Australians at War
THE RATS OF TOBRUK
When did the battle take place-
In Northern Africa the battle started 11th of April 1941 a German Field Marshall named Erwin Rommel attacked the base with tanks and foor soliders
Why was the an important destination to take control of-
The middle of Northern Africa (Libya) was a important battleground in WWII because i would allow the Australians to attack Europe from accross the Mediterranean. The area also had oil supplies which would supply all their motorised transportation. Controlling oil supplies would often be a deciding factor of winning battles.
It also allowed ships to dock their because of its deep waters. This allowed the Britishes powerfull Navy to dominate the waters around the Area.
What countries where involved in the war-
There were about three major countries involved: Australia, Libyia, Poland, India, Germany and Britan. There was about 14 000 Australian troops and around 12 000 Indian and British.
What were the conditions and the enviroment like-
The food and water supplies were scarce as well as the base being bombed, raided and shot at constantly. It was hot dry and humid since it was in Nothern Africa.
Refernces--- http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/abroad-wwii/rats-tobruk
http://www.rats-of-tobruk.anzac-day.net/
http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories_ID=153_war=W2_next=yes.html
What was the food like-
The conditions were appalling and cook Corporal Stanley Gordon had to deal with it and try to keep up the food supply.
Food was always at a shorage but supplies were always on there way. Water supples were always shortened.
< Stanley Gordon- Life began to settle down to a fairly dull routine. Wake early, endure German air raids, cook meals for the troops.
What weapons were involved-
Many Weapons were involved such as a wide varity of tanks that both forces used. The Germans mainly used there Panzer tanks wich were had Anti-Tank Guns as well as the usual cannons.
Soldiers used The PIAT, Boys anti-tank rifle which were Anti-Tank weapons. Machine Guns that were commonly used by teh Austalians were the Lewis Gun, Bren light machine gun, Vickers machine gun. These were some of the common weapons that were used by the Australians in WWII. The Anti-Tank Weapons were used in Tobruk by the Australians to take out the Germans strong ground force Tanks.
A Brief Summery-
Tobruk was easy to defend against but the desert conditions were harsh and supplies were always running low.
A German Field Marshall named Erwin Rommel attacke the garrison with tanks and thousands of troops.
The Australian garrison had been relieved after an attack of more than 240 days. Rommel had left Tobruk surprised that the German forces had been defeated. His fast moving Panzer tanks and forces had been beaten on familiar ground.
Why were they called the Rats of Tobruk
They were mocked being called 'Stuck like rats in a trap'. The Australians tended to counter-attack. They dug extensive tunnels which they kept equipment, supplies in. The Germans mocked them 'Rats hiding in there holes'. This is how they took on the name the Rats of Tobruk
