Enemy Posts at Tobruk Attacked

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 109, 9 May 1941, Page 7

Enemy Posts at Tobruk Attacked

PRISONERS TAKEN RUGBY, May 7. During the night of May 5/6, our troops at Tobruk successfully attacked tforward enemy posts, inflicting casualties and taking a number of prisoners, says to-day's communique from British General Headquarters at Cairo. Yesterday, communication and oh servation were again made difficult by a severe sandstorm, and further details are still lacking. In the Solium area, our mechanised forces continue their vigorous patrolding activities. The German hammering at Tobruk has eased off, partly owing to a stifling sandstorm and partly owing to temporary exhaustion from last week’s attacks. Dive-bombing has slackened, although the Germans are still attacking shipping in the port and in the approaches. The garrison, which is under the

command of the Australian General Morshead, consists chiefly of Australians, with some English and Indian troops. They are constantly attacking the Germans, and these attacks, together with shelling and bombing, are inflicting considerable losses on the enemy. The Germans bring up artillery and mortars at night, but their accuracy Is unimpressive, and the garrison remains confident. It includes some of the hardiest troops in the army of the Nile—notably some Australian sappers who walked 300 miles in 16 days after escaping from the enemy and passing through his lines. Patrols continue to harass the Germans in the Solium region, and their success has forced the Germans to send out patrols to protect their coastal forces. The Germans have found trackdriven armoured vehicles unsuitable for prolonged desert operations, and are gradually discarding some types of tanks in favour of heavy eightwheeled armoured cars mounting a gun.