Changes

On April 12 1941, the ''Brescia'' Division and the Germans attack the Tobruk defences, but the attack fails and Rommel is forced to call for reinforcements. On the night of April 30, a strong Italo-German force attacks the Tobruk defences again, and the ''Ariete'' and ''Brescia'' divisions along with elite Bersaglieri troops and Guastatori (combat engineers) involved capture seven strongpoints( R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> On the night of 3 May, the Australians counterattack but the Italians in the form of the '' Trento'', ''Pavia'' Divisions and some panzergrenadiers units repel the attack<ref>The Forgotten Axis: Germany's Partners and Foreign Volunteers in World War II, J. Lee Ready, p. 310, McFarland & Co., 1987</ref> and the attackers are only able to recapture one strongpoint from the defending Italian troops<ref>That magnificent 9th: An Illustrated History of The 9th Australian Division, Mark Johnston, p. 38,  Allen and Unwin, 2002</ref>During that week, it was reported that 30 Australian soldiers shot themselves in order to be evacuated.<ref>"In one five-day period in early May 1941, after the second major German assault on the  Red Line, medical units treated 30 cases of self-inflicted bullet wounds." A Medical Emergency: Major-General 'Ginger' Burston and the Army Medical Service in World War II, Ian Howie-Willis, p. 187, Big Sky Publishing, 2012</ref><ref>"More disturbing was the large number of self-inflicted wound (SIW) cases. During a single week in May the division reported thirty SIW cases..." Armies of Empire: The 9th Australian and 50th British Divisions in Battle 1939–1945, Allan Converse, p. 86, Cambridge University Press, 2011</ref>Australian morale took a dive and that month, an underground 'war neurosis clinic' was built in Tobruk and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair, and 207 Australian soldiers were admitted for treatment.<ref> "In May 1941 a 'war neurosis clinic' of 70 beds was established in an underground concrete shelter in the city. Of the 204 admissions treated by Lt Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair  61% were reported as serving with fighting units..." Shell Shock to PTSD: Military Psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War, Edgar Jones, Simon Wessely, p. 67, Psychology Press, 2005</ref>  

On April 12 1941, the ''Brescia'' Division and the Germans attack the Tobruk defences, but the attack fails and Rommel is forced to call for reinforcements. On the night of April 30, a strong Italo-German force attacks the Tobruk defences again, and the ''Ariete'' and ''Brescia'' divisions along with elite Bersaglieri troops and Guastatori (combat engineers) involved capture seven strongpoints( R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> On the night of 3 May, the Australians counterattack but the Italians in the form of the '' Trento'', ''Pavia'' Divisions and some panzergrenadiers units repel the attack<ref>The Forgotten Axis: Germany's Partners and Foreign Volunteers in World War II, J. Lee Ready, p. 310, McFarland & Co., 1987</ref> and the attackers are only able to recapture one strongpoint from the defending Italian troops<ref>That magnificent 9th: An Illustrated History of The 9th Australian Division, Mark Johnston, p. 38,  Allen and Unwin, 2002</ref>During that week, it was reported that 30 Australian soldiers shot themselves in order to be evacuated.<ref>"In one five-day period in early May 1941, after the second major German assault on the  Red Line, medical units treated 30 cases of self-inflicted bullet wounds." A Medical Emergency: Major-General 'Ginger' Burston and the Army Medical Service in World War II, Ian Howie-Willis, p. 187, Big Sky Publishing, 2012</ref><ref>"More disturbing was the large number of self-inflicted wound (SIW) cases. During a single week in May the division reported thirty SIW cases..." Armies of Empire: The 9th Australian and 50th British Divisions in Battle 1939–1945, Allan Converse, p. 86, Cambridge University Press, 2011</ref>Australian morale took a dive and that month, an underground 'war neurosis clinic' was built in Tobruk and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair, and 207 Australian soldiers were admitted for treatment.<ref> "In May 1941 a 'war neurosis clinic' of 70 beds was established in an underground concrete shelter in the city. Of the 204 admissions treated by Lt Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair  61% were reported as serving with fighting units..." Shell Shock to PTSD: Military Psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War, Edgar Jones, Simon Wessely, p. 67, Psychology Press, 2005</ref>  

