SEVERE STORMS AT TOBRUK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 5

SEVERE STORMS AT TOBRUK

Operations Held Up By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. German spies wearing British uniforms have been discovered inside Tobruk, states the Cairo correspondent of the "Daily Herald.” Two of them made purchases at a canteen unit without being recognised. Since this discovery special squads have been searching the garrison for other spies. Strict security regulations have been imposed by the commander. The Berlin radio announced that air bases had now been established in Greece, particularly Peloponnesus enabling German aircraft to participate in the battle of Tobruk necessitating a flight of only 600 miles as compared with 1200 hitherto. , , An Italian communique Claims the occupation of six islands in the Cyclades group. . „ There has been little change in the situation at Tobruk. Severe sandstorms and the furnace-like heat are fully testing the endurance of the Germans. In the Solium area the activities of the British ground and air forces have been severely hampered by a heavy sandstorm, according to to-day s Cairo communique. In Abyssinia further progress has been made by the British forces advancing northwards from Dessie on the rear of the Italian position about Amba Alagi. Advancing from Neghelli, British troops ejected and inflicted heavy casualties on a strong enemy force holding a position covering Adola. In other sectors the advance is continuing.

Five Enemy ’Planes Destroyed Two very heavy Royal Air Force bombing attacks on enemy aerodromes and landing fields in Cyrenaica axe recorded in the Royal Air Force Middle East communique which states: “A very heavy bombing attack was made on Sunday night on Benghazi harbour, Benina aerodrome, and the landing fields at Barce, Dema and El Gazala. At least five enemy aircraft were destroyed by fire at Benina, including one or more large Focke Wulf Condor troop-carrying aircraft. Enemy aircraft were also machine-gunned at Benina and Derna and fires and explosions occurred at Benghazi and Barce. “Our fighters and bombers were active yesterday attacking enemy mechanised units in the Bardla, El Adem, Fort capuzzo, and Solium areas. Considerable damage was done to vehicles and personnel. “Enemy aircraft raided Crete on Sunday but our fighters Intercepted and shot down one junkers 88 and damaged several others, while anti-aircraft fire damaged several more. “In Abyssinia aircraft of the R.A.F. and South African Air Force continued harassing operations against the enemy in the few areas still held by them. “From all these operations two of our aircraft are missing.”