The 'A lighters' referred to in the report were in fact Tank Landing Craft. In 1941 the references were amended 'for security purposes'. TLCs became A lighters ALCs - B lighters SLCs - C lighters MLCs - D lighters. I have somewhere some tables detailing the number of voyages the A lighters made to Tobruk, cargoes carried and losses. The TLCs had a top speed of about 10 knots and had only light AA armament. The 'spud run' to Tobruk occupied them for a considerable time and they ran the gauntlet of enemy submarines, artillery and gunboats as well as aircraft. These vessels are the subject of the book in my signature.
Fascinating information. I might dispute the contention that pilfering was 'negligible,' though. At this stage in its history, 9 Australian Div Provost Coy was not yet a highly efficient unit (the coy commander was court-martialed for running a gambling ring) and many sources testify to the frequency and extent of pilfering during the siege.
Spidge: For a long time there was a strong tendency in Australian popular history and even Australian military historiography to treat subjects like pilfering humorously. But it wasn't really very funny, certainly not in a critical situation like Tobruk. Because of pilfering, some individuals and units received more than their fair share of vital supplies while others got little or nothing. This caused a great deal of waste and sometimes affected combat efficiency. The last few functioning Hurricanes in Tobruk had to be grounded as unairworthy because pilferers made off with vital parts. Thanks to pilfering, equipment for making booby traps and several types of ammunition disappeared before they could be properly distributed to all units. The sick rate in Tobruk was very high, and maldistribution of fruit, vegetables, vitamin c-tablets, and vegemite caused by pilfering no doubt played a part in the sharp deterioration of 9th Australian Division's health.That is not funny.
