Book description
The siege of Tobruk lasted 240 days during which the 'gallant
garrison' of Allied soldiers, primarily the Australian 9th Division,
held out against constant attacks from Rommel's Afrika Korps. The
battle became one of the longest sieges in British military history
and a potent symbol of British resistance. However, Tobruk's
importance was far beyond that of a mere symbol in the war, it was a
key fortress and port that enabled the resupply of troops throughout
the Western Desert theatre. Indeed, Goebbels was so infuriated by the
British stand that he referred to the garrison troops as 'rats' and
the 'Rats of Tobruk' became known for their tenacity. When the
fortress finally fell to German tanks on 21 June 1942 with the loss of
25,000 men Churchill said it was 'one of the heaviest blows I can
recall during the war'. Through quotes and maps the text explores the
unfolding action of the battle and puts the reader on the frontline.
If you truly want to understand what happened and why - read Battle Story.
Pier Paolo Battistellli earned his PhD in Military History at
the University of padua. A Scholar of German and Italian politics and
strategy throughout the Second World War, he is active in Italy and
abroad writing titles and essays on military history subjects. A
contributor to the Italian Army Historical Office, he has written
extensively on the Western Desert Campaign, including: AfrikaKorps
Soldier 1914-43, Erwin Rommel, Italian Blackshirt 1935-45 and Panzer
Divisions 1944-45.
