ENEMY NERVY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 7

ENEMY NERVY

TOBRUK HITS HARD

Six Axis Ships Sunk In Mediterranean L.P.A. and British Wireless. Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, July 18. The Cairo communique says that in Libya, on the night of July 16-17, Imperial patrols made another deep penetration into enemy positions south of Tobruk. Casualties were again inflicted on the enemy, whose nerves were evidently becoming frayed as he was now resorting to the use of searchlights for ground observation at night.

In the frontier area British patrols yesterday engaged enemy armoured cars, which beat a rapid retreat.

Rome radio stated that Italian and German soldiers who picked up what appeared to be tins of jam in the desert around Tobruk were seriously injured as the tins contained explosives.

Italian troops at Tobruk suffered a shock when Australians penetrated 6000 yards into their positions. A patrol ordered to attack one strong point subsequently found another, which was also mopped up. The Italians are holding the greater part of this sector, the Germans concentrating on the Egyptian frontier.

A General Headquarters Cairo communique states that by its dash and determination the patrol surprised and out-manceuvrea an enemy greatly superior in numbers and in well entrenched positions.

An Admiralty communique says: "Our submarines in the Mediterranean have achieved further successes against the enemy's sea communications. A supply ship, which was escorted by an Italian destroyer and aircraft, has been hit by torpedoes and probably sunk. A convoy consisting of one schooner and three large caiques, all of which were carrying German troops, petrol and ammunition, has been intercepted and all the four ships sunk.

"In addition to this- convoy, one schooner and two large caiques, carrying German troops and militarv stores, has been sunk. Both the schooners and the five caiques were flying the German flag."

To-day's Cairo communique stated that the Governor of Jibuti, in French Somaliland. has been approached with an offer to evacuate women and children from his territory. Meantime a supply of milk for ehildren in French Somaliland is being sent over the border.