TOBRUK ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23955, 3 May 1941, Page 9

TOBRUK ATTACK

OUTER DEFENCE RING PENETRATION BY ENEMY FIGHTING CONTINUES (Rerd. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 2 A Middle East communique quoted by the British official wireless states: "In Libya on Wednesday evening enemy infantry in some strength, supported by a number of tanks, launched an attack against the outer defences of Tobruk. By morning a penetration had been made. Details are not yet available and fighting is continuing. "In the Solium area our patrols were again active, inflicting casualties and damage on the enemy." Vigorous Resistance All reports suggest that the enemy is meeting vigorous resistance from the inner forts at Tobruk. In tlie Solium area tlie enemy is making preparations for a short advance. Enemy reinforcements are coming up slowly from the rear. An Admiralty communique says the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet reports that our naval units carried out a successful bombardment of enemy troops and supplies in the El Gazala area of Libya. An R.A.F. communique states that heavy casualties were inflicted on enemy troops and motor transport in Cyrenaica yesterday. In the combat area a particularly severe attack was carried out by a formation of fighters on concentrations of enemy motor transport. At least 100 vehicles, 30 of which contained troops, were hit or damaged by machine-gun fire and 20 burst into flames. Airman's Daring Attack One of onr fighters intercepted four Messerschmitts 110, which were mach-ine-gunning troops near Sofaifi, and severely damaged two. Our fighters also shot down a Hensehel 125 near Combut. Swooping low over the escarpment a Royal Air Force pilot made a daring machine-gun attack on enemy tanks and motor transport in the Solium area on April 29. As he turned away he saw several lorries in flames. Then he saw a detachment of German troops rushing forward and waving red flags with swastika emblems on them. The Germans had apparently mistaken his aircraft for one of their own. He was able subsequently to report heavy casualties on the enemy. ITALIAN GENERAL KILLED (Rccd. 5.3. r > p.m.) LONDON, May 2 It is officially stated in Rome that Brigadier-General Miele, Chief of Staff of the Superior Command in North Africa, died of wounds suffered in a British air raid on Tripoli. EGYPTIAN CABINET (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) CAIRO, May 2 Five Independent Cabinet Ministers have placed their portfolios at the disposal of the Prime Minister, Hussein Sirry Pasha, in order to help the reorganisation of the Government on a wider basis. ITALY SEIZES SHIPS CONSTRUCTION FOR MEXICO (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) ROME, May 2 As a reprisal for the seizure of 10 Italian merchantmen in Mexican ports, Italy has seized three motor-ships being constructed in Italian yards for the Mexican Government. GERMANY'S INTENTIONS LONDON, May l According to official circles in Berlin j King George of Greece is not recognised | as a representative of Greece. He is ! regarded as an ordinary fugitive. Ger- | many will recognise the newly-formed Greek Government provided it agrees on the fullest collaboration with Germanv's war needs.