The Axis assault breaks into Tobruk’s perimeter
An air and artillery attack opened the battle on 20 June. German and Italian infantry, engineers and armour attacked the south-eastern sector, broke through and rapidly exploited the opening. Several units defending the perimeter continued fighting, but the penetration threatened internal roads and command positions. By evening Axis troops had entered Tobruk and reached important installations. The defenders' chance of reorganising a coherent line had narrowed, and the town was increasingly separated from Eighth Army forces retreating east.
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