On the night of 16 May, the ''Brescia'' Division retaliates with the help of two platoons of the 32nd Combat Engineer Battalion and breaches the defensive perimeter of the 2/9th and 2/10th Battalions. With the obstacles removed, the ''Brescia'' troops involved, who bring flame-thrower parties and tanks, capture S8, S9 and S10 strongpoints.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> The Australians fight back and the Commanding Officer of the Guastatori's, Colonel Emilio Caizzo is killed in a satchel attack and wins a posthumous Gold Medal for valour. Although the Australian Official History admits losing three positions, it claims the attackers were 'Germans'.<ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/07.pdf Maughan (1966), p.250]</ref> However, an Italian narrative has recorded:

On the night of May 16, the ''Brescia'' Division retaliates with the help of two platoons of the 32nd Combat Engineer Battalion and breaches the defensive perimeter of the 2/9th and 2/10th Battalions. With the obstacles removed, the ''Brescia'' troops involved, who bring flame-thrower parties and tanks, capture S8, S9 and S10 strongpoints.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> The Australians fight back and the Commanding Officer of the Guastatori's, Colonel Emilio Caizzo is killed in a satchel attack and wins a posthumous Gold Medal for valour. Although the Australian Official History admits losing three positions, it claims the attackers were 'Germans'.<ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/07.pdf Maughan (1966), p.250]</ref> However, an Italian narrative has recorded:

''With great skill and speed the Guastatori open three lanes in the mines and obstacles to let the Brescia Fucilieri through. Side by side with the Brescia assault troops they inflict heavy loses on the enemy and take out further strong points with explosives and flamethrowers.''<ref>[http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1451 GUASTATORI IN NORTH AFRICA. The XXXI and XXXII Guastatori Battalions in the North African Campaign]</ref>

''With great skill and speed the Guastatori open three lanes in the mines and obstacles to let the Brescia Fucilieri through. Side by side with the Brescia assault troops they inflict heavy loses on the enemy and take out further strong points with explosives and flamethrowers.''<ref>[http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1451 GUASTATORI IN NORTH AFRICA. The XXXI and XXXII Guastatori Battalions in the North African Campaign]</ref>

Australian military historian Mark Johnston states there was an "unwillingness to acknowledge reverses against Italians" in Australian official accounts.<ref>Fighting the Enemy: Australian soldiers and their adversaries in World War II, Mark Johnston, p. 13, Cambridge University Press, 2002</ref>

Australian military historian Mark Johnston states there was an ''"unwillingness to acknowledge reverses against Italians"'' in Australian official accounts.<ref>Fighting the Enemy: Australian soldiers and their adversaries in World War II, Mark Johnston, p. 13, Cambridge University Press, 2002</ref>

Major-General Leslie Morsehead was furious and ordered the Australians to be far more vigilant in the future.<ref>''"Today we lost posts R8, R9 and R10, the occupants having been taken prisoners in the circumstances set out in the attached document. This is the second time that portion of our garrison has vanished. As far as can be ascertained the number of casualties was negligible, the posts having been just mopped up – rather a new experience for the AIF."'' Australia in the War of 1939-1945. 4 volumes, Chapter 7: Midsummer in the Fortress, p. 251, Australian War Memorial, 1952-1968</ref>Among the objectives initially selected during the planning of [[Operation Brevity]] was the recapture of S8 and S9 strongpoints, but this was abandoned when it was discovered the Australians had recovered them.<ref>Tobruk 1941, The Desert Siege, Timothy Hall, p. 183, Methuen Australia, 1984</ref>

Major-General Leslie Morsehead was furious and ordered the Australians to be far more vigilant in the future.<ref>''"Today we lost posts R8, R9 and R10, the occupants having been taken prisoners in the circumstances set out in the attached document. This is the second time that portion of our garrison has vanished. As far as can be ascertained the number of casualties was negligible, the posts having been just mopped up – rather a new experience for the AIF."'' Australia in the War of 1939-1945. 4 volumes, Chapter 7: Midsummer in the Fortress, p. 251, Australian War Memorial, 1952-1968</ref>Among the objectives initially selected during the planning of [[Operation Brevity]] was the recapture of S8 and S9 strongpoints, but this was abandoned when it was discovered the Australians had recovered them.<ref>Tobruk 1941, The Desert Siege, Timothy Hall, p. 183, Methuen Australia, 1984</ref>

On 24 May 1941, the ''Brescia'' Division which had taken over the western front of Tobruk, repelled an attacking infantry force, supported by tanks.  

