TOBRUK CLASHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24024, 23 July 1941, Page 8

TOBRUK CLASHES

RAIDS BY PATROLS ENEMY DIGGING IN GERMANS WITHDRAWING HfcAYY CASUALTIES By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Rerd. fi.3o p.m.) LONDON, July 'J'2 Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy by patrols in two clashes around Tobruk. One occurred on the coast between the Bardia road and the sea, and the other west of the El Adem road, where the enemy counter-attacked the Indians, but were driven back by a bayonet

charge. Australian and Indian patrols have seized prisoners from 10 or 12 parts of the» one my linos, and also have made no-man's-land theirls right up to the enemy's barbed wire. ' Easy Prey 10/ Diggers An Australian officer said most of the Italians uro extremely young. They are wared of the Indians and are easy prey for veteran Diggers, Along the main desert front the Italians and Germans are digging-in around Solium and Hellfire Pass, where the.soiind of blasting is heard all day. Three developments arc emphasised by the Daily Mail's correspondent in the Western Desert: First, the Germans are building fortifications on tho Libyan frontier; second, Italian pilots and aeroplanes havo again appeared; third, more British fighters are Hying than previously on this front. It .is believed Italians are piloting German fighters, iTho conclusion is that Hitler is withdrawing personnel, and possibly jilso aeroplanes, from Libya. The Royal Air Force dominates the desert sky with jnore modern aeroplanes than beforo.

Moral Superiority

The fact that the British forces in Tobruk have, by frequent recent raids, attained moral superiority over the enemy is emphasised in a Middle East communique from Cairo headquarters, it says:—

"During the night of July 19-20 British and Indian patrols again carried out a series of raids which were as remarkable for the success attained as for the scarcity of the casualties sustained by our troops. Several enemy strong points around Tobruk were attacked. In one of them serious losses were inflicted on the enemy.

"in another area an Indian patrol was attacked by the enemy in force. Our patrol immediately counter-at-tacked with a bayonet charge, inflicting many casualties and forcing the enemy to retire in disorder. This patrol, ■which acted throughout with the greatest of gallantry, finally withdrew without the loss of a man. * "It is evident that our forces in Tobruk, by their aggressivo spirit and robust tactics, have obtained complete moral superiority over the Axis forces confronting them."

No reply has yet been received from the Governor or Jibuti following the British order to evacuate women and children from French Somaliland. BENGHAZI HARBOUR CONTINUED AIR ATTACKS ■y'h LONDON, July 22 A Royal Air Forco Middle East communique says: "Heavy bombers of the Royal Air Forco continued their attacks on the harbour at Benghazi. Bombs were dropped at the base of the cathedral molo on Saturday night, near the military headquarters, Government buildings and railway sidings. Fires and explosions, caused by a bombing attack on the previous night, were §een. "Our bombers also attacked military objectives at Tripoli. Bombs exploding on. the power station blew masonry into the air. Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm also bombed tho harbour and shipping at Tripoli. "Fighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force headed off a number, of bombers escorted by Messerschmitt 109's which attempted to attack our shipping off the North African coast. Two of our aeroplanes are missing."