SEA-BORNE RAID ON TOBRUK

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23744, 16 September 1942, Page 5

SEA-BORNE RAID ON TOBRUK

Strong Opposition NAVAL BOMBARDMENT AT EL DABA (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 14. The Admiralty announces: "On the night of September 13, British light naval forces, with a small Army force, earned out a sea-borne raid on Tobruk, in conjunction with an air attack on a considerable scale. Our forces landed in face of strong opposition, and inflicted casualties and damage on the enemy before withdrawing. "The withdrawal was not carried out without losses, 'which, in view of the strength of the defence, were to be expected. "Another light naval force successfully bombarded enemy land communications in the El Daba area. This force returned to harbour having suffered neither damage nor casualties." An Italian communique stated that after prolonged air attacks by large formations, the British last night attempted a paratroop landing at Tobruk under cover of naval units. British warships attempted to land troops simultaneously with the support of six cruisers and destroyers. An Italian and German offensive promptly frustrated the attack. Two British warships were hit and set on fire, and one of the ships subsequently sank. A German communique, referring to this affair, stated that a number of prisoners were taken. In announcing that the losses in South Africa's second division at Tobruk had already been made good by recruiting, General Smuts said recent recruiting had been most satisfactory. New recruits included 10.000 men and 2000 women. There were now 13,000 women in the Army and 60,000 in auxiliary services.