VALUE OF TOBRUK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1941, Page 5

VALUE OF TOBRUK

HARBOUR & ROAD JUNCTION MORE ABOUT DEFENCES. WESTWARD AND SOUTHERN COMM UN I CATIONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. January 8. Tobruk, one of the best natural harbours on the North African coast, takes a central place in British newspapers following the announcement that special forces .are concentrating in the area. The harbour is formed by a proms.n-'"<-t(iry and is well protected front wind.usd having a depth of -l.'ift at thio centre and Tift up to within 1000 yard:. <>f the extreme western end. it can b«* used hi all weather:. There .are three wooden jetties. the homiest of which can serve ships of medium tonnage. Since its capture by the Italianfrom the Turks in 1911 the town has been almost entirely rebuilt of stunt’’ and laid out on a rectangular plan It is the capita] of the Manr.nrica area j of Libya, and it had n tiopijlation ini 191)7 of -1130. including 22i< I'alianThis number had incn-a ’-d ‘n 822 in. t'Gfl The town enclosed r. defensive w.dl and long def.-n.-.-. haw been constructed <n the landward : :dv since the outbreak >■ the war The water -apply : ■ and drinksr.g Water hie. tn bo brought fr.un Dcrn-i Two fi'.id-; run south'.'.ard from T---brui; <■!!'' turning east u» I’ard-e the other i-aith to El Adetn, w-herr j'.:;:'. 'hl* jilni’ti.-n <.f the Si.lh'rn ; Jurabub road's V.’<- from the! town rum. .. n.r-ialh'd uad Dm.j . r