Where did the Rats of Tobruk fight?

Answer 1

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">Answer

The 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)

Answer 2

North Africa: Benghazi Handicap, 2nd Battle of Tobruk or Seige of Tobruk, 1st El Alamein, 2nd El Alamein (Operation Lightfoot) Papua: Lae (Operation Cartwheel and Operation Postern), Huon Peninsula Campaign Borneo: Tarakn, Brunei and Labuan (Operation Oboe Six)

Answer 3

The garrison during the siege by German-Italian forces - consisting of the 9th Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), the 18th Brigade of the 7th Division, plus four regiments of British artillery, logistics units, and some Indian troops.

Answer 4

they attacked in Africa in the top bit

Answerthey attacked in Africa in the top bit

Answer 5

Because the renegade Lord Haw Haw of the Nazi Propaganda said the Australians were rats hiding in their holes and the Australians said they were rats with very sharp teeth.

Answer 6

At the port town of Tobruk in North Africa.

Answer 7

Tobruk is in Africa.