SEVERE CLASHES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 130, 3 May 1941, Page 7

SEVERE CLASHES

IN TOBRUK AREA.

NAZI TANK LOSSES

LONDON, May 2. The latest despatches from the Middle East describe the fighting proceeding in the Tobruk area, where the Germans are reported to have lost .11 tanks in the course of a violent attack on the outer perimeter of the defences.

A communique states that the enemy launched a vigorous tank and artillery attack, concentrating on- the west and south-west points of the perimeter, but our forces counter-attacked with such good affect that they destroyed 11 tanks.

The enemy were assisted in their land operations by dive-bombers, which launched a heavy rain of fire on the Allied forces. A Cairo commentator says the attack on Tobruk was probably started because the forces at Solium are unable to proceed any further while the garrison holds out at Tobruk. Our patrols continue to harass the enemy, anil tho spokesman said both sides "were jockeying lor cat-and-mouse positions. A British Official Wireless report says: — A communique from British Headquarters in the Middle Jiast confirms j that fighting is proceeding at Tobruk. I Throughout yesterday tho enemy continued to attack the outer defences of j Tobruk.

The enemy attack, which was firetjj mentioned in yesterday's communique, j took place at night, when tanks pene-; trated the soutn-west of the oater I perimeter delences. This would not be j a particularly difficult operation, be- : cause the outer defences probably con-i sist of small posts with barbed wire be- ! tween.

A communique from the It.A.F. in the Middle East states that in Cyrcnaica yesterday 11.A.F. aircraft continued their attacks on enemy positions and communications as well as affording protection to our forces against attack from the air during the giound operations. Enemy dive-bomb-ers and fighters, which appeared in large numbers over Tobruk to support the operations of their giound troops, were engaged by our fighters and three Messerschmitt 109's were shot down in flames.

I During last night and the preceding ; night our bombers raided the harbour |and other military objectives at Ben- , ghazi. Large numbers of incendiary bombs were dropped on shipping, and : one vessel was set on fire; an ammunition dump was also blown up and large fires followed the explosion. The aerodrome at Benina was again bombed and enemy transport near Aeronia. in 'the Tobruk area, was both bombed and machine-gunned, many direct hits [being observed on lorries, and casualties were caused among the troops. DARING ATTACK. j Swooping down low over the esearp;ment, a Royal Air Force pilot carried |out a daring machine-gun attack on enemy tanks and motor transport in I the Solium area on April 29. says the Air Ministry News Service. He made 1 the first attack on four enemy tanks after diving low to ensure that his fire j would have the greatest possible effect. I Tho pilot then made for a concentration of enemy motor transport. Pressing home the attack with equal vigour he saw as he turned away several lorries in Hames and then observed a detachment of German troops rushing I forward and waving red flags with swastika emblems on them. The Germans had apparently mistaken his aircraft for one of their own and the [pilot was able to report heavy easual- | ties on the enemy. Jt is officially stated in Borne that. Brigadier-General Miele, Chief of Staff in the Superior Command of the Italian forces in North Africa, has died of wounds received in a British air raid on Tripoli. IN ABYSSINIA. further progress lias been made in Abyssinia with the repair of the'-roads, enabling our forces to increase their pressure on the enemy positions covering Amba Algi. Our troops have occupied Behrdur and Debub. The operation* continue to progress successfully! in the southern areas. ! Enemy positions attacked by the R.A.F. at Amba Alagi and near! Alomata. and an enemy fortress in the pass at Falag was heavily bombed, about oO direct hits being observed. J

INDIANS' COURAGE

KEREN FEAT RECOUNTED. (British Official Wireless.) I RUGBY, May 1. Despatches which have j list been I received from the Eritrean front pay j high tribute to the bravery of the Indian troops in the capture of the fortress of Keren, a natural defensive j position set among soaring hills. Along the road dominated from the heights and up a,',i over the peaks themselves, the Indian troops fought their way to victory. Eor more than a month the battle swayed on the ridges, fierce counterattack ceaselessly following attack. The final attack was launched one night and pressed relentlessly all the next day, cutting into the heart of the Italian position and leaving thousands of the enemy isolated on the I heights on either flank. Midland and Indian troops surged down from the captured fort of Dolo-j gorodoc to conquer vital hills. Along! tile railway two miles from Keren they smashed their way through a I whole colonial brigade and a regiment of Carabinieri in their dash forward. Even as they consolidated their position Scottish troops were swarming up the 6000 ft mountain ol Sanciiil, the most heavily defended Italian position, and enemy troops were being routed out at the. bayonet point.- Soon they waved a white flag and surrendered.

In Keren Gorge, where four miles Irom the town the Italians blasted "2000 yards out of the road to block the advance, our soldiers were fighting band to hand with machine-gun crews. Even while? this fighting was going on Indian sa.ppers were at work dynamiting a new K way through while Bren carriers followed close behind. The enemy made a last desperate charge, but it was shattered by machine-gun and artillery fire, and 'they were halted. For the final advance British and Indian infantry, shouting and cheering, swept forward. They climbed up to the top of the peaks and then down the other side to race into Keren. Meanwhile sappers had cleared the blocked road and tanks and troops passed along it and into the town. Mr Churchill, in a message to the Viceroy of India, a few days after Keren fell, said: "The whole Empire has been stirred by the achievements of the Indian Forces in Eritrea." A message from Nairobi emphasises the 'speed with which the victorious Empire troops advanced 1800 miles ■icross Abyssinia in 60 days, and points out that the enemy hod neither the time nor the morale to make any determined stand. The report also describes the part played by troops from

many parts of the Empire inMhc Abyssinian campaign. The King's African Rifles started the advance. The BouVh Africans smashed the Italian resistance over the Juba River and at Diredawa, and later led the victorious infantry into Dessye. The Nigerians stormed Brava and Mogadishu, while troops from the Gold Coast broke the Italian morale in the Juba country.