PATROLS STOKE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 170, 21 July 1941, Page 7

PATROLS STOKE

ON LIBYAN FRONTS

Widespread R.A.F. Attacks In

Middle East

Rec. 2 p.m.

RUGBY. July 20

A communique issued t»y Cairo Headquarters states that apart from artillery activity on both sides, there is nothing important to report from the Tobruk area. In the frontier area British patrols succeeded in. recovering and towing in enemy armoured cars damaged in the action reported yesterday. A successful raid by the defenders of Tobruk against the surrounding Axis forces is mentioned in to-day's Middle East communique, which states that during the early hours of July 18 three simultaneous raids were carried out on a broad front against the enemy positions facing the western perimeter of Tobruk. So successful was this large-scale patrol activity that for nearly three hours the enemy put down an extensive artillery barrage along the whole face of the perimeter. With little loss to the patrols, serious casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Two guns were destroyed and prisoners were taken. Initiative and Determination Throughout the operation the British and Indian troops showed admirable initiative and determination, demonstrating the highest degree of training and physical fitness. In the frontier area patrol activity is continuing. An enemy armoured fighting patrol was engaged and put to flight. An agency report from Cairo says that the latest raid was on a larger scale than previous ones. It is evident from the statements of Italian prisoners that the raids are having a devastating effect on the enemy's morale. The number of prisoners captured was high in relation to the strength of the raiding parties, which consisted of British and Indian troops. The Australians were responsible for most of the previous raids. Widespread attacks were carried out yesterday and last night without the loss of a single aeroplane, according to the Royal Air Force Middle East communique. Royal Air Force fighters engaged two Junkers 88's which dropped bombs on Cyprus. One enemy aircraft was shot down over the sea. Heavy bombers carried out another successful attack on Sicily during the night of July 17-18, the target being enemy cruisers and destroyers in Palermo Harbour. Bombs were dropped on or near the enemy warships, but the full results could not be observed owing to smoke.