Mass Shelling Paves Way For Infantry Attack On Tobruk

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1941, Page 5

Mass Shelling Paves Way For Infantry Attack On Tobruk

Bomba Seaplane Base Abandoned By Italians

(Received 1.30 p.ra.) LONDON. January 13. XHE MASS SHELLING OF TOBRUK IS A CERTAIN PRELUDE TO AN INFANTRY ATTACK WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE LAUNCHED SOME DAYS HENCE.

British artillery is placed on high ground overlooking the coast, whence good observation is obtainable.

Patrols of mechanised Hussars continue to go out nightly to spy out the Italian disposition.

Reconnaissance planes have seen no sign of movements or. manoeuvres on the road and tracks to the west ni Tobruk.

Italian forces in Libya see; the defeat inflicted by the Britist

;n. to be completely paralysed by i forces.

Into New Positions,

A Cairo communique states that there is no change in the situation in Libya.

In the Kassala and Gallabat sectors active patrolling continues and we inflicted casualties on the enemy. British troops are now reported to be moving into new positions commanding approaches to Tobruk. The Italians, attempting to strafe the troops besieging the town, were driven back.

Italian artillery fire from Tobruk has slackened and the British guns are maintaining a desultory barrage before the final preparation for the infantry attack, for which the British troops are on their toes, an earlier message stated. Bomba Abandoned. The Italians are believed to have abandoned Bomba. The Italians attach much importance to the use of seaplanes which have used this base. The planes have been fitted to carry either bombs or torpedoes. All along the coast Italian air operations have diminished. The only aircraft seen by the Royal Air Force yesterday were machines on the ground. The capture of El Adem gives the Royal Air Force one of the finest airfields in Libya. It was completed last October and is as modern as any aerodrome in Europe. Accommodate Three Squadrons. El Adem is five minutes’ flight from Tobruk and can accommodate three squadrons. An Italian battalion is cut off at the Jarabub oasis. 150 miles south of Bardia and near the Egyptian frontier. In Cairo it is stated that it is only a question of time before the oasis falls into British hands. Water is plentiful at Jarabub. but supplies are extremely difficult to obtain, as the only roads are caravan tracks. Patrol Routed There is increasing activity elsewhere in Africa. A patrol routed an Italian force in the Metemma area and the Italians withdrew after a slight resistance, leaving 40 dead and many wounded. British casualties were very small. South African troops and Aybssinian tribesmen are expected soon to begin an intensified drive against the Italians in East Africa. General Smuts, in a spech at Johannesbui’g, said the time had come for action. Helping to clear the Italians from Abyssinia and British Somaliland would be South Africa’s role this year, j "We have previously helped to neutralise 200,000 Italians,” he said. Buna Evacuated A British Official Wireless message says the possibility that the state of affairs in Abyssinia, or the British capture of El Wak, in North Kenya, has impelled the Italians to evacuate the post of Buna is being discussed in military circles in London. The veoccupation of Buna by the I British after the evacuation of the Italians took place on Thursday last.