar gold available to the United Nations’ cause. ALLIED AIRCRAFT ATTACKS IN MANY AREAS. VICTIMS INCLUDE GIANT GERMAN PLANE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, November 25. A Cairo communique states: “Air activity over the Libyan battle area was again on a small scale yesterday. Our heavy and medium bombers on Monday night attacked airfields in Crete, starting fires. Our fighter-bombers yesterday raided airfields in Sicily, scoring hits on gun positions. Our twin-engin-ed fighters shot down at least two large German aircraft off the eastern coast of Tunisia. One of our planes is missing.” A Cairo message states that R.A.F. long-range fighters claimed a new victim yesterday when they shot down a German Transport plane of the latest type—a gigantic six-engined Blohm and Voss 222, the largest German aeroplane, which accommodates eighty equipped troops. It was intercepted by three fighters while flying northwards off Linosa Island, and was shot down into the sea. Two other Axis supply aeroplanes were also intercepted. A Junkers 52, also flying north of Linosa, was shot down into the sea, and after its crash about ten soldiers were seen struggling in the water. Our fighters also damaged a Dorner 24, which was escorted by three Messerschmitts.