23 Jan 1941
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Jan 23, 1941
Page
1
British forces overwhelmed the Tobruk perimeter causing widespread Italian surrender after the outer defences were pierced. Archibald's command brought mechanised units to encircle a 30 mile perimeter with deep tank traps and barbed wire complicating the assault. fighters cleared ravines and secured the harbour area.
A British communique reports the offensive through Tobruk has penetrated both outer and inner defences by more than five miles on a broad front. Prisoners, including an Italian general, are taken as the Italian cruiser Ban Giorgio burns in Tobruk harbour. Mediterranean ships shell the town while RAF bombers and British ground batteries support the attack. Tobruk has endured 40 days of bombardment.
Australians present a desert ambulance to the British American Ambulance Corps. Costing 1 750 dollars with out equipment, the vehicle was designed by Australian engineers and delivered to America six weeks ago. Rome claims to identify the British forces as three Australian infantry divisions two regiments of heavy artillery two armored divisions and a motorised unit of Free Frenchmen.
London dispatch from a Daily Mail special correspondent details a dramatic RAF raid on Tobruk with multiple bombing passes, heavy anti air fire, and a vivid front seat account from a rear gunner. The piece covers the attack sequence from midnight through dawn with vivid imagery of explosions, tracer, and incendiaries.
Sydney reports a premature claim that Tobruk had fallen. Officials including Acting Prime Minister Fadden and Army Minister Spender denied official confirmation, noting the rumor emerged from a ministerial report yet lacked formal corroboration. Reuters cable from Sydney indicated London had no confirmation but found no reason to doubt the early penetration of Tobruk's defenses.
An analyst predicts further gains for British forces as Tobruk would fall once the British troops are ready. He cites discussions with General Wavell and Lieutenant General Blamey and suggests Italian positions up to 220 miles away are vulnerable to pursuit and capture.
Enemy bombers attacked Malta targeting the aerodrome but dropped bombs indiscriminately into the sea. Only one serious casualty occurred as raids were met by anti aircraft fire and searchlights. The Times notes German bomber bases grow, while Britain braces for Mediterranean supply lines and naval defense.
In the House of Commons Prime Minister Churchill disclosed that British losses reached 60,000 deaths in the first sixteen months of war, about half civilians. He noted Tobruk might already be in British hands as he spoke.
The minister announced sweeping industrial registration to mobilize every British worker for war. He said the system would call up more classes, including 19 year olds, and remove exceptions for vital war work while boosting armament output and naval tonnage.
The Ayro-Ansen bomber wreckage with four Air Force uniforms was located on Mt. Torbreck fifteen miles south of Ebden Weir by two sheep musterers. It is believed to be the aircraft that departed Point Cook for Camden on May 17 and vanished.
The Times reports in London that Norwegian saboteurs cut multiple cables in Western Norway, disabling an air raid alarm in one town. Authorities threatened collective punishment as repairs were costly and cables were cut again in the same district. Trondheim was fined among several towns.
Broad evacuation warning issued by British Consul-General Mr. W. McVittie to Britons in Yokohama and Tokyo urges departure via regular shipping routes before potential deterioration in Anglo Japanese relations. Notices warn that in war sailings could halt, evacuation become impossible, and Britons may be interned or lose consular contact.
The Minister for the Navy Mr Hughes questioned the Japanese Foreign Minister Mr Matsuoka's claim that British colonies hinder Japanese shipping. He said Australia was the only dominion with practical reference yet doubts Mr Matsuoka would state it clearly. He asked how Australia interfered and asserted good neighbourly relations.
Italian forces evacuated Kassala under British pressure and are pursued by British light armoured units and infantry. Italians withdraw rapidly, erecting a 20 mile retreat. Abyssinian cooperation with British forces grows as Ras Kassa arrives in Khartoum. The Coptic Patriarch heads to the Sudan. Haile Selassie to join in exile. Italian petrol shortages hinder operations. Italian communiques claim a motorised counterattack and bombing of a British warship in the Aegean Sea.
Acting Prime Minister Mr. Fadden stated full liability for Lady Blamey’s return from the Middle East would be accepted. No exact date was fixed by the Cabinet for her return and a notice would be sent to sea a few days in advance.
United States senators unanimously approve a bill authorizing the Navy to spend 300000000 dollars to strengthen anti aircraft defences of the fleet. President Roosevelt says he never contemplated using ships to ferry supplies to Britain and denies plans to convoy British goods to Iceland. He also mentions executive orders to freeze assets of foreign countries if emergencies arise.
Mr F J Shea of the Australian Aircraft Construction Commission said American aircraft supplies to Britain would be trebled in five months possibly quadrupled. He noted contracts over £39,000,000 for aircraft parts and a coordinated mass production programme linking Douglas Consolidated Martin North American and other firms with Ford General Motors and Chrysler to build large bombers in Midwest plants. He expected fighters comparable to Britain's latest models.
A warning circulated stating that Norwegian actors would lose all performance rights in Norway and be barred from going abroad if they reenacted political content or appeared on radio, reflecting strict media restrictions and government control.
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