Home » Themes » Conflict » World War Two
Rats of Tobruk MemorialPrint Page 
The memorial commemorates those who died in service or were killed in action in the Siege of Tobruk during World War Two.
The Siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 241 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 and continued for 241 days up to 27 November 1941, when it was relieved by the Allied 8th Army during Operation Crusader.
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: | 2 Winchester Street, St Alban`s Chapel, The Southport School, Southport, 4215 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.986463 Long: 153.414216 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 10-April-1941 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 27-November-1941 |
Dedication
Rats of Tobruk Memorial
This monument is a replica of one erected in Tobruk to commemorate the sacrifices of the 680 Australians and other Allied soldiers who died in its defence April - December 1941 and the many who have died since, may they rest in peace.
Lest We Forget
Plaque :
Tobruk, a strategic port on the North African coast was the scene of the longest siege in British military history and the first defeat of German arms in World War 2.
Australian troops involved were mostly 9th Division and 18th Brigade A.I.F. together with soldiers from Britain, India and Poland, ably supported and supplied by ships of the Royal and Royal Australian Navy
