0
What were the experiences of the Australian 'Rats of Tobruk' fighting in North Africa in World War 2?
Wiki User
∙ 18y ago
they experienced new terrain in papua and new ginea. they were demoralised by watching their frinds get killed and they were sadened. they also experienced wet weather constantly, long days, hot days and cold nights, they were scared and often dehydrated. many aussies were left with psycalogical problems after the ww2.
Wiki User
∙ 18y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What was Australia's involvement in Tobruk in World War 2?
Tobruk changed hands many times in WW2. It is notable that both at Tobruk & Singapore many POWs were Australian. The soldiery of the Anzacs in WW2 was as before in WW1, of the highest order, their presence in the North Africa campaign vitally important. Thereafter they went to the pacific theatre to defend against Japan.
Who were involved in the battle of tobruk?
Because it showed that the blitzkrieg of the Germans could be halted, it was the first time the blitzkrieg was brought to a halt. The Australian victory greatly improved morale. It also showed that Rommel could be defeated.
What was the outcome of the fighting at Tobruk?
German and Italian forces led by General Rommel besieged Tobruk for 242 days without taking the city until they were finally driven off in 1941. Rommel came back unexpectedly in 1942 and captured Tobruk in a single day. The anti-tank ditch had been allowed to fill in, and the Australians who had earlier defended Tobruk had been sent to the Pacific to fight the Japanese; leaving Tobruk defended by inexperienced Indian and South African troops. It was a limited victory for the Axis as most of their supply convoys in the Med preferred the safer route to Triboli or Benghazi. Nevertheless, Tobruk remained in Axis hands until the British victory at Second El Alamein forced them to abandon the city.
Who was involved in the Siege of Tobruk?
British forces based on four Australian brigades with British army support; and German-Italian force.
Where did the Rats of Tobruk fight?
They were dubbed the Rats of Tobruk, encouraged by the enemy to come out of their holes waving white flags of surrender. But for 242 days, between April and December 1941, thousands of Australian soldiers refused to concede the Libyan Port of Tobruk. (From the ABC website)Answer">AnswerThe Rats of Tobruk was the name given to the Australian soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Africa Corps, during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. The siege starts on 10 April 1941 and was finally relieved at the end of November.The origins of the name likely came from The Nazi German radio, German Calling when they referred to the soldiers as "poor desert rats of Tobruk." This was mostly due to two factors:1. The Australian tendered to counterattack to gather equipment as soon as the enemy was routed;2. The defenders dug extensive tunnel networks and shelters to supplement their trenches - and weren't afraid to use them when bombarded.The Australians gave themselves the nickname 'the Rats of Tobruk' after Radio Berlin described the Australians as 'caught like rats in a trap'.The old warships that helped the Rats of Tobruk with supplies and evacuation of the wounded were insulted by Radio Berlin, being called a 'pile of scrap iron'. The Australians therefore called them 'The Scrap Iron Flotilla'.In typically Australian dry wit, Australians reclaimed the name as a badge of pride, even going so far as to strike their own unofficial medal bearing the likeness of a rat. The metal used to make the medals came from a German bomber the Rats had shot down with captured German guns.The conviction of the 'Diggers' even won them the respect of the Nazis. Major Ballerstedt, C.O. 2nd Battalion, 115th Motorized Infantry Regiment, wrote to his superiors:"The Australian, who are the men our troops have had opposite them so far, are extraordinarily tough fighters. The German is more active in the attack, but the enemy stakes his life in the defence and fights to the last with extreme cunning."The thoughts were echoed by a captured German officer struggling to explain how he found himself a prisoner of war:"I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France and Belgium once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry keeps fighting."The fighting style of the Australians made it very difficult for co-ordinated attacks by the Germans to integrate effectively. The Australians just weren't behaving as expected, and they took little time in noticing how this was confusing their enemy. (From convictcreations and wikipedia)
What were experiences of some of Australian soldiers in Tobruk?
Read the book Tobruk 1941 published by Penguin Books.
Who was fighting at Tobruk?
A German-Italian force versus an Australian-British garrison.
What does a desert rat tattoo mean?
Possibly "The year of the Rat" from the Chinese calendar.
What was Australia's involvement in Tobruk in World War 2?
Tobruk changed hands many times in WW2. It is notable that both at Tobruk & Singapore many POWs were Australian. The soldiery of the Anzacs in WW2 was as before in WW1, of the highest order, their presence in the North Africa campaign vitally important. Thereafter they went to the pacific theatre to defend against Japan.
What is the battle of Tobruk?
The battle of Tobruk, located on the north coast of Africa, was a battle in world war 2 in which a contingent of Australian and British soldiers held out against a superior force led by Erwin Rommel, a great German general. Lasting over 200 days, it was the longest siege in British Empire history. The port of Tobruk was strategically very important because it allowed whoever controlled it to supply their troops much easier. If Germany had of held it, it would have opened the door for them into North Africa.
Who were involved in the battle of tobruk?
Because it showed that the blitzkrieg of the Germans could be halted, it was the first time the blitzkrieg was brought to a halt. The Australian victory greatly improved morale. It also showed that Rommel could be defeated.
What was the role of the rats of tobruk?
The Rats of Tobruk was the name given to the Australian soldiers defending the port of Tobruk, in Libya. The soldiers dug extensive trenches and tunnels for defensive and offensive movement, leading to their nickname. They fought off a siege of the Afrika Corps for almost 8 full months.
What was the outcome of the fighting at Tobruk?
German and Italian forces led by General Rommel besieged Tobruk for 242 days without taking the city until they were finally driven off in 1941. Rommel came back unexpectedly in 1942 and captured Tobruk in a single day. The anti-tank ditch had been allowed to fill in, and the Australians who had earlier defended Tobruk had been sent to the Pacific to fight the Japanese; leaving Tobruk defended by inexperienced Indian and South African troops. It was a limited victory for the Axis as most of their supply convoys in the Med preferred the safer route to Triboli or Benghazi. Nevertheless, Tobruk remained in Axis hands until the British victory at Second El Alamein forced them to abandon the city.
Why were thy called rats of tobruk?
Becasue during German propaganda radio broadcasts 'Lord Haw Haw' as called by Allied troops, would refer to the Tobruk garrison as "poor desert rats of Tobruk", mocking them and saying that they were caught like rats in a trap, and that they could not get out. When he was saying this he was specificaly refering to the Australian troops, the 9th Division and 18th Brigade. They then adopted this and became known as the 'Rats of Tobruk'.
What are two battle fought in Africa during World War 2?
El Alamein and Tobruk. Google them.
What happed in the siege of Tobruk?
The largely Australian force held the town for eight months against a German-Italian beseiging force.
Who was involved in the Siege of Tobruk?
British forces based on four Australian brigades with British army support; and German-Italian force.
