The Alleged Views and Policy of Marshal Petain and Certain of his Colleagues. Report by J.I.C.

4. This description of French opinion is, we believe, accurate. We went into Syria when the Germans were in fact withdrawing, if indeed they had not already withdrawn, their air personnel and material from that country. No doubt that was necessary because we wanted to deny Syria to the Germans and to prevent the possibility of their returning at some more suitable opportunity. Nevertheless the fact that the Germans were withdrawing or had withdrawn undoubtedly made it difficult for us to impress our point of view on the French people.