military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (01/22/91)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Wednesday, 22 January, 1941 Under continued British and Australian pressure, the remaining Italian garrison at Tobruk surrenders. Some 25,000 POW's are taken, together with 47 tanks; Commonwealth losses are fewer than 400. Before surrendering, the Italians succeed in demolishing the cruise San Giorgio, but are unable to seriously damage the port facilities. Meanwhile, the 7th Armored division continues to advance unchecked; by nightfall, it closes to within 20 miles of Derna. Units of the 4th Australian division also gain ground, reaching Mechili. The German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst leave Kiel to take part in Operation Berlin, a raiding mission against Atlantic convoys. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Establishment of a new world order, the goal of the powerful triple pact, if only given time, will surely be accomplished." - Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka