\URTHER important positions London, June 19. have been captured just south of Damascus, it was officially announced this afternoon.
Advanced' Australian patrol is have reached the village of Damour, about 20 miles north of Sidon and 13 les south of Beirut, according {o an authoritative radio commentator in a broadcast from Jerusalem, Allied forces in Syria have begun an attack against Damascus, according to a message received here from Jerusalem quoting a British military spokesman. there.
'A good deal of opposition, the spokesman said, was being encountered, but this had been expected.
1g to the spokesman, continuous pressure was being exerted all along the line south and cast of Damascus.
The al lack itself was tsunched following the occupation of Mezze, four miles due west of Damascus.
Earlier messages from Cairo and 'Ankara had reported that a broad~ feast had been heard at Jerusalem in Which Gen. Sir Henry, Maitland-Wile son. British Commander-in-Chlet of Allied troops in' Syria, had warned Ger Deniz, the Vichy High Com-attack on Damas is would begin it he refused to Allied troops after its temporary Feoecupation by" Vichy troops. EL Kunella Is -30 miles south-east RAF, Still Pounding German Bases London, June 19, Acrodromes and naval bases in north-west Germany, as well as the hhaval base at Brest ware attacked in force last night by bombers of the [Royal Air Force, states a communique Issued by the Air Ministry this morning, Particularly heavy attacks were car~ ried out at Bremen and Brest, where three German warships are sult lying, Four aircraft are missing from thes Meri Ayoum, where Vichy troops have also goto temporary footing.
Operations "to. recapture Mer} Ayoum are in full swing.
British forces advancing along the coast are reported to have covered about "25 miles between Sidon and Boirut—Rewter.
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