Australians Say "Farewell Tobruk"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 281, 27 November 1941, Page 6

Australians Say "Farewell Tobruk"

SYDNEY, November 25. Most of the Australian Ninth Division was withdrawn from Tobruk before the present British attack in Libya began, but a small Australian garrison is still there with British, Polish, Czech and Indian troops to greet the relieving columns when they come, says the Herald's war correspondent with the A.I.F. British warships brought in new troops, and evacuated the Australians by night, without the enemy realising what was happening. Not one man was killed or injured by hostile action.

The withdrawal took six weeks, but the main movement of troops was completed in under a fortnight. Australian destroyers took part, and R.A.A.F. planes helped to guard the ships.

During the siege of Tobruk, which began on April 10—the Australians were subjected to almost daily bombing and shelling, but they beat back repeated tank and infantry attacks, made no man's land their own, and by unexpected sorties so harassed the Axis forces that an enemy attack on Egypt could never be developed. The Australian losses were 500 dead. Held Sector 194 Days The Australians held a sector of Tobruk for 194 days—eight days longer than the beleagured garrison of Mafeking. Those who were left behind cursed their luck when told that the warships which were to have taken them had not arrived, but, at their own request, they were back in the front line within, 12 hours. I saw one contingent leave Tobruk. There was nothing dispirited about them. The news that they would be withdrawn from Tobruk was received by the Australians with joy, but there was some disappointment, because they could not march out and share in the triumph of the victorious British drive which they knew must come. On the moonless night of October 1 a big batch of men of the Ninth Division left Tobruk, and throughout pitch-black nights the move went on smoothly and uneventfully.

It was like scnooi t>reaking up, General Moorshead, the commanding officer, told me.

"We were glad to be going, but we went out with our tails up. At the same time Poles, Czechs and British troops were still being brought into the citadel to take the place of the Australians. It was a stupendous task, and in some ways as perilous and difficult as DunkirkNo War-Weariness These men had suffered du.itstorms, heat, fleas, flies, sleepless nights when the earth shook with the roar of the enemy's bombardment. But it was no weary and dispirited army I saw. "We could hang on here another year—for ever; if ve were asked," a Sydney brigadier told me. "This is not the way we wanted to go, but we are glad to be going."

Tattered uniforms were discarded. Men stood in queues to put creases in trousers and press tunics carefully preserved for this day. Colour patches were sewn on again neatly, and socks, shirts and underwear washed in the precious water ration.

Everywhere, from colonel to private, they talked about the same things—hot baths, beer, what they would eat, where they would go.

Raids During Withdrawal

On the night of this withdrawal, enemy aircraft flew over Tobruk harbour, and dropped flares, but they failed to see the troops waiting to go, or the warships which would take them.

The Poles were now holding the lines the Australians had vacated.

Many came to say farewell to the Australians, with whom they had made many firm friendships. Badges, handclasps, and promises to write were exchanged.

It was not until the men were walking heavily along white ribbons of road, ankle deep in dust, which led to the quaysides, that the drone of enemy planes cut into the silence. Australians hurried into the dark shadows and cliffs and wrecked buildings.

The light of the flares silhouetted sunken ships in the harbour, but that was all.

For an hour the night "hate" went on. Then, with the usual German precision, it ended. Black night came down like a blanket and the ships came in.

As a ship began to disgorge reinforcing troops, a tall Digger greeted them, grasping the leader's hand.

"Welcome, Sarge, welcome to Tobruk," he said.

Soon the Australians had taken their places on the decks of the warships; the fleet, having unloaded supplies, put to sea again.

"Like a ferry ride to Manly," one of the naval officers said afterwards.

History of Siege

The Ninth Division relieved the Sixth Division, Cvrenaica, early in March, expecting to be a "holding force." However, within a few days, it was fighting a desperate withdrawal action against German armoured divisions and the Luftwaffe, which had launched a strong cou n ter-o ffen s i ve.

The division retired to Tobruk, and was surrounded by the enemy's land forces on April 10.

The brilliant defence was marked by daring sallies, directed by General Morshead. The greatest test was on April 14, when a large force of German tanks crashed through the first defence lines before being repulsed.

General Morshead, in a special interview, told me: "The great thing about Tobruk was teamwork. There were British, Indians, Poles, and Australians there, and their fighting was teamwork in the highest sense. Most outstanding in the defence was our aggressive patroMing and occupation of frontline outposts. Right from the very first day, we determined that No-man's-lahd would be ours and so it was."