Evening star., 1942-06-19
British Lash
Al Axis Flank
ToDivert Foe
Newly Strengthened
libyon Garrison
Prepared for Stund
By the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
CAIRO, Egypt, June 19.-Axis
forces have occupied the Libyan
coastal area between Tobruk and
Bardia, thus surrounding Tobruk
by land, 1t was acknowledged to-
day, but British desert fighters
laShed out from their Egyptian
b6rder positions to haraSS the
enemy's right, or landward, flank
and reduce pressure on the be-
Sieged fortress.
The Tobruk Garrison was pre-
pared for a long stand. 1t has been
newly supplied, its barbed wire re-
inforced, minefields newly laid and
pillboxeS strengthened.
The Germans were busy moving
up great 210-millimeter guns 1926
inches in diameter)-the largest
mobile weapons ever used in the
desert-to bring them to bear on
Tobruk's concentric defensive
system.
Qn Berlin the German high
command communique said Ger
man and Italian troops have
completed the endorsement of
Tobruk and forced the main Brit
ish defenses back on the Egyptian
border)
British Knife Behind Foe.
In an attempt to impede these
operations, British communique
disclosed, swift mechanized units Of
1t. Gen. Neil NJ. Ritchies 8th
Army swept out from the new bor-
der defense line and knitted in
behind Marshal Rommels forces in
a swift surprise attack from the
south.
The communique indicated that
the Tobruk defenders were holding
strong positions and the post ap-
peared in no immediate danger.
Re-establishment of the imperial
forces followed Withdrawals, an
nounced yesterday, from the desert
towns of El Adem and Sidi Rezegh.
south and southeast of Tobruk, the
Mediterranean port which the Brit
ish have held almost II months
through offensive and counter
offensive.
Our mobile forces, operating
from the south, are confining enemy
columns to the coastal belt" the
communique said.
Axis Spearheads Striking.
A British column in these rowing
operations was reported to have
shelled enemy troops on the Ell
Adem airdrome
Our troops in the Tobruk area
yesterday destroyed three enemy
tanks and damaged four Others"
the communique said, indicating
that Marshal Rommel's speadheads
already were striking in force at
the ports outer lines.
The thunder of heavy gunfre
already rumbled ominously along
the perimeter of Tobruks outer for
tifications as its British defenders
made ready for an attempt to du-
plicate the famous stand they made
last year, when they held out for
eight months against encircling
German-Italian forces.
Ports Guns Join Fight.
At intervals the big guns of the
port itself added their sullen voices
to the mounting tumult, sending
shells screaming across the high
escarpment at hidden Axis armored
columns maneuvering over the sand.
1t appeared certain that Marshal
Rommel would try to seize Tobruk
and remove that threat to his left
flank before trying to push further
eastward
Observers believed that so much
of the German leaders striking
power had been spent in the past 26
days of continuous desert fighting
that he was in no position to press
general offensive at the present
time.
Tobruk Vital to Axis.
The best he can hope for at the
moment is to capture Tobruk with
the idea of using it as a base from
which to launch an autumn drive
with fresh men and equipment
ferried across the Mediterranean,
these quarters maintain.
Possession of Tobruk, which boasts
one of the best harbors on the
North African coast, is vital to an
Axis attempt to invade Egypt, for
without it supplies and reinforce
ments must be moved overland from
Tripoli, 300 miles to the west.
Tobruk has been in British hands
since January %, 1941, when $4,000
Italians surrendered there.