Changes

The Siege of Tobruk was a confrontation between Axis and Allied forces that lasted for 253 days in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The siege started on 10 April 1941, when Tobruk was attacked by an Italo–German force under Lieutenant-General [[Erwin Rommel]], and continued for 253 days up to 10 December 1941, when it was lifted when Major-General [[Stanisław Kopański]]'s [[Carpathian Brigade]] attacked and captured White Knoll hill during [[Operation Crusader]].<ref>''The Brigade fought along the western perimeter of Tobruk, and during the December break-out pushed past the Italian Brescia Division in the battle for the 'White Knoll' and captured Acroma." (The Polish Army 1939-45, Steven Zaloga, Richard Hook, p. 18, Osprey Publishing, 2013)</ref>

The '''Siege of Tobruk''' was a confrontation between Axis and Allied forces that lasted for 253 days in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The siege started on 10 April 1941, when Tobruk was attacked by an Italo–German force under Lieutenant-General [[Erwin Rommel]], and continued for 253 days up to 10 December 1941, when it was lifted when Major-General [[Stanisław Kopański]]'s [[Carpathian Brigade]] attacked and captured White Knoll hill during [[Operation Crusader]].<ref>''The Brigade fought along the western perimeter of Tobruk, and during the December break-out pushed past the Italian Brescia Division in the battle for the 'White Knoll' and captured Acroma." (The Polish Army 1939-45, Steven Zaloga, Richard Hook, p. 18, Osprey Publishing, 2013)</ref>

==Easter Battle==

==Easter Battle==

Then came the turn of 9th Platoon's dug-in along strongpoints R.0 and R.1. After a fight in which three were killed and four wounded, the defenders surrendered. The crews of two Royal Horse Artillery 2-pounders put up a fight, knocking out some of the panzers, but when the guns tried to turn to engage tanks moving to their flank, they exposed themselves to German machine-gunners, with the gunners either killed or wounded. The bunkered platoons from the neighbouring C Company , 2/24th Battalion were also attacked. Strongpoint S.5 was captured at first light on 1 May, but strongpoint S.4 (Corporal Rod Deering) and S.6 (Captain Lin Canty<ref>"With German tanks and infantry attacking, and ammunition almost exhausted, Captain Canty surrendered the post about 9 a.m. Of 26 men, C.S.M. Neil Wyte recorded Corporal Duncan, Privates G. Vains, L. H. Brown, Welsh and Crick—killed in action; eight men missing; and Captain Canty, Lieutenant Kelly, W.O.2 Wyte and Private C. W. Woodhouse wounded." (The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 74, Jacaranda Press, 1963)</ref>) held out grimly until the morning. Strongpoint S.7 (Corporal Thomson) stubbornly resisted, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Italians, before the attackers were able to throw in grenades. Attacks by Italian infantry, on strongpoints S.8, S.9 and S.10 were repelled. Nevertheless, C Company suffered 20 men killed and wounded, and another 44 taken prisoner in the fighting in the northern sector that largely involved troops from the ''Brescia'' Infantry Division.

Then came the turn of 9th Platoon's dug-in along strongpoints R.0 and R.1. After a fight in which three were killed and four wounded, the defenders surrendered. The crews of two Royal Horse Artillery 2-pounders put up a fight, knocking out some of the panzers, but when the guns tried to turn to engage tanks moving to their flank, they exposed themselves to German machine-gunners, with the gunners either killed or wounded. The bunkered platoons from the neighbouring C Company , 2/24th Battalion were also attacked. Strongpoint S.5 was captured at first light on 1 May, but strongpoint S.4 (Corporal Rod Deering) and S.6 (Captain Lin Canty<ref>"With German tanks and infantry attacking, and ammunition almost exhausted, Captain Canty surrendered the post about 9 a.m. Of 26 men, C.S.M. Neil Wyte recorded Corporal Duncan, Privates G. Vains, L. H. Brown, Welsh and Crick—killed in action; eight men missing; and Captain Canty, Lieutenant Kelly, W.O.2 Wyte and Private C. W. Woodhouse wounded." (The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 74, Jacaranda Press, 1963)</ref>) held out grimly until the morning. Strongpoint S.7 (Corporal Thomson) stubbornly resisted, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Italians, before the attackers were able to throw in grenades. Attacks by Italian infantry, on strongpoints S.8, S.9 and S.10 were repelled. Nevertheless, C Company suffered 20 men killed and wounded, and another 44 taken prisoner in the fighting in the northern sector that largely involved troops from the ''Brescia'' Infantry Division.

