LITTLE ENEMY PROGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 April 1941, Page 5

LITTLE ENEMY PROGRESS

OVER 1500 AXIS PRISONERS TANKS AND PLANES DESTROYED [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] London, Apl. 22. The latest reports of the engagements around Tobruk state that the enemy made little progress in the past week. A correspondent at Tobruk describing the latest attack says it began about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when 12 German tanks broke through the defences. They came up out of a swirling dust storm. Several were knocked out by fire from our anti-tank guns and after a determined effort the rest of the enemy tanks turned back. Infantry following behind the tanks were sent back by artillery fire. Eight hundred and forty-seven prisoners, including a German officer and an Italian colonel were taken, and the total number of enemy tanks destroyed was brought up to 33, in addition to 24 planes. To date the number of German and Italian prisoners taken is 1500. The Tobruk garrison includes Indian troops. PATROL ACTIVITY [British Official Wireless] (Rec. 9.50 a.m.) Rugby, Apl. 21. A Cairo communique states: “There is nothing of importance to report in the Tobruk sector. Our patrols have again been active in the Solium area. Fighting about Dessie continues. Further south in Abyssinia satisfactory progress has again been made on all sectors by our troops, who continue to closely pursue the enemy. A communique from Rome states that the enemy’s attempt to land at Bardia was beaten off, and troops who succeeded in landing were captured.