LEAVING TOBRUK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24133, 27 November 1941, Page 11

LEAVING TOBRUK

AUSTRALIAN TROOPS LONG, STERN DEFENCE SCENES AT WITHDRAWAL CAIRO, Nov. 22 Most, of the Australian Ninth Division was withdrawn from Tobruk before the present British attack in Libya began, but a small Australian garrison is still there with British, Polish, Czech and Indian troops, to greet the relieving columns when they come. British warships brought in new troops, and evacuated the Australians by night, without the enemy realising what was happening. Not one man was killed or injured by hostile action. The withdrawal took six weeks, but the main movement of troops was completed in under a fortnight. Daily Bombing and Shelling During the siege of Tobruk —which began on April 10—the Australians were subjected to almost daily bombing and shelling, but they beat back re- - peated tank and infantry attacks, made no-man's land their own, and by unexpected sorties so harassed the Axis forces that an enemy attack on Egypt could never be developed. The Australian losses were 500 dead. The Australians held a sector of Tobruk for 194 days—eight days longer than the beleaguered garrison of MafeThose who were left behind cursed their luck when told that the warships which were to have taken them had not arrived, but, at their own request, they were back in the front line within 12 hours. The news that they would be withdrawn from Tobruk was received by the Australians with joy, but there was some disappointment, because _ they could not march out and share in the triumph of the victorious British drive which they knew must oome. Withdrawal at Night On the moonless night of October 1, a big batch of men of the Ninth Division left Tobruk, and throughout pitch-black nights the move went on smoothly and uneventfully. It was like school breaking -up, General Morshead, the commanding officer, said. "We were glad to be going, but we went out with our tails up." At the same time, Poles, Czechs and British troops were still being brought into the citadel to take the place of the Australians. It was a stupendous task, in some ways as perilous and difficult as Dunkirk. "Do you think they'll think at home that we're as good as the Anzacs?" one young private asked. He belonged to a battalion which had held a front of 6000 yds. on which sometimes 5700 shells had rained in one day—one shell to almost every yard. Bombs had burst among them, fighters had sprayed bullets like rain, enemy tanks had rolled relentlessly against them, and incredibly had been crumpled and hurled back. These men had suffered duststorms, heat, fleas, flies, sleepless nights when the earth shook with the roar of the enemy's bombardment. Smartening Up to Go If unable to march out as they wished, the Australians were determined nevertheless to go out spick and uniforms were discarded. Men stood in queues to put creases in trousers, and press tunics carefully preserved for this day. Colour patches were sewn on again neatly, and socks, shirts and underwear washed in the precious water ration. On the night of the withdrawal, enemy aircraft flew over Tobruk Harbour and dropped flares, but they failed to see the troops waiting to go, or the warships which would take The Poles were now holding the lines the Australians had vacated. Many [ came to say farewell to the Australians, ! with whom they had made many firm friendships. Badges, handclasps and | promises to write were exchanged. Raiders in the Night It was not until the men were walki ing heavily along white ribbons of road, [ ankle deep in dust, which led to the quaysides, that the drone of enemy aeroplanes cut into the silence. T.he first flares began to fall as the Australians hurried into the_ dark shadows of cliffs and wrecked buildings. The light of the flares silhouetted sunken ships in the harbour, but that was all. For an hour the night hate went on. Then, with the usual German precision, it ended. Black night came down like a blanket and the ships came in. Soon Australians had taken their places on the decks of the warships; the fleet, having unloaded supplies, put to sea again. History of Siege The Ninth Division relieved the Sixth Division, Cvrenaica, early in March, expecting to be a "holding force.' However, within a few days, it was fighting a desperate withdrawal action against German armoured divisions and the Luftwaffe, which had launched a strong counter-offensive. The division retired to Tobruk, and was surrounded by the encmv's land forces on April 10. ' The brilliant defence was marked by daring sallies, directed by Oencial Morshead. The greatest test was; on April 11, when a large force of beruinii tanks crashed through the hrst defence lines before being repulsed. General Morshead, in a special interview, said: " The great t lung about Tobruk was teamwork. There were British, Indians, Poles and Australians there, and their fighting was teamwork in the highest sense. Most outstanding in the defence was our aggressive patrolling and occupation of frontline outposts. Right from the very first day we determined that no-man s-land would be ours, and so it was.