SEABORNE RAID ON TOBRUK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLII, Issue 22378, 16 September 1942, Page 5

SEABORNE RAID ON TOBRUK

Landing Against Strong Opposition Air Attack On Heavy Scale British Official Wireless (6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 14. The Admiralty has just announced that on the night of September 13-14 our light naval forces with a small Army Force carried out a seaborne raid on Tobruk in conjunction with an air attack on a considerable scale. Our forces landed in the face of strong opposition and inflicted casualties and damage on the enemy before withdrawing. The withdrawal was not carried out without losses which, in view of the strength of the defence, were to be expected. Another light naval force successfully bombarded enemy land communications in the El Daba area. This force returned to harbour, having suffered neither damage nor casualties. An Italian communique stated: “After prolonged air attacks by large formations the British last night attempted a paratroop landing at Tobruk under cover of naval units. British warships attempted to land troops simultaneously with the support of six cruisers and destroyers. “An Italian and German offensive promptly frustrated the attack. Two British warships were hit and set on fire. One of the ships subsequently sank.” A German communique, referring to this affair stated that a number of prisoners were taken. Rommel is reported to be increasing his night patrols on the El Alamein front and also strengthening his wire and minefields.