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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. 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 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

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>

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.

 

Meanwhile, the 2nd/4th and 2nd/11th Battalions made good progress, capturing Tobruk airfield, Fort Solaro and 600 Italians. The Australians were met by a hail of fire on several occasions. Lieutenant Trevorrow and Sergeant Duncan from the  2nd/28th Battalion were seriously wounded, and two of the platoon commanders had bullet holes in their clothing. 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.

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.

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.