When did the battle take place?
The battle of Tobruk started on the 10th of April 1941 and concluded in November the same year.
Why was this an important destination?
Tobruk was an important destination because Tobruk was one of only two significant ports on the North African coast between Tripoli and Alexandria. It was significant because the allied forces would have a base that they could attack Europe from. Oil was important for them so they could fuel their planes, tanks and other motorized transport. Tobruk had major oil fields so whoever controlled them would be more prepared as they could refuel their vehicles without travelling very far.
Which countries were involved?
There were two forces in the battle of Tobruk. They were the allied forces and the axis forces. The countries that were in the allied forces were the Australian’s, the United Kingdom, India, Poland and Czechoslovakia. The countries that were fighting for the axis forces were Nazi Germany and Italy.
What weapons were involved?
The weapons that were used in the siege of Tobruk were tanks, grenades, anti-tank guns, rifles, machine guns, sub-machine guns, mortars and handguns.
What were the conditions/environment like?
Tobruk is in the north African desert so the conditions and environment in the siege of Tobruk were unforgiving and deadly. It was extremely hot and dry almost every day and quite regularly there would be a “Hamsin” which was a hot sandy storm that was dangerous and unpleasant. There were lots of desert fleas and flies which made life miserable. What made the conditions even worse was the lack of drinkable water available and the fact that the soldiers only got a ration of water at night.
What was the food like?
Food was scarce in the siege of Tobruk so it had to be rationed. Their main diet bully beef, M and V, (meat and vegetable) soup and some fresh bread from the Tobruk field bakery. There was a lack of vitamins so the soldiers had to take salt tablets and Vitamin C.
Why were they called the ‘Rats of Tobruk?’
The reason the Australian’s were called the ‘Rats of Tobruk’ was because William Joyce or Lord Haw-Haw as the allied troops called him said on German radio broadcasts that the Tobruk garrison were like poor desert rats that were caught in rat traps that they couldn’t get out of. He was especially referring to the Australian 9th Division and 18th Brigade who then adopted this and became known as the ‘Rats of Tobruk.’
Write a brief summary of what happened.
The battle of Tobruk started on the 10th of April 1941 and concluded in November the same year.
Why was this an important destination?
Tobruk was an important destination because Tobruk was one of only two significant ports on the North African coast between Tripoli and Alexandria. It was significant because the allied forces would have a base that they could attack Europe from. Oil was important for them so they could fuel their planes, tanks and other motorized transport. Tobruk had major oil fields so whoever controlled them would be more prepared as they could refuel their vehicles without travelling very far.
Which countries were involved?
There were two forces in the battle of Tobruk. They were the allied forces and the axis forces. The countries that were in the allied forces were the Australian’s, the United Kingdom, India, Poland and Czechoslovakia. The countries that were fighting for the axis forces were Nazi Germany and Italy.
What weapons were involved?
The weapons that were used in the siege of Tobruk were tanks, grenades, anti-tank guns, rifles, machine guns, sub-machine guns, mortars and handguns.
What were the conditions/environment like?
Tobruk is in the north African desert so the conditions and environment in the siege of Tobruk were unforgiving and deadly. It was extremely hot and dry almost every day and quite regularly there would be a “Hamsin” which was a hot sandy storm that was dangerous and unpleasant. There were lots of desert fleas and flies which made life miserable. What made the conditions even worse was the lack of drinkable water available and the fact that the soldiers only got a ration of water at night.
What was the food like?
Food was scarce in the siege of Tobruk so it had to be rationed. Their main diet bully beef, M and V, (meat and vegetable) soup and some fresh bread from the Tobruk field bakery. There was a lack of vitamins so the soldiers had to take salt tablets and Vitamin C.
Why were they called the ‘Rats of Tobruk?’
The reason the Australian’s were called the ‘Rats of Tobruk’ was because William Joyce or Lord Haw-Haw as the allied troops called him said on German radio broadcasts that the Tobruk garrison were like poor desert rats that were caught in rat traps that they couldn’t get out of. He was especially referring to the Australian 9th Division and 18th Brigade who then adopted this and became known as the ‘Rats of Tobruk.’
Write a brief summary of what happened.