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==Battle of Tobruk==

==Battle of Tobruk==

Following the capture of Bardia, the 7th Armoured Division with an Australian brigade advanced to take Tobruk which had been enduring a siege since 9 January. The Italian defences at Tobruk comprised General della Mura's 61st Sirte Division, backed up by 45 tankettes, 20 medium tanks and 200 other guns. In overall command was General Petassi Manella, commander of the XX Corps. The attacking Allied infantry force comprised the 16th, 17th and 19th Brigades of the Australian 6th Division under Major-General Iven MacKay. The Free French Forces in the form of their Marines would also support the Australian attack. The RAF Blenheim bombers from Nos. 55 and 113 Squadron along with the Mediterranean Fleet in the form of HMS ''Ladybird'', HMS ''Terror'', HMS ''Aphis'' and HMAS ''Stuart'' and HMAS ''Vampire'', would play an important role in softening up the Tobruk defences.

Following the capture of Bardia, the 7th Armoured Division with an Australian brigade advanced to take Tobruk which had been enduring a siege since 9 January. The Italian defences at Tobruk comprised General della Mura's 61st ''Sirte'' Division, backed up by 45 tankettes, 20 medium tanks and 200 other guns. In overall command was General Petassi Manella, commander of the XX Corps. The attacking Allied infantry force comprised the 16th, 17th and 19th Brigades of the Australian 6th Division under Major-General Iven MacKay. The Free French Forces in the form of their Marines would also support the Australian attack. The RAF Blenheim bombers from Nos. 55 and 113 Squadron along with the Mediterranean Fleet in the form of HMS ''Ladybird'', HMS ''Terror'', HMS ''Aphis'' and HMAS ''Stuart'' and HMAS ''Vampire'', would play an important role in softening up the Tobruk defences.

After nearly a fortnight of preparations, General O'Connor attacked on 21 January and Tobruk was captured on 22 January, yielding around 15,000 or 30,000 prisoners (depending on the source) along with 200 field and medium guns, 23 medium tanks and more than 200 other vehicles. Some fierce fighting took place and an Australian infantry company was nearly overrun in an Italian counter-attack and the French attack initially defeated.

After nearly a fortnight of preparations, General O'Connor attacked on 21 January and Tobruk was captured on 22 January, yielding around 15,000 or 30,000 prisoners (depending on the source) along with 200 field and medium guns, 23 medium tanks and more than 200 other vehicles. Some fierce fighting took place and an Australian infantry company was nearly overrun in an Italian counter-attack and the French attack initially defeated.

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 61st 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. Despite encountering some stiff opposition from the Italian tankers and machine-gunners, the 2nd/8th Battalion took 1,300 prisoners.

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. Despite encountering some stiff opposition from the Italian tankers and machine-gunners, the 2nd/8th Battalion took 1,300 prisoners.

At around 14:00 hours, the Italians mounted a determined battalion-sized infantry-armour counterattack and Campbell's company had no option to withdraw, losing many killed, wounded or captured, before help arrived in the form of British anti-tank guns and tanks. At this point help arrived in the form of two British Matilda 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>Meanwhile, other Australian rifle companies made good progress, using grenade, Bren, rifle and bayonet. They were met by a hail of fire on several occasions. Lieutenant Trevorrow and Sergeant Duncan were seriously wounded, and two of the platoon commanders had bullet holes in their clothing or equipment in the close-quarter fighting. At one point, Captain McDonald had to request the help of

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>Meanwhile, other Australian rifle companies made good progress, using grenade, Bren, rifle and bayonet. They were met by a hail of fire on several occasions. Lieutenant Trevorrow and Sergeant Duncan were seriously wounded, and two of the platoon commanders had bullet holes in their clothing or equipment in the close-quarter fighting. At one point, Captain McDonald had to request the help of

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.