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Siege of TobrukPrint Page 
The plaques commemorate those who served in the Siege of Tobruk during World War Two.
The Siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 242 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of World War Two. The siege started on 10 April 1941, when Tobruk was attacked by an Italo–German force under Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel.
Australians provided the mainstay of the Tobruk defence force until August, when they were withdrawn and replaced by the British 70th Division, with the attached Polish Carpathian Brigade. British forces lifted the siege on 10 December 1941 during Operation 'Crusader', when 1st Army Tank Brigade linked up with a 'break out' force from Tobruk - the 32nd Army Tank Brigade - at Ed Duda, to the south-east of the town.
The “Rats of Tobruk” was the name given to the soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps during the Siege.
The garrison, commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, consisted of the 9th Australian Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), the 18th Brigade of the 7th Australian Division, four regiments of British artillery and some Indian troops
Location
| Address: | Paterson Street, Kings Park, Launceston, 7250 |
|---|---|
| State: | TAS |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -41.440322 Long: 147.130401 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 10-April-1941 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 10-December-1941 |
Dedication
Plaque :
In memory of all who served in the Siege of Tobruk
April 1941 - December 1941
Plaque :
Ode to Tobruk
"You are a member of one of the most exclusive organisations in the world. There are no associate members, honorary members, temporary members, influential members. Membership cannot be bought at any price. Only you, and your continued interest can keep your exclusive Association alive, and this we must continue to do if for no other reason than to honour the memory of our departed comrades."
Siege Armed Services
Australian Army, Australian Navy, Air Force
Servicemen & women
Australian, British, Indian, Polish, Czechoslovakian, Free French
