London, June 25.
LIIED forces, continuing operations ju Syria, are slowly gaining ground, and an. unconfirmed report reaching here today states that Merj Ayoum, Vichy stronghold 150 miles south of Beirut, has been captured, Palmyra, the important air base about 160 smiles north-east Damiscus, which is being attacked by a British column from Iraq, is apparently still held by Vichy forces, British troops have now surrounded the'town, but the fortifications, which include heavy concrete machinegun emplacements, are described formidable.
Further west British troops ad~ vaneing towards Patana have met some opposition, while latest reports from the coastal area state that Allied forces are now only 10 miles from Beiru, Big Cargoes to Red Sea Area Washington, June 25.
Enormous amounts of cargo were Jveing shipped in American merchant [vessels to the Red Sea area, shipping JoMiciais revealed yesterday' in testlmany before the Senate.
At least 30 American vessels were being employed 10 convey the cargo to the Red Sea area, the testimony Ca-operating Mr. John Mann, attorney for the United States Maritime Commission, All three fighting services are coiting in the effort to end the campaign, it 1s stated here, The ports of Tripoli and Beirut were successfully raided by planes of the Royal Navy.
In the biggest sweep yet made over Syria, in which "Australian planes also took part, enemy acro~ dromes were machine-gunned by the RAR, and at least eight planes on the ground were destroyed, At an afd base near Horns a hangar and other buildings were burnt down and at Toast three planes destroyed. Reuter, Divebomber Downed London, June 25.
Early this morning an enemy HE-111 divebomber attacked a convoy in the channel, states the Admiralty. It was brought down by anti-aircraft fire from the convoy and its escort. No damage was sustained by the British ships—Reuter.
More Gains in Syria London, June 25.
Australian troops have made' a further important advance in the coastal sector of the Syrian front, according to a communique issued in Cairo, The statement, says artillery was in action against Vichy positions.
On Monday British troops cupied a position south of the Aus. tralian Jine and were adventing towards the Damascus-Beirut Road, the communique adds. Free French and Indian troops. successfully attacked and occupied another advanced district.
In the Mer} Ayoum area Australian troops made more local going and fighting is proceeding.
Destruction of eight. Vichy alreratt on the ground and damage to.a very large number of others during raids in Syrin were announced in an RAP. communique issued in Cairo last night, RAP, and Australian planes were active on Tuesday, 'A, large squadr machine-gunned aerodromes at Baal-eke, Talia and Rayak, destroying eight grounded Vichy planes. Another wag attacked and severely damaged Ju the alr.
'A unit of the Australian Air Fore carried out a machine-gun sttacke on an aerodrome near Horns. One hangar and a number of other build ings were burnt out, several motor transport vehicles were damaged and tone Vichy Glen Martin bomber was destroyed on the ground. A number of Aghters were intercepted over the aerodrome and two were shot down while a number of others were damaged—Reuter,
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