The attack in the southern sector also involved Italian troops and Lieutenant John Mair's 16th Platoon, D Company, defending strongpoints R.2 and R.3 and R.4<ref>"Posts R2, R3 and R4 were occupied by Lieutenant John Mair's 16 Platoon." The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 78, Jacaranda Press, 1963</ref>were overrun by the Italians.<ref> "La sera del 29 il 1° plotone della 3a, agli ordini del Sototenente Ernesto Betti, andò in azione con un gruppo comandato dal Tenente dei Bersaglieri Melis. Questo reparto era costituito di un plotone Arditi dell'8° Bersaglieri e di 2 carri M13. Guastatori aprirono un varco nel campo minato protetto da filo spinato, antistante la Ridotto R3, I'assaltarono e la conquistarono utilizzando lanciafiamme e cariche cubiche ... Un commento al Bollettino di Guerra, trasmesso alle 13:00 del 10 maggio, informava che reparti del Genio Guastatori avevano espugnato 5 fortini della cerchia di Tobruk." (Genio Guastatori, Silvestri Angioni Lombardi , p. 47, Edizioni R.E.I., 2015)</ref>According to an Australian defender, ''"That night the slightest move would bring a flare over our position and the area would be lit like day. We passed a night of merry hell as the pounding went on."'' Italian infantry were then able to close in, and grenades were thrown into the bunkers. Nevertheless, strongpoints R.5 (Sergeant Gordon Poidevin<ref>"Sergeant Gordon Poidevin's 16 Platoon was split between Posts R5 and R7, both forward on the perimeter wire." The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 78, Jacaranda Press, 1963</ref>), R.6 (Captain Arthur Bird) and R.7 (Corporal K. S. Jones)<ref>"During the night desultory shell fire and occasional small-arms fire was heard. Morning of 2 May was very quiet but enemy tanks were observed lying in and around posts. Good deal of enemy infantry "movement and a party of Australians (these were Corporal Jones and his men from R7) wree seen to be marched off as prisoners."." The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 84, Jacaranda Press, 1963</ref>were taken only after stubborn resistance, and fought on until they had run out of ammunition or had grenades tossed into the firing pits. After they had been taken prisoner, General Rommel spoke to them ''"for you the war is over and I wish you good luck"'', recalled Corporal Jones

