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==Battle of Tobruk==

==Battle of Tobruk==

Following the capture of Bardia, the 7th Armoured Division with an Australian brigade, the British Northumberland Fusiliers and the New Zealand Service Corps advanced to forward positions at Sidi Begassem outside Tobruk. 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, the British Northumberland Fusiliers and the New Zealand Service Corps advanced to forward positions at Sidi Begassem outside Tobruk. The Italian defences at Tobruk comprised General della Mura's 61st ''Sirte'' Division, backed up by 45 tankettes, 20 medium tanks and 208 field 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 35,000<ref>"Tobruk, which had been by-passed, was attacked on 21 January and surrendered next day with a further bag of 30,000 prisoners."  The Desert Air War 1939 – 1945, Richard Bickers, p.48, Pen and Sword, 1991</ref><ref>"Tobruk was attacked on 21 January and fell next day — yielding a bag of 30,000 prisoners."  The New Cambridge Modern History. Volume XII, p.761, 1960</ref><ref>"The 7th Armored drove westward to isolate Tobruk, which was attacked on 21 January and fell the next day with 30,000 prisoners."  An analytical history of World War II, Volume 1, Edward Norman Peterson, p.276, P. Lang, 1995</ref><ref>"Yet, on 21 January 1941, Tobruk had fallen to the aggressive 7th Australian Division, yielding 35, 000 prisoners, their equipment and their supplies." The Elite: The Special Forces of the World, John Pimlott, p. 1135, Marshall Cavendish, 1987</ref>

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 35,000<ref>"Tobruk, which had been by-passed, was attacked on 21 January and surrendered next day with a further bag of 30,000 prisoners."  The Desert Air War 1939 – 1945, Richard Bickers, p.48, Pen and Sword, 1991</ref><ref>"Tobruk was attacked on 21 January and fell next day — yielding a bag of 30,000 prisoners."  The New Cambridge Modern History. Volume XII, p.761, 1960</ref><ref>"The 7th Armored drove westward to isolate Tobruk, which was attacked on 21 January and fell the next day with 30,000 prisoners."  An analytical history of World War II, Volume 1, Edward Norman Peterson, p.276, P. Lang, 1995</ref><ref>"Yet, on 21 January 1941, Tobruk had fallen to the aggressive 7th Australian Division, yielding 35, 000 prisoners, their equipment and their supplies." The Elite: The Special Forces of the World, John Pimlott, p. 1135, Marshall Cavendish, 1987</ref>

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.

prisoners (depending on the source) along with 208 field guns, 87 tanks and 200 trucks. Some fierce fighting took place and an Australian infantry company was nearly overrun in an Italian counter-attack and the French attack initially defeated.

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 forward defences, the leading companies of the 2nd/1st Battalion started their advance. The 2/2nd Battalion made good progress, capturing 10 artillery batteries. In the meantime, a rifle company ran into booby-traps that killed or wounded several in a platoon. Another company captured 1,000 men, including a general. Major Abbot's company proceeded to clear several bunkered platoons, which it took after some determined resistance from the determined defenders manning Post 55, that forced one of his platoons to fall back. In the close-quarter fighting for Post 55, Sergeant Hoddinot had to use hand grenades to cover the withdrawal of his men, after the platoon commander (Lieutenant MacDonald) had been shot in the stomach and a section commander (Corporal Foster) killed and wounded five other men wounded.<ref>"Foster was killed and MacDonald wounded in the stomach but he (until he collapsed) and Hoddinott continued throwing grenades, until five more men in the platoon had been wounded by Italian fire. Hoddinott withdrew the twenty survivors." Australia in the war of 1939-1945, p. 222, Australian War Memorial, 1966</ref> For his courage and leadership in the action, Hoddinot won the [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] (D.C.M) and was later promoted to captain.

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 forward defences, the leading companies of the 2nd/1st Battalion started their advance. The 2nd/2nd Battalion (under Lieutenant-Colonel England) made good progress, capturing 10 artillery batteries. In the meantime, a rifle company ran into booby-traps that killed or wounded several in a platoon. Another company captured 1,000 men, including a general. Major Abbot's company proceeded to clear several bunkered platoons, which it took after some determined resistance from the determined defenders manning Post 55, that forced one of his platoons to fall back. In the close-quarter fighting for Post 55, Sergeant Hoddinot had to use hand grenades to cover the withdrawal of his men, after the platoon commander (Lieutenant MacDonald) had been shot in the stomach and a section commander (Corporal Foster) killed and wounded five other men wounded.<ref>"Foster was killed and MacDonald wounded in the stomach but he (until he collapsed) and Hoddinott continued throwing grenades, until five more men in the platoon had been wounded by Italian fire. Hoddinott withdrew the twenty survivors." Australia in the war of 1939-1945, p. 222, Australian War Memorial, 1966</ref> For his courage and leadership in the action, Hoddinot won the [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] (D.C.M) and was later promoted to captain.

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.

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 morale of the more determined units that were prepared to continue fighting.

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 morale of the more determined units that were prepared to continue fighting.

Next day, the capture of the remaining Italian strongpoints, from R1 to S11, was completed and assisted by 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 needed. That afternoon, General della Mura and the remaining defenders surrendered. The Italians had lost 15,000-30,000 killed, wounded or captured (depending on the source). The Australian losses were 49 dead and 306 wounded. Although, the 2nd/8th Battalion (according to the official war historian) captured 1,300 Italians, Lieutenant Stan Jacobs estimates the real number of prisoners his battalion marched off to captivity took to be around 3,000.<ref>"On arrival at Fort Capuzzo ... on the gate there was a British sentry. 'How many have you got'? he asked. 'About 3,500,' Jacobs replied. 'Oh hell,' exclaimed the sentry." An Unqualified Success, Peter Golding, Rosenberg Publising, 2013</ref>

Next day, the capture of the remaining Italian strongpoints, from R1 to S11, was completed and assisted by 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 needed. That afternoon, General della Mura and the remaining defenders surrendered. The Italians had lost 15,000-30,000 killed, wounded or captured (depending on the source) and 208 field guns, 87 tanks and 200 trucks. The Australian losses were 49 dead and 306 wounded. Although, the 2nd/8th Battalion (according to the official war historian) captured 1,300 Italians, Lieutenant Stan Jacobs estimates the real number of prisoners his battalion marched off to captivity took to be around 3,000.<ref>"On arrival at Fort Capuzzo ... on the gate there was a British sentry. 'How many have you got'? he asked. 'About 3,500,' Jacobs replied. 'Oh hell,' exclaimed the sentry." An Unqualified Success, Peter Golding, Rosenberg Publising, 2013</ref>

==Battle of Derna==

==Battle of Derna==