SUCCESS AT TOBRUK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 138, 13 May 1941, Page 5

SUCCESS AT TOBRUK

ENEMY SURPRISED. PRISONERS CAPTURED. (United Press Association—Copyright) (British Official Wireless.) (Ree. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, May 12. A Cairo communiqiie says: Our mechanised patrols at Tobruk surprised a considerable party _of the enemy, inflicting casualties and capturing 32.

In the Solium area, our patrols yesterday, continuing their harassing tactics, captured an enemy tank and a motor anti-tank vehicle.

Expert observers’ figures show that Tobruk fortress had 077 planes over the perimeter and harbour between April 9 and April 30. Junkers and dive-bombers made 386 raids during that period. The Suez Canal zone was bombed for the third successive night on Sunday. As on the previous night, only slight damage was done.

AREAS RECAPTURED

HEAVY FIRE ENCOUNTERED. LONDON, May 12

Australian infantry at Tobruk last night made a moonlight counter-attack and recaptured several strong points from the Germans. The counter-attack lasted from midnight till the early hours.

The Germans used flame-throwers i'u an attempt to fight off flic advancing infantry. The Australians, in spite of a lia.il of machine-gun bullets and .slicil-firc from three directions, succeeded in narrowing the German salient and inflicted heavy casualties.Tho force holding the salient was previously heavily pounded b.V ( artillery. which blasted numerous German tanks and lorries, the wreckage of which is strewn over the battlefield.

HEAVY FLYING RAIDS. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec 1.10 p.m.) RUGBY, May 12. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states that air activity in Cyrena.ca was more pronounced yesterday. Heavy raids were made on Benghazi, where ships were attacked and three large fires started on the mole. At Benina three Junkers 52 s and another airerait were set on fire, while at Bcrka direct hits were obtained cm buildings to the north-west of the landing ground. El Ganala was also raided. At Derna the landing ground, upon which a number oi enemy aircraft were dispersed, was attacked and motor transport in the vicinity bombed and machine-gunned. Considerable damage was caused to enemy mechanised units at various other places between Tobruk and Derna. One Messerschmitt 309 was attacked and destroyed.

PROGRESS 3N ABYSSINIA. (Rec. 13.30 a.m.) RUGBY, May 32. A Cairo communique says: Advancing from the north toward Amba Alagi, Indian troops again made important progress, capturing Gumsu and taking four pack-guns, together with quantities of other war material. Meanwhile. South A trican troops are continuing to advance northwards on Amba Alagi. The operations in the southern areas are proceeding well. An Addis Ababa message says Haile Selassie lias declared Ins intention to release the British forces liom 10conquering Ethiopia and aid in tlieii fight against aggression elsewhere. The Emperor’s message to President Roosevelt says the atonement or the unprovoked aggression against Ethiopia in 3935 may prove to be the beginning of a disaster for all aggressors.