The attack in the southern sector also involved Italian troops and Lieutenant John Mair's 16th Platoon, D Company, defending strongpoints R.2 and R.3 and R.4<ref>"Posts R2, R3 and R4 were occupied by Lieutenant John Mair's 16 Platoon." The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 78, Jacaranda Press, 1963</ref> were overrun by the Italians.<ref>"La sera del 29 il 1° plotone della 3a, agli ordini del Sototenente Ernesto Betti, andò in azione con un gruppo comandato dal Tenente dei Bersaglieri Melis. Questo reparto era costituito di un plotone Arditi dell'8° Bersaglieri e di 2 carri M13. Guastatori aprirono un varco nel campo minato protetto da filo spinato, antistante la Ridotto R3, I'assaltarono e la conquistarono utilizzando lanciafiamme e cariche cubiche ... Un commento al Bollettino di Guerra, trasmesso alle 13:00 del 10 maggio, informava che reparti del Genio Guastatori avevano espugnato 5 fortini della cerchia di Tobruk." (Genio Guastatori, Silvestri Angioni Lombardi , p. 47, Edizioni R.E.I., 2015)</ref> According to an Australian defender, ''"That night the slightest move would bring a flare over our position and the area would be lit like day. We passed a night of merry hell as the pounding went on."'' Italian infantry were then able to close in, and grenades were thrown into the bunkers. Nevertheless, strongpoints R.5 (Sergeant Gordon Poidevin<ref>"Sergeant Gordon Poidevin's 16 Platoon was split between Posts R5 and R7, both forward on the perimeter wire." The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 78, Jacaranda Press, 1963</ref>), R.6 (Captain Arthur Bird) and R.7 (Corporal K. S. Jones)<ref>"During the night desultory shell fire and occasional small-arms fire was heard. Morning of 2 May was very quiet but enemy tanks were observed lying in and around posts. Good deal of enemy infantry "movement and a party of Australians (these were Corporal Jones and his men from R7) wree seen to be marched off as prisoners."." The Second Twenty-Fourth Australian Infantry Battalion of the 9th Australian Division: A History, R. P. Serle, 2/24th i.e. Second Twenty-fourth Australian Infantry Battalion Association, p. 84, Jacaranda Press, 1963</ref> were taken only after stubborn resistance, and fought on until they had run out of ammunition or had grenades tossed into the firing pits. After they had been taken prisoner, General Rommel spoke to them ''"for you the war is over and I wish you good luck"'', recalled Corporal Jones

The British 51st Field Regiment had been constantly firing, causing an entire German battalion to scatter and, according to Rommel, creating panic in the Italian infantry. Seven British Cruiser and five Matilda tanks also appeared in the Italian area of penetration, engaging in an inconclusive battle with Italian tanks.

The British 51st Field Regiment had been constantly firing, causing an entire German battalion to scatter and, according to Rommel, creating panic in the Italian infantry. Seven British Cruiser and five Matilda tanks also appeared in the Italian area of penetration, engaging in an inconclusive battle with Italian tanks.

==The Siege==

==The Siege==

The besieging units would be mainly Italians, belonging to the ''Ariete'' and ''Trieste'' Diviisons (20th Motorised Corps) and ''Pavia'', ''Bologna'', and ''Brescia'' Divisions (21st Infantry Corps). The Australian commanders remain determined to recapture the ground lost. On 3 May, the Australians launch a counterattack employing the 18th Brigade but are only able to recapture one strongpoint from what Australian historians admit to be held by the Italians. On the night of 16-17 May, the Axis besiegers retaliate. With pathways in the Tobruk forward defences cleared, the participating Brescia infantry attack using flame-throwers. The participating German unit under a Major Betz fails in their attack, but two platoons of the 32nd Combat Sappers Battalion come to their rescue, securing the S.8, S.9 and S.10 strongpoints and successfully defend them from Australian counterattacks that includes an attempt to regain R.7 that night.<ref>"... il reparto tedesco penetrò profondamente nel campo minato ma fu scoperto e fatto segno di una forte resistenza nemica. Essendo venuto a mancare l'effetto sorpresa i Sturpioneer tedeschi subirono gravissime perdite. Riuscirono a conquistare la posizione ma non riuscivano a tenerla, causa i contrattacchi delgi Australiani. A questo punto il Maggiore Franceschini, di sua iniziativa, mando la 3a ad attacare sul fianco gli Australiani mentre la 4a si oppose frontalmente ai nemici.Cosi le due compagnie conquistarono la quota. I tedeschi, fortemente provati, ebbero oltre 100 caduti, si ritirarono lasciando i soli Guastatori a presidiare la quota. Il Maggiore Betz, informo il comando del comportamiento dei Guastatori, Qualche giorno piu tardi arrivo Rommel, per vistare il reparto, si fece dare 4 nomi e li premio con la Coce di ferro II classe: Ten. Mario Pazzaglia, Ten. Aroldo Anzani, Sten, Rolando De Angelis e Serg. Mario Venturi." (Genio Guastatori, Silvestri Angioni Lombardi , pp. 50-51, Edizioni R.E.I., 2015)</ref><ref>"Raising doubts about the chances of success of a renewed assault on the stubborn post R7 after the failure of his battalion's attack on 17 May, Evans was told by Brigadier Wootten: 'Listen, laddie, when I want your advice I'll ask for it.'" Australian Battalion Commanders in the Second World War, Garth Pratten, Cambridge University Press, 2009</ref>

