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Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1942, Page 3

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THAN IN PREVIOUS SIEGE SOME DETAILS OF ASSAULT ON TOBRUK. RAILHEAD IN ENEMY HANDS. LONDON, June 21. The "Daily Express” correspondent in the Western Desert says that Rommel massed nearly the whole of his six divisions against Tobruk, outnumbering the defenders three to one, About nine a.m. yesterday two panzer divisions and the Italian Ariete Division attacked the perimeter’s weakest point, near El Duda. The defenders made a brief stand, and fell back to the interior positions, which are five miles to the north-east. Elements of the German 19th’ light infantry rushed the gap and dug in under the protection of heavy guns, and when the infantry was firmly established, the artillery was again moved up. Meanwhile the other enemy forces were engaging the defenders all round the perimeter, and all Tobruk was under heavy fire. The bitter fighting continued early today. The garrison consisted of a mixed force of British and Allied troops, with few tanks and guns. The garrison was far fewer than during the previous siege. It can now be revealed that the British had pushed the railway from Egypt and also a new water pipeline almost into Tobruk, the correspondent says. The Germans hold the railhead, and also part of the pipeline, but no rolling stock has been trapped. The water was cut off before the battle.