BLOW TO AXIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20548, 7 May 1941, Page 11

BLOW TO AXIS

CHECK AT TOBRUK BID FOR EGYPT DELAY AIDS ALLIES REINFORCING TROOPS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May (i, 2.45 p.m.) ‘LONDON, May 5. After breaking up the Italian and German preparations for a fresh attack against Tobruk, the British forces yesterday threw up new defences facing the south-western sector of the outer defence ring which the enemy occupied last week. Military circles in Cairo said that the British aimed thereby to preserve the outer ring unbroken. This objective had now been achieved. The portion of the defences occupied by the enemy was about 2000yds. long, but the depth was slight. The Italians and Germans were nowhere near the inner ring.

The vigour with which the defenders of Tobruk assailed the attackers surprised the Italians and Germans on April 30 and May 1. The attack lacked co-ordination. Eleven tanks in one .assault headed for an an Australian anti-tank gun, but it and a neighbouring gun quickly destroyed four. Wounded Gunners Carry On

Three members of the crew of the Australian gun were wounded, but the other three carried on until the atack was beaten off, after which our troops immediately resumed their offensive patrolling, while artillery resumed the bombardment of enemy communications.

The opinion is given in Cairo that the failure of the attack at Tobruk means a heavy blow to the German preparations for an advance against Egypt, because she cannot fully use the coastal road, while every day s delay means that we are enabled to further reinforce the troops in the Western Desert.

Indian troops have reached 150 miles southward of Asmara into the heart of the mountainous area oJ north Abyssinia. The advance continues by tracks winding along the side of the mountains and through gorges, where the enemy is using every advantage of terrain to block progress. Amba Alagi, the present objective of the Imperial forces, is situated in an area thousands of feet high.