The Archive · 1941

British Troops Drive to West

Having Well Earned Rest Before Following Advanced — Armoured Units Out of Captured Tobruk

Tobruk, Jan. 25. FPHE army of General Sir Archibald Wavell is on the eve of a general drive to the west following the capture of Tobruk—often called Marshal Graziani's eastern stronghold.

With great audacity, advanced armoured divisions are already. operating to the west, and the full strength of the Imperial army is shortly to follow them.

Meanwhile, every man is having a short but needed rest after the strenuous battle.

The total number of prisoners taken at Tobruk is not yet available.

Thousands are still waiting in desert prison camps to be transferred to the east.

'The Tobruk garrison, it is now revealed, was partly' taken surprise, Tt appears that they first expected an attack on Tobruk two days after the fall of Bardia, and made strenuous preparations accordingly, When the attack did come, they did not expect it to be launched on the particular section of the outer defences where it was launched.

'When a few days after the fall of Bardia the weather worsened and terrific sandstorms developed, the Mallans did' not think that British attack was developing and slackened their defensive preparations. As a result they were taken somewhat by surprise at the zero hour.

Tialion gunnery during the brief engagement reached a high standard, Following the fall of Tobruk an Mahon commander said: "It was impossible to stand up to the tenacity of your infantry and the strength of British mechanized units, which was

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