ADVANCE AT TOBRUK

Southland Times, Issue 24438, 19 May 1941, Page 7

ADVANCE AT TOBRUK

BRITISH FORCES CAPTURE OF SOLLUM ANNOUNCED (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 17. It is learned in London that in Libya the British have advanced their lines in the Tobruk defence area. In Abyssinia British troops, arrived at Adola, 50 miles north of Neghelli, where they found 80 men who had deserted from the enemy forces. The occupation of Solium by the British forces has been announced by British General Headquarters in Cairo. The communique states: “In Libya,, as the result of limited operations carried out by our covering forces, British troops yesterday occupied Halfaya Pass, Musaid and Solium, inflicting serious casualties on the enemy and capturing a number of German prisoners.” READY FOR OFFENSIVE A statement issued by Mr A. W. Fadden, acting Prime Minister of Australia, declares that the British forces in the Tobruk and Solium area are now in a position to take the offensive. Further activity in Libya is recorded in another communique issued by British headquarters in Cairo, which states:— “Throughout yesterday advanced elements of British mechanized troops continued their pressure against the German forces holding positions in the Capuzzo area. We captured more than 500 German prisoners and a considerable number of their armoured fighting vehicles has been disabled. In the Tobruk area British and Australian troops carried out a limited counterattack in which heavy casualties were inflicted upon the enemy, who left as prisoners in oui - hands two officers and 60 German and Italian other ranks. In addition one medium tank, a howitzer and three Breda guns were destroyed. “Further progress was again made by Indian troops from the north and by South African troops advancing from the south against the Italian forces holding Amba Alagi. The latter are now practically surrounded. In the southern areas we occupied Giabissire, 12 miles north of Alge. In other sectors our advance is continuing. In northeast Italian Somaliland our troops occupied the important Italian port of Dante.”

The British operation resulting in the recapture of Solium was only of a local nature, its chief importance being the serious German losses, says the Cairo correspondent of the British United Press. The Royal Air Force put out of action more than 200 enemy vehicles in 24 hours. Fighter planes systematically straffed enemy troops, tanks and armoured units throughout the battle. An earlier peculiar sortie by the Germans had left their flanks uncovered and provided an opportunity for the British assault. The enemy, garrison is believed to have consisted solely of Germans when the British entered. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press states the spokesman claimed that German and Italian units had recaptured Solium.