The besieging units would be mainly Italians, belonging to the ''Ariete'' and ''Trieste'' Diviisons (20th Motorised Corps) and ''Pavia'', ''Bologna'', and ''Brescia'' Divisions (21st Infantry Corps). The Australian commanders remain determined to recapture the ground lost. On 3 May, the Australians launch a counterattack employing the 18th Brigade but are only able to recapture one strongpoint from what Australian historians admit to be held by the Italians. On the night of 16–17 May, the Axis besiegers retaliate. With pathways in the Tobruk forward defences cleared, the participating Brescia infantry attack using flame-throwers. The participating German unit under a Major Betz fails in their attack, but two platoons of the 32nd Combat Sappers Battalion come to their rescue, securing the S.8, S.9 and S.10 strongpoints and successfully defend them from Australian counterattacks that includes an attempt to regain R.7 that night.<ref>"... il reparto tedesco penetrò profondamente nel campo minato ma fu scoperto e fatto segno di una forte resistenza nemica. Essendo venuto a mancare l'effetto sorpresa i Sturpioneer tedeschi subirono gravissime perdite. Riuscirono a conquistare la posizione ma non riuscivano a tenerla, causa i contrattacchi delgi Australiani. A questo punto il Maggiore Franceschini, di sua iniziativa, mando la 3a ad attacare sul fianco gli Australiani mentre la 4a si oppose frontalmente ai nemici.Cosi le due compagnie conquistarono la quota. I tedeschi, fortemente provati, ebbero oltre 100 caduti, si ritirarono lasciando i soli Guastatori a presidiare la quota. Il Maggiore Betz, informo il comando del comportamiento dei Guastatori, Qualche giorno piu tardi arrivo Rommel, per vistare il reparto, si fece dare 4 nomi e li premio con la Coce di ferro II classe: Ten. Mario Pazzaglia, Ten. Aroldo Anzani, Sten, Rolando De Angelis e Serg. Mario Venturi." (Genio Guastatori, Silvestri Angioni Lombardi , pp. 50-51, Edizioni R.E.I., 2015)</ref><ref>"Raising doubts about the chances of success of a renewed assault on the stubborn post R7 after the failure of his battalion's attack on 17 May, Evans was told by Brigadier Wootten: 'Listen, laddie, when I want your advice I'll ask for it.'" Australian Battalion Commanders in the Second World War, Garth Pratten, Cambridge University Press, 2009</ref>

Major-General Leslie Morshead is furious that another 3 strongpoints have been lost and orders the Australians to be far more vigilant in the future.<ref>"  Today we lost posts S8, S9 and S10, the occupants having been taken prisoners in the circumstances set out in the attached document. This is the second time that portion of our garrison has vanished. As far as can be ascertained the number of casualties was negligible, the posts having been just mopped up – rather a new experience for the AIF."  (Australia in the War of 1939-1945. 4 volumes, Chapter 7: Midsummer in the Fortress, p. 251, Australian War Memorial, 1952-1968)</ref>

Major-General Leslie Morshead is furious that another 3 strongpoints have been lost and orders the Australians to be far more vigilant in the future.<ref>"  Today we lost posts S8, S9 and S10, the occupants having been taken prisoners in the circumstances set out in the attached document. This is the second time that portion of our garrison has vanished. As far as can be ascertained the number of casualties was negligible, the posts having been just mopped up – rather a new experience for the AIF."  (Australia in the War of 1939-1945. 4 volumes, Chapter 7: Midsummer in the Fortress, p. 251, Australian War Memorial, 1952-1968)</ref>