OUTPOST OF EMPIRE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 179, 12 November 1941, Page 3

OUTPOST OF EMPIRE

devastation at tobruk btjt ALLIES WILL HOLD OUT

WREGK-iSTREWN HARBOUR

Lying in the wreck-strewn harbour of Tobruk is the pattered shell of a tiny British warship which went down with all her guns firing under the concentrated attack of 15 Nazi dive bombers (writes G. E. W. Harriott, Sydney Morning Herald war correspondent in the Middle East).

Fluttering defiantly above the town and shattered superstructure, her battered White Ensign is still flying, recalling that other gallant British seaman who told his officei s on the eve of an engagement against almost hopeless odds: "I have taken soundings, gentlemen, and I'll sink with a 4ood will, for my Hag will still be dying." That little shred of bunting, with its brave defiance of disaster, epitomises the spirit of 10. bruk. This little ship lias not even noAV had all her fangs drawn. A gunner who had served in her • for many years begged permission to mount a machine gun on that part of hei superstructure still unsubmerged, and this was granted. He now lives ashore, and whenever the air raid alarm sounds rows furiously out m a little boat and mans his gun. He is credited with more than one plane. Oulr men pay high tribute toi the excellence of the British artillery, which is playing its part in the defence of T'obruk. Tliey say that the British gunners are deadly accurate and have caused the enemy heavy casualties. They are vastly superior to the enemy .artillery. The story of Tobruk's, epic defence —a defence which has captured the imagination of the public not only in Allied but in neutral countries, notably America —abounds in incidents of great personal courage, many of which will never be recorded, because the men responsible simply regard them as part of the j'ob, and not worth talking about.

During one of our counter-attacks an Australian officer and a sergeant came on an enemy tank, motioness, but firing. They got close to it without being seen. Tliey whipped open the litl of the turret and the officei dropped a grenade inside. They then slammed the lid shut and sat on it until the grenade exploded. That tank did not fire again. A little further on they saw another tank, motionless and not firing. They were not sure whether it was abandoned, but when they lifted the turret lid they heard the sound of voices talking in German. Another grenade was dropped in with the usual soldier's valediction, "Here's your lunch—share it among you!" Later they successfully attacked a third tank in the same manner. In all, they put three tanks completely out of action. A curious little incident occurred when the lines were closer than they are now. An Australian watercart came up to the front line, and the Diggers, gathered round to fill their water bottles. To their amazement they saw Germans coming from the enemy lines with their water bottles in their hands, apparently hoping to share in the distribution. They got a very much warmer reception than they bargained for.