Changes

On April 12 1941, the ''Brescia'' Division and the Germans attack the Tobruk defences, but the attack fails and Rommel is forced to call for reinforcements. On the night of April 30, a strong Italo-German force attacks the Tobruk defences again, and the ''Ariete'' and ''Brescia'' divisions along with elite Bersaglieri troops and Guastatori (combat engineers) involved capture seven strongpoints( R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> On the night of 3 May, the Australians counterattack but the Italians in the form of the '' Trento'', ''Pavia'' Divisions and some panzergrenadiers units repel the attack<ref>The Forgotten Axis: Germany's Partners and Foreign Volunteers in World War II, J. Lee Ready, p. 310, McFarland & Co., 1987</ref> and the attackers are only able to recapture one strongpoint from the defending Italian troops<ref>That magnificent 9th: An Illustrated History of The 9th Australian Division, Mark Johnston, p. 38,  Allen and Unwin, 2002</ref>During that week, it was reported that 30 Australian soldiers shot themselves in order to be evacuated.<ref>"In one five-day period in early May 1941, after the second major German assault on the  Red Line, medical units treated 30 cases of self-inflicted bullet wounds." A Medical Emergency: Major-General 'Ginger' Burston and the Army Medical Service in World War II, Ian Howie-Willis, p. 187, Big Sky Publishing, 2012</ref><ref>"More disturbing was the large number of self-inflicted wound (SIW) cases. During a single week in May the division reported thirty SIW cases..." Armies of Empire: The 9th Australian and 50th British Divisions in Battle 1939–1945, Allan Converse, p. 86, Cambridge University Press, 2011</ref>Australian morale took a dive and that month, an underground 'war neurosis clinic' was built in Tobruk and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair, and 207 Australian soldiers were admitted for treatment.<ref> "In May 1941 a 'war neurosis clinic' of 70 beds was established in an underground concrete shelter in the city. Of the 204 admissions treated by Lt Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair  61% were reported as serving with fighting units..." Shell Shock to PTSD: Military Psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War, Edgar Jones, Simon Wessely, p. 67, Psychology Press, 2005</ref>  

On April 12 1941, the ''Brescia'' Division and the Germans attack the Tobruk defences, but the attack fails and Rommel is forced to call for reinforcements. On the night of April 30, a strong Italo-German force attacks the Tobruk defences again, and the ''Ariete'' and ''Brescia'' divisions along with elite Bersaglieri troops and Guastatori (combat engineers) involved capture seven strongpoints( R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> On the night of 3 May, the Australians counterattack but the Italians in the form of the '' Trento'', ''Pavia'' Divisions and some panzergrenadiers units repel the attack<ref>The Forgotten Axis: Germany's Partners and Foreign Volunteers in World War II, J. Lee Ready, p. 310, McFarland & Co., 1987</ref> and the attackers are only able to recapture one strongpoint from the defending Italian troops<ref>That magnificent 9th: An Illustrated History of The 9th Australian Division, Mark Johnston, p. 38,  Allen and Unwin, 2002</ref>During that week, it was reported that 30 Australian soldiers shot themselves in order to be evacuated.<ref>"In one five-day period in early May 1941, after the second major German assault on the  Red Line, medical units treated 30 cases of self-inflicted bullet wounds." A Medical Emergency: Major-General 'Ginger' Burston and the Army Medical Service in World War II, Ian Howie-Willis, p. 187, Big Sky Publishing, 2012</ref><ref>"More disturbing was the large number of self-inflicted wound (SIW) cases. During a single week in May the division reported thirty SIW cases..." Armies of Empire: The 9th Australian and 50th British Divisions in Battle 1939–1945, Allan Converse, p. 86, Cambridge University Press, 2011</ref>Australian morale took a dive and that month, an underground 'war neurosis clinic' was built in Tobruk and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair, and 207 Australian soldiers were admitted for treatment.<ref> "In May 1941 a 'war neurosis clinic' of 70 beds was established in an underground concrete shelter in the city. Of the 204 admissions treated by Lt Colonel E.L. Cooper and Captain A.J.M Sinclair  61% were reported as serving with fighting units..." Shell Shock to PTSD: Military Psychiatry from 1900 to the Gulf War, Edgar Jones, Simon Wessely, p. 67, Psychology Press, 2005</ref>  

On the night of May 16, the ''Brescia'' Division retaliates with the help of two platoons of the 32nd Combat Engineer Battalion and breaches the defensive perimeter of the 2/9th and 2/10th Battalions. With the obstacles removed, the ''Brescia'' troops involved, who bring flame-thrower parties and tanks, capture S8, S9 and S10 strongpoints.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> The Australians fight back and the Commanding Officer of the Guastatori's, Colonel Emilio Caizzo is killed in a satchel attack and wins a posthumous Gold Medal for valour. Although the Australian Official History admits losing three positions, it claims the attackers were 'Germans'.<ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/07.pdf Maughan (1966), p.250]</ref> However, an Italian narrative has recorded:

On the night of May 16, the ''Brescia'' Division retaliates with the help of two platoons of the 32nd Combat Engineer Battalion and breaches the defensive perimeter of the 2/9th and 2/10th Battalions. With the obstacles removed, the ''Brescia'' troops involved, who bring flame-thrower parties and tanks, capture S8, S9 and S10 strongpoints.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090225212634/http://www.guastatori.it/1941-1945/xxxii_btg.htm XXXII BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI]</ref> The Australians fight back and the Commanding Officer of the Guastatori's, Colonel Emilio Caizzo is killed in a satchel attack and wins a posthumous Gold Medal for valour. Although the Australian Official History admits losing three positions, it claims the attackers were 'Germans'.<ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/19/chapters/07.pdf Maughan (1966), p.250]</ref> However, an Italian [[narrative]] has recorded:

''With great skill and speed the Guastatori open three lanes in the mines and obstacles to let the Brescia Fucilieri through. Side by side with the Brescia assault troops they inflict heavy loses on the enemy and take out further strong points with explosives and flamethrowers.''<ref>[http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1451 GUASTATORI IN NORTH AFRICA. The XXXI and XXXII Guastatori Battalions in the North African Campaign]</ref>

''With great skill and speed the Guastatori open three lanes in the mines and obstacles to let the Brescia Fucilieri through. Side by side with the Brescia assault troops they inflict heavy loses on the enemy and take out further strong points with explosives and flamethrowers.''<ref>[http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=1451 GUASTATORI IN NORTH AFRICA. The XXXI and XXXII Guastatori Battalions in the North African Campaign]</ref>