TOBRUK GARRISON

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 5

TOBRUK GARRISON

UNDER BOMBARDMENT Resignedly Await British Advance [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received January 15, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 15. A British air reconnaissance reveals that the Italians in Tobruk are awaiting their fate resignedly. Sandstorms are somewhat hampering the British air observation of the artillery bombardment of Tobruk. Technical brilliance of British pilots is demonstrated by miraculous landings in a thick pall of swirling yellow dust, completely - obscuring the ground. British troops on the East African front, taking advantage of brilliant moonlight and supported by artillery, executed a strong night raid against prepared Italian positions on the Gallabat sector, and gained objectives. It is estimated sixty Italians were killed.

British Artillery OVERLOOKING TOBRUK. RUGBY, January 14. A Cairo communique states: In Libya, there is nothing fresh to report. In the Sudan, in the neighbourhood of Kassala, patrol activity is continuing. On other fronts, there is nothing to report. British artillery round Tobruk is placed on high ground overlooking the coast and from where the guns are firing good observation can be obtained. A slackening of the Italian artillery fire has been noted and what lire there is is said to be very erratic. This is probably a result of the lack of air observation.

Helped by the capture of landinggrounds which the Italians failed to make unusable, the Royal Air Force is ranging as far west as Benghazi, without opposition. A search for a large party of Italian senior officers, which has already' proved successful, is still being carried out by Hurricane aircraft, says the Air Ministry. These Italians were the vanguard of the enemy troops who escaped from Bardia, and were making for Tobruk along coastal paths, before Bardia was surrounded and taken. R.A.F. planes flying low, sometimes skimming cliffs at 50 feet, are spotting lurking Italians, who are taking refuge in caves. Two days ago, the planes observed a small party of Italian officers hiding by the water’s edge. The pilot reported the position, and a naval unit advised a British motor boat, which immediately took up the chase, which resulted in the capture of the party, one of whom was General Argentina, who was in command at Sidi Barrani.

R.A.F. ACTIVITY IN LIBYA AND EAST AFRICA LONDON, January 14. The R.A.F. reports at Cairo that raids were carried out ■■ on aero<dk,omes >at. (Berka and Benina, in Libya. Large fires were situ tea at Benina, where six enemy aircraft were seen blazing on the ground. Many' others are believed to have been put out ot action by bomb Spljntersi and subsequent machinegun fire. A large fire was sti'l burning fiercely when our aircraft left. The hangars and barracks were hit at Berka, with subsequent explosions. On the previous night, the railway and docks at Benghazi were attacked. a large explosion occurring. Raids were also made on th e barracks and defences at Derna, fires being started among the barracks. In Italian East Africa, night raids were also made on the aerodromes at Asmarat, Barentu, and Agowadat on January 12-13, while at Maiadaga a further attack was made on the Caproni workshops, where largo fires were caused among the build., ings. At Tessenti yesterday, an attack was made on motor transport concentrations, one large and several small fire- being started. From these operations in East Africa, all our aircraft returned safely. ITALIAN TRIBUTE ROME, January 14. The radio, broadcasting to America says: “We have not denied, nor shall, we deny, that the British have given us hard knocks in North Africa. Our losse s are considerable in men and material, and there is no attempt to belittle the tactical success General Wavell has succeeded in obtaining. The British offensive is well, organised, and the forces are magnificently equipped. This is the reason for their success. We are prepared to take off our hats to them.”