Normal patrols were carried out by the RAP. and the South African Air Force in the Western Desert 5 8 communique British bombers also raided landing grounds at Demo and Gazala, one Unidentified sireraty. being. de stroyed on the ground at Gazala, Enemy. aircraft approached Maite yesterday on two occasions, it adds, but owing to interception by British fighters the raids did not materialize. Instead, one Ttalian fighter was shot down and two others badly damaged.
From all these operations four British aircraft are missing the communique reveals—Reuter, Australian cavalry patrols have reached Wadi Zenl, 15 miles from Beirut, according to a military spokesman in Jerusalem.
He said that British troops are still pressing from south-west of Damascus and holding the Damascus road run. ning due south to Kiswe, But they are stated {0 be meeting with artillery opposition in attempts to press north wards and sniping opposition eastwards of Damascus from the slopes of Djebel Kabl, Hitherto over 1,200 officers and men have surrendered to the Allies, Tt 1s now assumed that Gen, Dentz, Vichy Commissioner in Syria, intends to defend Damascus, The British advanee- along the ial sector from Sidon to beirut is slow, It now seems increasingly Ukoly that Vichy forces will offer eslslance before Beirut, Fighting continues around Damascus including the vicinity of the Mezze aerodrome, Indicating that the offer by Gen, Sir Maitland Wilson to Gen. Dentz in a broadcast from the Palesting radio to allow Vichy troops vacate Damascus in order to avoid shelling of the city, has not been accepted. The time limit of the offer expired on Thursday. morning, Reoecupation of Kuneitra in the central sector was achieved by a well, known Surrey rogiment—Reuter.
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