RAIDS ROUND TOBRUK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 169, 21 July 1941, Page 6

RAIDS ROUND TOBRUK

ONE LARGER THAN USUAL ENEMY’S MORALE AFFECTED (Recd. 6.30 p.m.) Rugby, July 19. An agency report from Cairo says a raid on the enemy position round the permieter of Tobruk, announced in a Middle East communique, was on a larger scale than the previous raids. It is evident from statements made by Italian prisoners, that these raids are having a devastating effect on the enemy’s morale. The number of prisoners captured was high in relation to the strength of the raiding parties, which consisted of British and Indian troops. Australians were responsible for most of the previous raids.—B.O.W. A successful raid by the defenders of Tobruk against the surrounding Axis forces is mentioned in to-day’s Middle East communique, which states: “During the early hours of Friday three simultaneous raids were carried out on a broad front against enemy positions facing the western perimeter of Tobruk. So successful was this large-scale patrol activity, that for nearly three hours the enemy put down an extensive artillery barrage along the whole face of our perimeter. With little loss to ourselves, serious casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Two guns were destroyed and prisoners were taken. Throughout the operation the British and Indian troops which were engaged showed admirable initiative and determination, demonstrating the highest degree of training and physical fitness. “These continuous and deep penetrations by our patrols are evidently exercising a serious effect on the morale of the Axis forces holding the positions outside our perimeter. “In the frontier area patrol activity was continued yesterday. An enemy armoured fighting patrol was engaged and put to flight. “There is no change in Abyssinia. “In Syria all is quiet. The occupying of strategical points in the northern area by British and Indian troops is progressing without incident.”—B.O.W.