Tobruk Once Again Beats Off Attack

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 95, 22 April 1941, Page 5

Tobruk Once Again Beats Off Attack

DEFENDERS KNOCK OUT FOUR ENEMY TANKS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 20. A further enemy attack against the defences of Tobruk, in Libya, was successfully repulsed, says today’s communique from British General Headquarters at Cairo. Twelve German tanks penetrated the outer defences, but were driven off after four had been knocked out. “In the Solium area,” the communique adds, “our mobile columns and patrols again caused the enemy serious losses, and a number of prisoners were taken. “The columns advancing on Dessye, Italian stronghold in Abyssinia, are now in close contact with the enemy forces holding covering positions. Two hundred prisoners have so far been taken, and the fighting is continuing. *Our pursuit of the retreating Italians in Southern Abyssinia is proceeding, and the Italians are being harassed to an increasing degree by patriot activities.” R.A.F. Reinforced. Militarily, there is no change In the Libyan situation, says the Cairo correspondent of The Times. Our air force pilots continue to harass the Axis operations with marked success. It is understood that t!«~y have been considerably reinforced from East Africa. The R.AF.’s vigilance was demonstrated by a heavy raid which forestalled an Axis attempt to reopen Benghazi harbour to shipping. It is revealed that the German tanks were not supported by infantry in the latest attack against Tobruk, which shows that the enemy forces are thin in the forward areas of Cyrenaica. Indian motorised units which participated in the withdrawal across the region of Jebel Akhdar range are now engaged in the defence of Tobruk. of impregnable positins. “Much suffering and much hard work lie yet before us. We did not go into the Balkans expecting an easy time there. We knew too much of the German war machine for that. There will be a hard struggle before its menace comos to an end. But to break it we are determined since freedom and civilisation cannot co exist with it on the earth."