On May 24 1941, the ''Brescia'' Division which had taken over the western front of Tobruk, repelled an attacking infantry force, supported by tanks.  

On 2 August, another attack was launched to recover the lost strongpoints from the Italians, but the attacking forces from the Australian 2/43rd Battalion and 2/28th Battalions are repulsed.  

On August 2, another attack was launched to recover the lost strong-points from the Italians, but the attacking forces from the Australian 2nd/43rd Battalion and 2nd/28th Battalions are repulsed.  

This was the last Australian effort to recover the lost fortifications. As part of the besieging forces around Tobruk, the ''Brescia'' held out until December 10, 1941, far longer than the German 90th Light Division<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605133809/http://comandosupremo.com/bologna-division.html/5 The Bologna Division: 19 November – 10 December, 1941 By David Aldea & Joseph Peluso, Comando Supremo: Italy at War.]</ref> when the British 70th Division finally broke through the ''Brescia'' rearguards and lifted the siege of Tobruk during [[Operation Crusader]]. Advancing in broad daylight on 11 December, a battalion of the ''Brescia'' nearly overran a company of the 23rd New Zealand Battalion's 'C' Company holding Thomson's Ridge, but were forced to withdraw after the New Zealanders reinforced their position.<ref>''"Thomson's Ridge now came under concentrated fire and it was soon evident that a counter-attack was impending. C Company, though ably supported by Chestnut Troop, was very much on its own, but the men were quickly organised to meet the threat and gave the Italians a very hot reception. The enemy in obviously superior numbers came within 50–60 yards of the New Zealand positions, but there they halted, and after some hesitation they broke and ran, leaving many of their weapons behind and some vehicles."'' The Relief of Tobruk, W. E. Murphy, p. 492, War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, 1961</ref> On 15 December, the ''Brescia'' Division held its ground on the Gazala Line against the attacking 2nd New Zealand Division and Polish Brigade, allowing a strong Italo-German armoured force to counterattack and overrun the 1st British Battalion, ''The Buffs''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605133809/http://comandosupremo.com/bologna-division.html/5 The Bologna Division: 19 November – 10 December, 1941 By David Aldea & Joseph Peluso, Comando Supremo: Italy at War.]</ref>

This was the last Australian effort to recover the lost fortifications. As part of the besieging forces around Tobruk, the ''Brescia'' held out until December 10, 1941, far longer than the German 90th Light Division<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605133809/http://comandosupremo.com/bologna-division.html/5 The Bologna Division: 19 November – 10 December, 1941 By David Aldea & Joseph Peluso, Comando Supremo: Italy at War.]</ref> when the British 70th Division finally broke through the ''Brescia'' rearguards and lifted the siege of Tobruk during [[Operation Crusader]]. Advancing in broad daylight on December 11, a battalion of the ''Brescia'' nearly overran the 23rd New Zealand Battalion's 'C' Company holding Thomson's Ridge, but were forced to withdraw after the New Zealanders reinforced their position.<ref>''"Thomson's Ridge now came under concentrated fire and it was soon evident that a counter-attack was impending. C Company, though ably supported by Chestnut Troop, was very much on its own, but the men were quickly organised to meet the threat and gave the Italians a very hot reception. The enemy in obviously superior numbers came within 50–60 yards of the New Zealand positions, but there they halted, and after some hesitation they broke and ran, leaving many of their weapons behind and some vehicles."'' The Relief of Tobruk, W. E. Murphy, p. 492, War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, 1961</ref> On December 15, the ''Brescia'' Division held its ground on the Gazala Line against the attacking 2nd New Zealand Division and Polish Brigade, allowing a strong Italo-German armoured force to counterattack and overrun the 1st British Battalion, ''The Buffs''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110605133809/http://comandosupremo.com/bologna-division.html/5 The Bologna Division: 19 November – 10 December, 1941 By David Aldea & Joseph Peluso, Comando Supremo: Italy at War.]</ref>

==Battle of Gazala==

==Battle of Gazala==