Attacked by Land, Sea and Air Defences

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 8

Attacked by Land, Sea and Air Defences

I ‘ (From Our Own Correspondent.) Per Press Association. LONDON, April 30. The three enemy columns which have crossed the border into Egypt ore still held up where they were halted a few days ago—five miles east of Solium. They are being continually harassed by our land, sea and air forces. To-day's communique from British General Headquarters at Cairo says: “There is no change in the situation at Tobruk. Patrol activities at Solium are continuing. A unit of the Sudan Defence Force captured Socota, in Abyssinia, on Sunday, inflicting many casualties. A further 515 prisoners were taken, of whom 400 colonial troops immediately volunteered to enter the Emperor’s service. In all other areas, the activities qf our own troops and of the Abyssinian patriots continue steadily to clear the country of isolated detachments.” An R.A.F. Middle East communique says: “The R.A.F., on the night of April 28-29, attacked concentrations of enemy aircraft in Libya. Many bombs burst among dispersed aircraft. Our bombers also raided Benghazi harbour, many explosions occurring. “Our fighters continued to harass the enemy by low-level machine-gunning. Three enemy aircraft have been shot down by anti-aircraft guns over Tobruk in the past two days. “In Abyssinia, enemy, troops, positions, and ammunition dumps have been attacked in the Uadea area by the South African Air Force. Motor transport was destroyed, and heavy casualties were caused among white and native troops. Direct hits were registered on buildings at Tandeho aerodrome, and buildings at Sifani also were hit. “From all of these operations, four of our planes are missing.” Tobruk Not Cut Off. In surveying the latest developments in the Libyan situation (states British Official Wireless), it is important to bear in mind that Tobruk is not in any way a beleaguered fortress. Sea communications are still open, and there is' not even complete encirclement by the enemy on the land side. The situation is quite different from that at Bardia when the British invested and then took it. Australian raids from Tobruk have been so harassing that some of the enemy forces are preparing positions in the neighbourhood. On the Egyptian frontier, where three tnemy columns have crossed with the intention of taking a pass just above Solium, the Germans seem to be advancing with extreme caution, using Italian troops. Solium itself has never been regarded as a position to be held.