24 Jan 1941
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Jan 24, 1941
Page
1
Australian forces captured Tobruk after a rapid assault led by Australian and British units. The communique reports under 500 Australian casualties and about 14 000 prisoners taken, including senior Italian commanders and staff officers. The fall ends a pivotal campaign with mopping up and substantial gun and ammunition gains.
British sappers led the dawn attack at Tobruk with heavy artillery and tanks as Australian and British troops surged through gaps in the Italian defences. The onslaught, conducted from land sea and air, captured key posts and forced Italian surrender. The operation mirrored early Bardia tactics and aimed to seize the harbour and base communications, bringing Tobruk under Allied control and crippling Italian advance in Egypt and Libya.
Rome admits Tobruk news is not cheering but urges calm and defense over offense. The Navy Minister calls Tobruk’s fall splendid, while opposition leaders see it as a forerunner to more Allied gains with Australian soldiers prominent in the campaign.
Sydney reports that Tobruk resistance ceased shortly before midday yesterday with some mop up still underway. The Army statement, released to the minister, cites prisoner and casualty figures and notes ongoing post-action duties.
The Naval Board says Australian destroyers under Captain H. M. L. Waller operated along the Libyan coast since December. They conducted coast bombardment, supply runs, casualty evacuation, and enemy shipping interception, aiding army efforts amid difficult conditions.
A fragile front line story describes Italian withdrawal to Eritrean highlands while British forces push across mine strewn terrain. Troops from India Sudan and Baul Africa form a long column along the 1200 mile Red Sea to Lake Rudolf frontier as Abyssinian orders prepare for a risky march into enemy territory. The Emperor meets the commander and a new Australian contingent joins the raid with a young New South Welshman leading regulars in Abyssinia now marching toward enemy grounds.
RAF fighters swept from Dover to the River Sommer and attacked aerodromes and troops on the ground. The German agency said a small number of bombs fell in western Germany with minor property damage. The Luftwaffe attacked Dusseldorf. the raid was lighter than recent operations but concentrated and effective. Bad weather limited enemy night activity over Britain afterward.
Australian General Staff head Lieut General Sturdee arrived in Sydney from the Middle East and said Italian prisoners hindered British progress in Libya. He noted transport water and logistics as major tasks and suggested Tobruk might have fallen sooner without the prisoners. He praised the AIF’s improved training and readiness versus 1914.
The Army Minister Mr Spender said a Melbourne Army Secretariat error led to a premature Tobruk fall announcement. He reported coordinating with Middle East authorities to speed news and called for explanations at the Advisors War Council meeting.
A Daily Telegraph correspondent from Al Khar iqum reports Axis troops pushing through thorn forest toward Abyssinia as intense HAF actions bite behind Italian lines. Inside sources from Khar toum fear a total breakdown of Italian resistance in North Africa within three months amid a surge in desertions.
Bucharest radio reports Iron Guard forces control ministries and key bases in Bucharest and Constanza while clashes spread. Six hundred legionnaires mass near the Premier's office then gun the building. Antonescu appeals for order as fighting continues in Romanian provinces with German troops sent in. Officials cite thousands killed and shifting Balkan positions. Turkey warns of readiness on the border and American plans to aid Greece emerge amid Balkan tensions.
Greek night communique says 150 prisoners and war materiel were captured near Struga as Italian counter-attacks were repulsed. Greek forces fortify positions in Tepelena as 126,000 Italian troops arrive in Albania. Athens reports Cavalieri demotes several Italian generals and officers amid renewed efforts to deter desertions.
The Governor orders universal conscription due to Italian and German air raids and invasion threat. Local units like the Pioneer Corps are formed to build defence works and residents enroll in the local defence forces.
In Washington on Thursday Secretary Morgenthau released revised figures showing United Kingdom gold and dollar holdings in the United States totaling 1,811,000. The prior figure cited was LT75,000,04M dollars.
Bangkok Reuters dispatch reports talks underway between Chai Government and French Indochina Government on a settlement of their dispute as Thai forces reach the Mekong River and seize Muukao opposite Pakxe with air force support. Civilians cheer air over Pakxe amid hope of peace.
Sydney reports the Australian General Staff chief Lieut General Sturdee said men overseas over forty are too old for active duty. He noted severe physical strain in the Egyptian desert and that brigade commanders are generally past forty with Italian commanders after forty.
Colonel Lindbergh told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the United States faces no invasion threat while maintaining a reasonably sized armed force. He urged rapid air force expansion to 10,000 modern planes and supported building air bases in Canada, the Caribbean, the Galapagos, and other locations to deter European conflict.
The Foreign Affairs Committee shows 15 of 25 members support the Bill. Colonel Lindbergh to testify tomorrow. Hamilton Fish proposes a 2 billion dollar credit to Britain to buy American war supplies. Taft aims to authorize fourty dollar loans via the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for 12 months. McNary opposes the bill in current form seeking time and cost limits. Norman Thomas testifies opposing the bill, noting doubts about Britain’s fleet as vital to US security. The State Secretary notes removal of the moratorium on aeroplane exports to Russia to ease Russia-US relations.
The War Office states the International Red Cross with Germany's approval will repatriate severely wounded British prisoners of war unable to fight again. Medical Commissions in Britain Canada and Germany will handle the exchange process.
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