ENEMY ASSAULT ON TOBRUK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23319, 3 May 1941, Page 9

ENEMY ASSAULT ON TOBRUK

Units Penetrate Outer Defences BOMBARDMENT BY NAVY AND R.A.F. (Received May 2, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, May 2. There is no fresh news from Tobruk, on which the strongest and most determined attack yet made by the enemy was launched yesterday. Infantry ( in some strength, supported by mechanised units, began the attack on the outer defences of Tobruk on Wednesday evening, and yesterday morning it was reported that they had penetrated them. According to yesterday’s Middle East communique, fighting was continuing, but details were not yet available. Enemy positions near Tobruk are reported to have been heavily bombarded by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. An Admiralty communique reports that British naval units carried out a successful bombardment of enemy tr Tops and supplies in the El Gazala area of Libya. Swooping down low over the escarpment, a Royal Air Force pilot carried out a daring machine-gun attack on enemy tanks and motor transport in the Solium area on April 29, says the Air Ministry News Service. He made his first attack on four enemy tanks, after diving low to ensure that bis fire would have the greatest possible effect. The pilot then made for a concentration of enemy motor transport, pressing home the attack with equal vigour. He saw as he turned away several lorries in flames. He then observed a detachment of German troops rushing forward and waving red flags with swastika emblems on them. The Germans had apparently mistaken his aircraft for one of their own, and the pilot was able to report heavy casual-, ties among the enemy. “Heavy casualties were inflicted on enemy troops and motor transport in Cyrenaica on Wednesday.” says a Royal Air Force communique from the Middle East. “In the combat area a particularly severe attack was carried out by a formation of Royal Air Force fighters on concentrations of enemy motor transport. At least 100 vehicles, 30 of which contained troops, were hit and damaged by our machinegun fire, and 20 burst into flames. ‘‘One of our fighters intercepted four Messerschmitt 110’s which were ma-chine-gunning troops near Sofaifi, and severely damaged two of them. Our fighters also shot down a Henschel 125 near Cambut.’’