Siege of Tobruk Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Siege of Tobruk

Part of the North African Campaign of World War II

Australian troops occupy a front line position at Tobruk

Date	10 April – 27 November 1941
Location	Tobruk, Libya
Result	Allied victory

Belligerents

Australia
United Kingdom

British India

Poland

Czechoslovakia

Germany

Italy

Commanders and leaders

Leslie Morshead (to Sept 1941)

Ronald Scobie (from Sept 1941)

Erwin Rommel

Strength

27,000

35,000

Casualties and losses

At least 3,836 deaths

12,296
At least 74–150 aircraft destroyed

The Siege of Tobruk was a long battle during World War II. It took place in Libya, a country in North Africa. This important fight was part of the North African Campaign.

The siege lasted for 241 days, from April 11 to November 27, 1941. It was fought between the Axis Powers (mainly Germany and Italy) and the Allied Forces. The Axis forces were led by Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel.

Tobruk was a very important place because it had a deep, safe harbour. This harbour was perfect for ships to bring in supplies and soldiers. The town also had strong fortifications built by the Italians. Natural cliffs and escarpments around Tobruk also helped protect it.

The Allies wanted to control Tobruk to defend Egypt and the important Suez Canal. If the Axis armies couldn't use Tobruk's port, they had to bring supplies from Tripoli. This meant a very long journey of about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) across the desert by truck. This made it much harder for the Axis to fight.

Even after the Allies took control of Tobruk, the Axis armies kept trying to get it back. They fired many artillery shells and dropped many bombs on the town.

Images for kids

Australian troops occupy a front line position at Tobruk
One of many Italian convoys heading towards North Africa
Italian troops and arms on their way to Tobruk 1941
Italian gunners in position at Tobruk
Czechoslovak 11th Infantry Battalion defending Tobruk
Ju 87 Stuka burning near Tobruk—souvenir hunters have taken the Nazi Swastika from the Vertical stabiliser.
British officers plan tank operations
Group of Italian officers, including generals Gastone Gambara and Alessandro Piazzoni, near Tobruk in autumn 1941
Australian entrenchment on the Tobruk perimeter
Operation Battleaxe (Day 1)
A group of smiling Indian soldiers in Tobruk, 4 October 1941
Men of the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in defences around Tobruk, 10 November 1941.
General Sikorski visiting Polish soldiers in Tobruk
Matilda tanks at Tobruk, September 1941

Siege of Tobruk facts for kids

Images for kids

See also