London, June 27.
'The evacuation of Mer} Ayoum, in Syria, by French troops, was reported by Vichy last night, nearly $6 hours after ite recapture' by British and Australian troops, as announced by the British General Headquarters in Cairo, The Vichy communique stated that the troops which withdrew from Mer} Ayoum repulsed British attacks fon their new positions north of the town, 'Another communique, reporting British attacks east of Mer} Ayoum on the slopes of Mount Herman and at Jezzine, said both repulsed, and. added: fighting in which both sides suffered heavy losses, developed from the attack at Jezzine'
Strong British forces were launched the direction of Suwelda, capital of the Druse country. Infantry and cavalry units" yesterday morning fat lacked Vichy positions north of Qatana and in' the neighbourhood of Damascus, covering the road to Beirut, "Along, the coast, British artillery bombarded Vichy positions and enemy troops took advantage of this fo resume their attempts of infltr tlon—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.