Who won in the Battle of Tobruk?
British
On June 21, 1942, General Erwin Rommel turns his assault on the British-Allied garrison at Tobruk, Libya, into victory, as his panzer division occupies the North African port. Britain had established control of Tobruk after routing the Italians in 1940.
Why was the Battle of Tobruk so important?
It was vital for the Allies’ defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal to hold the town with its harbour, as this forced the enemy to bring most of their supplies overland from the port of Tripoli, across 1500 km of desert, as well as diverting troops from their advance.
What was the outcome of Tobruk and why was it significant?
The siege ended in November 1941, when a counter-attack by British troops re-took the territory. Tobruk was a great boost to the morale of the Allied forces: the seemingly invincible Germans had finally been turned back.
When did Tobruk fall to the Germans?
21 June 1942
The Axis capture of Tobruk, also known as the Fall of Tobruk and the Second Battle of Tobruk (17–21 June 1942) was part of the Western Desert campaign in Libya during the Second World War.
…
Axis capture of Tobruk.
| Date | 17–21 June 1942 |
|---|---|
| Result | German–Italian victory |
How many Australian soldiers died in Tobruk?
Casualties
| Forces | Killed | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Australian | 744 | 3,194 |
| British | 88 | 509 |
| Indian | 1 | 26 |
| Polish | 22 | 107 |
Why were Australian soldiers called the Rats of Tobruk?
Nevertheless, morale remained high – the Australians adopting the ironic nickname ‘The Rats of Tobruk’, in response to reports that Nazi radio propagandist ‘Lord Haw Haw’ had described them as being caught ‘like rats in a trap’ in one of his broadcasts.
How many Rats of Tobruk are still alive?
There are only a small number of surviving Australian Rats of Tobruk. To the best of our knowledge there were 17 Australian ‘Rats’ still enjoying life as at the end of 2020, most of whom have reached their centenary year.
Why are the Rats of Tobruk famous?
The defenders of Tobruk did not surrender, they did not retreat. Their determination, bravery, and humour, combined with the aggressive tactics of their commanders, became a source of inspiration during some of the war’s darkest days. In so doing, they achieved lasting fame as the “Rats of Tobruk”.