Tobruk Repels Another Enemy Attack

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 99, 28 April 1941, Page 5

Tobruk Repels Another Enemy Attack

Defenders Thrilled as Hurricanes Roar to Victory EIGHT GERMAN PLANES DOWN IN FEW MINUTES (British Official Wireless.) Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m. RUGBY, April 26. It is learned in London that at dawn on Thursday enemy infantry with artillery support attacked the defences of Tobruk from the direction of Acroraa. The atack was broken up by fire before it reached our defences and many of the enemy were killed. Desultory attacks against the western part of our defences continued all day without success. In tho course of the day we captured five officers and 125 other ranks. Our casualties w'ere nil. The Air Ministry tells how rousing cheers and shouts of “One, two, three” up to “eight!” accompanied the crackle of Hurricanes’ guns us R.A.F. fighters over Tobruk stalked their way among escorted German bombers which raided the town a few days ago. The fighters shot down eight Germans in to the sea and many other* were so badly damaged that they were unlikely to have regained their bases. The Hurricanes took off immediately and quickly shot down four. During the engagement about twenty escorting Messerschmitts 109 attacked from above. The thrilled troops on the ground saw the Hurricanes take on the lighters with undiminished aggressiveness and send four diving to destruction. During the action one Hurricane pilot was killed. The Tobruk fighters in this action brought down their 44th enemy aircraft. A Free French lieutenant who already had a good record brought down two of tho eight and a D.F.C. squadron-leader was equally successful. The spirit of the Tobruk defenders is stated to be high.