ATTACK ON TOBRUK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1941, Page 6

ATTACK ON TOBRUK

REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS TO ENEMY BRITISH PATROLS AGGRESSIVE .JN SOLLUM AREA. PROGRESS IN ABYSSINIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, April 25. A Cairo communique states:— In Libya yesterday, the enemy made a further attack on the outer defences of Tobruk. This was repulsed witn heavy enemy losses. The enemy left in our hands two officers and 125 of other ranks, of whom a number arc Germans. “In the Solium area, our patrols have again been aggressive. "Our forward move in the Dessie sector, in Abyssinia is again continunig. During operations yesterday the enemy sustained heavy casualties. Over 700 prisoners have so far been counted. “North-west of Addis Ababa, a further 112 prisoners were captured from another enemy column, which is being closely pursued. “Further south, pressure on the enemy is being maintained in all sectors. R.A.F. ACTIVITIES IN LIBYA AND ABYSSINIA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.18 a.m.) RUGBY. April 25. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "In Cyrenaica enemy transport and mechanised units were persistently bombed and machine-gunned by aircraft of the R.A.F. yesterday. A considerable number of enemy vehicles was destroyed or damaged. Enemy aircraft dispersed on the landing grounds at Derna and El Gazala were bombed, but the weather conditions prevented full observation of the damage caused. Over Tobruk four enemy aircraft were shot down by one of our fighter squadrons, which has achieved very considerable success during ’ the last few weeks. “In Abyssinia, aircraft of the R.A.F. and South African Air Force continue to support our troops by bombing enemy motor transport and gun emplacements. “Malta was raided on April 23. Our fighters intercepted the enemy and in the ensuing combat one of our aircraft was lost. No material damage was caused by the raid. “Apart from the two fighters already mentioned (one of them lost in Greece) our aircraft returned from all these operations.”