After many German victories the only force that managed to stop the German march on Egypt was an allied garrison stationed in Tobruk. For eight months the Tobruk garrison which mainly included Australia soldiers, was surronded by German and Italian forces while withstanding a multitude of tank attacks, artillery barrages and daily bombings. In the face of overwhelming forces the garrision did not surrender or retreat, they showed unwavering determination, bravery, humour and combined the aggressive tactics fo the garrsions commanders; led to the them being awared the name ‘Rats of Tobruk’.
Australian War Memorial, ‘Rats of Tobruk 1941’, https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/tobruk , accessed 3 September 2018.
The memorial inscription reads:
IN MEMORY OF ALL WHO SUFFERED THE SEIGE OF TOBRUK
9TH APRIL 1941 – 12TH DECEMBER 1941
THE RATS OF TOBRUK
