AFRICAN FIGHTING

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 5

AFRICAN FIGHTING

ATTACK ON TOBRUK REPULSED ENEMY SUFFERS HEAVY CASUALTIES FURTHER PROGRESS IN ABYSSINIA (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright RUGBY, April 17. (Received April 18, at 10.30 a.m.) A British communique issued in Cairo states that one of our patrols in Libya successfully penetrated an enemy position outside the defences of Tobruk and captured seven Italian officers and 139 other ranks. A further attack on the defences of Tobruk was repulsed by artillery fire. The enemy again suffered heavy casualties. During yesterday’s operations a total of 25 officers and 1 47 other ranks was captured, in addition to over 200 enemy dead left on the field. The Australians attacked the enemy with the bayonet and took many prisoners. In the Solium area patrols have continued their rigorous activities. In one encounter a considerable body of the enemy was surprised and sustained severe casualties. In Abyssinia further progress has been made by our columns converging on Dessie. A number of additional prisoners have been taken. Prisoners of war who have returned to Addis Ababa now number 5,000 Italians and 4,000 colonial troops. In the Alge area a number of deserters from Italian colonial units have voluntarily formed themselves into irregular bands to co-operate with our forces. The whole advance continues. NAVY BOMBARDS BARDIA AREA SHELLS FALL ON ENEMY CONCENTRATIONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 17. Received April 18, at 10.30 a.m.) An Admiralty communique states: — “ The C'onimander-in-Chief, • Mediterranean, reports that an extremely successful naval bombardment of Fort Capuzzo, in the Bardia area, has been carried out. A large number of salvos were fired, and these were all seen to burst among a concentration of about 100 enemy tanks and motor transport vehicles. The aerodrome at ELGazala and its supply dumps have again been successfully bombarded from the sea. Our naval units in the Mediterranean have recently shot down at least two Ju. 88 dive-bombers .and damaged two others. No damage or casualties have been sustained by any of His Majesty’s ships in these operations.”