AFRICAN THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 23869, 26 April 1941, Page 11

AFRICAN THEATRE

ATTACK ON TOBRUK REPULSED r , OUR FORGES NEARING DESSIE TALLY OF PRISONERS MOUNTING (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 25. (Received April 26, at 11.15 a.m.) In Libya yesterday the enemy made a further attack on the outer defences of Tobruk. This was repulsed with heavy losses. The enemy left in our hands two officers and 125 other ranks, of whom a number were Germans. In the Solium area our patrols have again been aggressive. Our forward move in the Dessie sector in Abyssinia, is again continuing. During operations yesterday the enemy sustained heavy casualties. Over 700 prisoners have so far been counted. North-west of Addis Ababa a further 112 prisoners were captured from another enemy column, which is being closely pursued. Further south pressure on the enemy is being maintained in all sectors. GENERAL BLAMEY REASON FOR APPOINTMENT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 25, (Received April 26, at 8 a.m.) Much interest has been aroused by Mr Menzies’s intimation that Sir Thomas Blarney is to be appointed deputy commander-in-chief for the whole of the Middle East. It is understood that the appointment is intended to meet the special situation in the Middle East, where the commander-in-chief is called upon to deal with -a variety of fronts, and the idea is to provide General Wavell with a deputy who will have fuller responsibility in his, absence than could be exercised by a chief of staff. ATTACK ON DESSIE PENDING • LONDON, April 26. Dessie, in Abyssinia, is now facing an imminent attack by_ South African troops, who are within a few miles or the town. South African infantry has been causing heavy casualties amongst the enemy, and both British and South African, planes have paved the way for the attack by bombing troops and gunemplacements. AIRCRAFT ACTIVITY ENEMY PERSISTENTLY BOMBED (British Official Wireless.), RUGBY, April 25. (Received April 26, at 11.18 a.m.) An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: In Cyreuaica enemy transport and mechanised units were persistently bombed and machine-gunped by aircraft of the R.A.F. yesterday. A considerable number of enemy vehicles were destroyed or damaged. Enemy aircraft dispersed on the landing grounds at Derna and El Gazala were bombed, but weather conditions prevented full observation of the damage caused. Over Tobruk four enemy aircraft were shot down by one of our fighter squadrons, which has achieved very considerable success during the last few; weeks. One of onr fighters was shot down while on patrol in Greece. The enemy raided an R.A.F. aerodrome, and some damage was caused to aircraft dispersed on the ground. In Abyssinia aircraft of the R.A.F, and South African Air Force continue to support our troops by bombing enemy motor transport and gun emplacements. Malta was raided on April 23. Our fighters intercepted the enemy, and in the ensuing combat one of our aircraft was lost. No material damage was caused by the raid. Apart from the two fighters already mentioned, our aircraft returned from' all these operations.