It was therefore necessary to divert as many Naval ships as possible to the Far East.
This left the Mediterranean Fleet depleated of ships and unable to effectively carry out its responsibility.
Because of this a convoy of ships was able to reach Tripoli carrying considerable numbers of the latest design of German tanks,
anti-tank guns etc. as well as replacement troops. On the 21st January,1942 Rommel attacked and was eventually held at a line
starting at Gazala to the west of Tobruk and extending southward to a place called Bir Hacheim. There was then a stalemate of
several months whilst both Commanders built up their Armies and Supply dumps.
During this time therefore the A Lighters and other ships of the Inshore Squadron were busily engaged ensuring, that despite
the bombing etc.of Tobruk harbour, the Army requirement was met. Auchinleck was planning to launch his attack early in June
but Rommel beat him to it round the southern flank and planned to advance to the sea thereby cutting off supplies to the
Army enclosed in the defensive line. He did not achieve his immediate objective but eventually broke through in the
direction of the Egyptian border and had the British and Commonwealth Army falling back in some disarray until they
held a defensive line at El Alamein
This time there was not the capability to hold Tobruk and many of the supply ships were able to leave the harbour before
it was surrendered. The vessels and craft which were left to take off the demolition crews etc. however were taken by surprise
and found tanks and guns all around the harbour firing at them at point blank range.
Content Page 9