TOBRUK RAIDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 197, 22 July 1941, Page 5

TOBRUK RAIDS

MORAL SUPERIORITY.

ENEMY ON DEFENSIVE. (United Press Association—Copvrigl>. f ..) (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 21. The fact that the British forces at Tobruk have, by their frequent recent raids, attained moral superiority over the enemy is emphasised in a Middle East communique from Cairo Headquarters.

“During the night of July 19-20,” says the communique, “British and Indian patrols again carried out a series of raids which were as remarkable for the success attained as for the scarcity of casualties sustained by our troops. Several enemy strong points around Tobruk were attacked. “In one of them serious losses were inflicted upon the enemy before our patrol withdrew. “In another area an Indian patrol was attacked by the enemy in force. Our patrol immediately counterattacked with a bayonet charge, indicting many casualties and forcing the enemy to retire in disorder.

“This patrol, which has acted throughout with the greatest gallantry, finally withdrew without the loss of a man.

“It is evident that our forces in Tobruk, by their aggressive spirit and robust tactics, have obtained complete moral superiority over the Axis forces confronting them. “There is no change in Abyssinia. An R.A.F. Middle East communique says heavy bombers of the R.A.F. continued their attacks on the harbour at Benghazi. Bombs were dropped on the base of the Cathedral Mole on Saturday night, also near military headquarters, Government buildings, and railway sidings. The fires and explosions caused by the bombing attack of the previous night were also seen.

Our bombers also attacked military objectives at Tripoli. Bombs exploding on the power station blew masonry into the air. Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm bombed the harbour and shipping at Tripoli. Fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. headed off a number of enemy bombers escorted by Messerschmitt 109's which attempted to attack our shipping off the North African coast. Two ol our planes arc missing.—Official Wireless.