THE SIEGE OF TOBRUK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23513, 16 December 1941, Page 7

THE SIEGE OF TOBRUK

HAZARDS OF MEN AT ADVANCED POSTS CLASHES WITH ENEMY AT NIGHT (8.0. W.) RUGBY, December 14. Details are now given of the heroic life of the Allied soldiers in the advanced posts on the Tobruk perimeter during the long siege. They lived mostly by night, especially in the hottest salient of the sector on the west side, facing the Germans, and they lived dangerously. Their only exercise was a stooping approach to enemy positions, a sudden leap forward at a given signal, a maelstrom of movement in hand-to-hand battle—bayonet jab, swing of rifle, toss of grenade. They issued from their daylight wait underground in caves and subterranean forts of concrete dug-outs only on battle bent. After dawn many of them

could not appear above ground. At some points only half a mile separated the enemy machine-guns covering the holes that led out into the light of day. Shells showered down on their positions.

The Navy saw that the garrison was supplied with necessary things—food and war supplies. Anything else—books, magazines, cigarettes, games, and beer—came last—if there was room. They might be up there for two weeks at a time. Their respite was only comparative. Going back meant going back to shelling, dive-bombing, and machine-gunning from the air. A night patrol of eight might be ordered to attack a German post from the rear and wipe it out if possible, but the main thing was to get past. With the moon behind them they must have their wits about them to avoid silhouetting themselves. In the stillness of the night a slight sound is magnified. They must avoid barbed wire, shell holes, trenches, and telephone wires. Two miles to an enemy post might take an hour or more.