Changes

After nearly a fortnight of  building-up strength around Tobruk, 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 a French infantry attack initially beaten off.

After nearly a fortnight of  building-up strength around Tobruk, 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 a French infantry attack initially beaten off.

The assault went in under the cover of darkness on the morning of 21 January. Once it appeared that the 2/3rd Battalion had penetrated the Italian forward defences, the leading companies of the 2nd/1st Battalion started their advance. However, one of the Australian companies soon ran into booby-traps that killed or wounded several in a platoon. Major Abbot's company was given the task of clearing several bunkered platoon, which it took after some fierce fighting, having initially been held up by the defenders manning Post 55. Sergeant Hoddinot had to crawl forward and use hand grenades to overcome the bunkered platoon.

The assault went in under the cover of darkness on the morning of 21 January. Once it appeared that the 2nd/3rd Battalion had penetrated the Italian forward defences, the leading companies of the 2nd/1st Battalion started their advance. However, one of the Australian companies soon ran into booby-traps that killed or wounded several in a platoon. Major Abbot's company was given the task of clearing several bunkered platoon, which it took after some fierce fighting, having initially been held up by the defenders manning Post 55. Sergeant Hoddinot had to crawl forward and use hand grenades to overcome the bunkered platoon that had wounded his platoon commander (Lieutenant MacDonald and a section commander (Corporal Foster) in his platoon. For his courage and leadership in the action, Hoddinot won the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M) and was later promoted to captain.

==Battle of Derna==

==Battle of Derna==