DAGGER OF TOBRUK

Southland Times, Issue 24440, 21 May 1941, Page 3

DAGGER OF TOBRUK

AXIS PLANS IMPEDED LONDON, May 6. A thorn in the enemy’s side that became a dagger—that will be the verdict on Tobruk when the story can be told fully and connectedly. The way the Australian and British troops comprising the garrison stab the enemy with stalwart defence, gallant counter-attacks, and stinging patrols, is winning admiration all over Britain. There is good reason to believe that the bravery and skill of the Tobruk garrison, combined with desert sweeps near Solium, are giving the Axis North African command anxiety. The British tactics are those which only troops well-versed in desert warfare can follow or deal with. The persistence of the enemy attacks on Tobruk is the measure of the inconvenience which the dagger in his left flank is to him. Consequently, more attempts of increasing strength can be expected shortly to oust the garrison. The Germans in Libya are showing some daring in spying, which was a feature of their fighting in Palestine in the last war. Several have been found dressed as military policemen. Two are said actually to have visited the Naval, Army and Air Force Institute’s (N.A.A.F.1.) canteen at Tobruk, without being recognized.

As a result of these German activities behind the British lines security measures have been greatly tightened up. Even well-known officers are held up until their identification papers have satisfied the inspecting police. The Cairo correspondent of The Daily Telegraph reports that many German prisoners are under-sized, and often clad in the queerest tropical dress. Some have been in the army only six months, and barely three weeks in Libya, coming from Germany through Naples and by small boats to Tripoli. Many are very resentful at being taken prisoner so soon. Few speak English.