ATTACK ON TOBRUK

Southland Times, Issue 24420, 28 April 1941, Page 5

ATTACK ON TOBRUK

DEFENCES HOLD FIRM ASSAULT BROKEN UP BY HEAVY FIRE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, April 26. It is learned in London that at dawn on Thursday enemy infantry with artillery in support attacked the defences at Tobruk from the direction of Acroma. The attack was broken up by heavy fire before it reached the British defences and many of the enemy were killed. Desultory attacks against the western part of the defences continued all day without success. During the course of the day the British captured five officers and 125 other ranks. Our casualties were nil. The Air Ministry tells how rousing cheers and shouts of “one, two, three” up to eight, accompanied the crackle of Hurricanes’ guns as Royal Air Force fighters at Tobruk stalked their way among the escorted German bombers which raided the town a few days ago. The fighters shot down eight Germans into the sea and many others were so badly damaged that it is unlikely they regained their base.

HURRICANES IN ACTION The Hurricanes took off immediately and quickly shot down four. During the engagement about 20 escorting Messerschmitt 109’s attacked from above. Thrilled troops on the ground saw the Hurricanes take _on fighters with undiminished aggressiveness and send four diving to destruction. During the action one Hurricane pilot was killed. The fighters from Tobruk in this action brought down their 44th enemy aircraft. A Free French lieutenant, who already has a good record, brought down two of the eight and a squadron leader was equally successful. The spirit of the Tobruk defenders is stated to be high. A communique from Cairo states that near Solium our patrol and artillery activity has been intensified, causing the enemy considerable losses. . The operations about Dessye are continuing and further penetration has been made to a position covering the town from the south. A considerable Patriot foice is now co-operating in the area. Further south operations in all areas are proceeding satisfactorily. BENGHAZI RAIDED A Royal Air Force Middle East communique says that a further heavy raid was made on Benghazi on Thursday night. Direct hits were registered on the mole, with near misses on a tanker, a merchantman and a tug. Fires were started near military buildings. On the return journey our aircraft bombed and machine-gunned an enemy convoy near El Argub, some 80 miles from Benghazi. All the bombs burst among the enemy vehicles, causing two loud . C "V plosions and four very large, bright fires. Motor transport and enemy troop concentrations near Akroma and Derna were also attacked. In Abyssinia, our fighters maenmegunned the aerodrome at Combohcia and destroyed two C.R. 42 fighters on the ground. Enemy troops were attacked at Gimma and Argio. On the other fronts there is nothing to report One of our fighters is missing. Royal Air Force fighters today carried out several offensive patrols over northern France and the Channel. Two of the fighters are missing. One enemy fighter was shot down off the south-east coast.