In Furnace-Like Heat, Blistered Nazis Prepare Tobruk Assault

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1941, Page 6

In Furnace-Like Heat, Blistered Nazis Prepare Tobruk Assault

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 8. fERMAN INFANTRYMEN WITH FLAME THROWERS U MADE AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO DISLODGE THE AUSTRALIANS FROM THEIR DUGOUTS AND UNDERGROUND CONCRETE POSTS AT TOBRUK, REPORTS A BRITISH UNITED PRESS CORRESPONDENT INSIDE THE FORTRESS.

The alarm was given from a listening post near the front line, and the attackers were driven off by heavy fire from the main defence posts.

The Australians are full of praise for the British artillery, The Germans will never get through, said one Australian.

“From the front posts we see truck load after truck load of Germans go sky high as they are caught in the accurate fire of the British artillery.”

Temperature Over 100 Degrees

The Germans are preparing for their next asasult on Tobruk in a record heat wave, with the temperature well over 100 degrees and a sandiaden wind like a blast from a Metals get so hot that they blister the hands. The British garrison has cool bungalows and Italian-built underground raid shelters, but the Germans, who are not acclimatised, are exposed to the full blazing fury of the desert. There is not a tree for 50 miles. Tents become hot houses. The German tanks are not air-conditioned, and the men faint in them. Germans Learn Caution An officer from Tobruk said the way they had hurled back the last two attacks had given the Imperial troops additional confidence, and they were taking the initiative in whirlwind night patrol actions, in which they rob the Germans of machine-guns, rifles and all sorts of equipment. The Germans learnt to be cautious after the Australians had let entire motorised machine-gun units, behind a spearhead of tanks, to get inside the defence and then blew them to pieces from both sides, from the front and from behind. The garrison has plenty of food and wati^r. R.A.F. Bombings A communique from Royal Air Force headquarters in the Middle East states: “During Monday night the aerodromes at enina, Dema, Gazala, Bardia and Berka, as well as the harbour at Benghazi, were raided by our heavy bombers. A hangar was set on fire at Berka, causing large explosions, while at Benina bombs fell very close to dispersed aircraft, starting a number of fires. At the other targets the damage was also considerable.

“In Abyssinia,- the remnants of an Italian force were bombed and ma-chine-gunned persistently. “From these operations and others five of our machines are missing, but the pilots of two are safe.’’ Abyssinian Front

A communique from British general headquarters in the Middle East, dealing with the Abyssinian front, states: “Our converging movement upon Amba Alagi is progressing satisfactorily. While pressure from the north is increasing, Imperial troops have occupied Quoram, which is only 30 miles south of the main Italian position. In this operation a number of prisoners have been taken, including one general.

“In the southern area, our troops engaged enemy forces holding a strong position at Wadara, 30 miles south of Neghelli. This operation is also continuing favourably. On the northeast coastal sector, in Italian Somaliland we occupied Bender Kassin, capturing 100 Italian prisoners and a quantity of war material.” Patrols Active A communique issued from British headquarters at Cairo announces that in the Tobruk and Solium areas British patrols are again active. In Abyssinia, further positions covering the approach from the north to Amba, Alagi, have been captured, and a number of prisoners taken. In all other areas operations are continuing satisfactorily. Benghazi Breakwater Hit

In Libya, heavy and successful raids were carried out by R.A.F. bcmbers on military objectives at Benghazi and on landing grounds at Bei'ka and Benina, says the R.A.F. Middle East communique. Derna was also attacked.

At Berka fires and explosions were caused, a hangar was hit and two enemy aircraft on the ground were destroyed by fire. * At Benghazi bombs hit the central breakwater and fell near ships. Fires and explosions were caused near the customs house and cathedral mole. At Benina, buildings were hit and a number of bombs fell among enemy - aircraft dispersed on the ground. Several fires were caused at Derna, one large one in all probability being caused by enemy aircraft. Enemy Convoy Suffers

A number of reconnaissance flights were made and fighters carried out numerous patrols. The Gondar landing ground was attacked by Free French aircraft and enemy positions in other areas were raided with success.

Over the Mediterranean, R.A.F. aircraft attacked an enemy convoy, obtaining direct hits on two merchant ships, one of which was left smoking, and both had bad lists. An S.Bl was met and shot down into the sea.

Malta was raided by enemy aircraft on the night of May 6-7, when some damage was caused to property. Two Junkers 88’s were shot down by antiaircraft fire, and one by night fighters. From all the above operations our aircraft returned safely.