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An Italian platoon also fought well in defence of Post 62, despite British tank and artillery fire. Lieutenant Clark had to pour a mixture of crude oil and kerosene into the bunker in order to silence the defenders.<ref>"Post 62 fought back under tank and artillery shelling until Lt. F.D. Clark of Adelaide poured a mixture of crude oil and kerosene through the post’s windows to silence it. 11 Italians died and 35 surrendered." [http://www.avalanchepress.com/Graziani4.php Western Desert Force]</ref> Eleven Italians were killed and the remaining 35 surrendered.

An Italian platoon also fought well in defence of Post 62, despite British tank and artillery fire. Lieutenant Clark had to pour a mixture of crude oil and kerosene into the bunker in order to silence the defenders.<ref>"Post 62 fought back under tank and artillery shelling until Lt. F.D. Clark of Adelaide poured a mixture of crude oil and kerosene through the post’s windows to silence it. 11 Italians died and 35 surrendered." [http://www.avalanchepress.com/Graziani4.php Western Desert Force]</ref> Eleven Italians were killed and the remaining 35 surrendered.

By mid-day, the 2nd/28th Battalion from the 19th Brigade was moving on Fort Pilastrino, the ''Sirte'' Division’s headquarters. The battalion came under fire from dug-in Italian tanks, wounding Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Russell. The Australians attacked with bayonets and grenades, destroying one tank and forcing the remaining tank crews to surrender. The 2nd/8th Battalion took 1,300 prisoners but suffered heavy casualties in the attack.<ref>"Even so, the Italians put up a dogged resistance that cost the attackers an unprecedented number of casualties and one company was down to only twenty-one men when the complex was finally cleared around midday on 21 January."  Tobruk: The Great Siege, 1941-42, William F Buckingham, The History Press, 2012</ref> At dusk, the 2nd/4th Battalion reached Fort Pilastrino, having to brave anti-aircraft and tank fire from the airfield.

By mid-day, the 2nd/28th Battalion from the 19th Brigade was moving on Fort Pilastrino, the ''Sirte'' Division's headquarters. The battalion came under fire from dug-in Italian tanks, wounding Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Russell. The Australians attacked with bayonets and grenades, destroying one tank and forcing the remaining tank crews to surrender. The 2nd/8th Battalion took 1,300 prisoners but suffered heavy casualties in the attack.<ref>"Even so, the Italians put up a dogged resistance that cost the attackers an unprecedented number of casualties and one company was down to only twenty-one men when the complex was finally cleared around midday on 21 January."  Tobruk: The Great Siege, 1941-42, William F Buckingham, The History Press, 2012</ref> At dusk, the 2nd/4th Battalion reached Fort Pilastrino, having to brave anti-aircraft and tank fire from the airfield.

At around 14:00 hours, the Italians mounted a battalion-sized infantry counterattack with the help of a squadron of tanks, forcing Campbell's company to withdraw, losing many killed, wounded or captured, before help arrived in the form of British anti-tank guns and tanks.<ref>"The advance was resumed at 14:00 and once again the 2/8th Battalion bore the brunt of the action, almost immediately running into an Italian counter-attack involving  several hundred infantry supported by a dozen M13/40 tanks, seven of which got in amongst the Batalion's left hand company and overran its leading platoon ... The situation was saved by two Australian sergeants manhandling a captured Italian anti-tank gun into action and the arrival of two 2-ponder Portees from the 3rd RHA." (Tobruk: The Great Siege, 1941-42, William F Buckingham, The History Press, 2012)</ref>

At around 14:00 hours, the Italians mounted a battalion-sized infantry counterattack with the help of a squadron of tanks, forcing Campbell's company to withdraw, losing many killed, wounded or captured, before help arrived in the form of British anti-tank guns and tanks.<ref>"The advance was resumed at 14:00 and once again the 2/8th Battalion bore the brunt of the action, almost immediately running into an Italian counter-attack involving  several hundred infantry supported by a dozen M13/40 tanks, seven of which got in amongst the Batalion's left hand company and overran its leading platoon ... The situation was saved by two Australian sergeants manhandling a captured Italian anti-tank gun into action and the arrival of two 2-ponder Portees from the 3rd RHA." (Tobruk: The Great Siege, 1941-42, William F Buckingham, The History Press, 2012)</ref>