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two British tanks to silence another stubborn platoon defending Post 42. After some fierce close-quarter combat the Italians gave up Post 41. As Captain Abbot's company also came under effective fire from the Italian platoons dug in in and around Posts 34 and 35, and was forced to withdraw.

two British tanks to silence another stubborn platoon defending Post 42. After some fierce close-quarter combat the Italians gave up Post 41. As Captain Abbot's company also came under effective fire from the Italian platoons dug in in and around Posts 34 and 35, and was forced to withdraw.

During the night, the 19th Brigade commander attempted to negotiate a ceasefire with the commander of the Italian garrison in Tobruk. It was hoped they would succeed, but a cable from the Italian Supreme Command put paid to their efforts. Mussolini himself had himself personally signaled to General Petassi Manella, forbidding him to surrender and informing him that formations of Italian bombers were on their way as reinforcements. Later that night Italian SM.79s carried out a surprise low-level attack, but bombed some 8,000 prisoners who had been gathered inside a fenced enclosure, killing and wounding hundreds of their men. This bombing helped break the will of among those determined to fight it out in the town.

During the night, the 19th Brigade headquarters attempted to negotiate a ceasefire with the commander of the Italian garrison in Tobruk. It was hoped they would succeed, but a cable from the Italian Supreme Command put paid to their efforts. Mussolini himself had ordered that General Petassi Manella continue fighting, informing him that formations of Italian bombers were on their way to help the defenders. Later that night Italian SM.79s carried out a surprise low-level attack, but bombed some 8,000 prisoners who had been gathered inside a fenced enclosure, killing and wounding hundreds of their own men. This friendly-fire incident helped break the will of the commanders determined to continue the fight.

Next day, the capture of the remaining Italian strongpoints, from R1 to S11, was completed and assisted strongly by supporting tanks from the Support Group. The 2nd Rifle Brigade and 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps had also arrived as reinforcements that morning. Meanwhile, the 7th Armoured Division which had also entered the perimeter from the Derna road that morning stood by ready to advance into the Tobruk if required. That afternoon, General della Mura and the remaining defenders surrendered. The Italians had lost 15,000 killed-30,000 killed, wounded or captured. The Australian losses were 49 dead and 306 wounded.

Next day, the capture of the remaining Italian strongpoints, from R1 to S11, was completed and assisted strongly by supporting tanks from the Support Group. The 2nd Rifle Brigade and 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps had also arrived as reinforcements that morning. Meanwhile, the 7th Armoured Division which had also entered the perimeter from the Derna road that morning stood by ready to advance into the Tobruk if required. That afternoon, General della Mura and the remaining defenders surrendered. The Italians had lost 15,000 killed-30,000 killed, wounded or captured. The Australian losses were 49 dead and 306 wounded.