THOUSAND BOMBINGS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 5

THOUSAND BOMBINGS.

TOBRUK GARRISON’S ORDEAL. THEIR MORALE FIRST CLASS (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) CAIRO, July 30. Tobruk has been bombed more than 1000 times since the siege began, but the morale of the garrison is first rate. Supplies arrive regularly by sea, said a major from the fortress. “On the average we are bombed every two hours, either from high level or by Stukas or by ‘Sutcliffe’ bombers. ‘Sutcliffe’ bombing derives its name from the well-known cricketer’s sneaked runs. Jerry flies in with the sun behind him, drops bombs and runs for home like 50 hares. Stukas used to come down to 50 feet, but accurate small arms fire now force them to keep to a healthier height. One machine-gunner shot down six planes.

“Our constant raids from Tobruk particularly demoralise the Italians, who run like the dickens, screaming through the night, when our chaps getinto them with bayoiiets. One of the interesting features of the defence is ‘the Australian bush artillery,’ comprising outmoded guns captured from the Italians. The Australians in the fortress manufactured shells for them and constantly blaze away at siegers.”