War Stories: Rats of Tobruk

Summary

The script recounts the legendary tale of the 'Rats of Tobruk', Australian troops who fiercely defended the vital Mediterranean port during WWII. Their tenacity under constant bombardment earned them the nickname, which they embraced with pride. The exhibition at the Australian War Memorial showcases personal stories, war tools, and artifacts, highlighting the soldiers' humor, mateship, and endurance. It also features the heroics of Jack Edmondson, the first Australian to receive a Victoria Cross in the war, and the poignant tale of John Johnson, whose family's correspondence poignantly continued even after his tragic death.

Takeaways

• 🇦🇺 The Australian troops' defense of Tobruk 70 years ago added to their legendary reputation, earning them the nickname 'Rats of Tobruk'.
• 🏛 The new exhibition at the Australian War Memorial commemorates the Rats of Tobruk, showcasing their personal stories and the legendary status they achieved.
• 🌍 The strategic importance of Tobruk was due to its position as the best deep-water harbor between Egypt and Libya, crucial for maintaining links with Australasia and the Pacific.
• 🔍 The British forces aimed to protect the Suez Canal and Egypt, highlighting the geopolitical significance of the North African campaign during World War II.
• 🐭 The nickname 'Rats of Tobruk' originated from Nazi propaganda, which the Australian troops defiantly adopted as a badge of pride.
• 💪 Major General Leslie Morshead, a Gallipoli veteran, led with an aggressive spirit, influencing his troops to adopt an 'active defense' strategy.
• 🌙 The Australian troops' nightly patrols and harassment of the enemy demonstrated their proactive approach to warfare, aiming to keep the enemy at bay.
• 🏆 Jack Edmondson was the first Australian of WWII to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions during a hand-to-hand combat, despite being mortally wounded.
• 📚 The exhibition includes personal artifacts, such as a scrapbook created by Jack Edmondson's mother, which captures a mother's love through newspaper articles and objects.
• 🎖️ The service medals of John Johnson and a Battalion Association badge from his wife are displayed, representing the personal sacrifices made by soldiers from various backgrounds.
• 📨 John Johnson's family letters continue to arrive after his death, illustrating the tragic impact of war on families and the community.

Q & A

What was the significance of the defense of Tobruk during World War II?

The defense of Tobruk was significant because it was the best deep water harbor in North Africa between Egypt and Libya, and it was crucial for maintaining British links with Australasia and the Pacific through the Suez Canal.

How did the Australian troops at Tobruk earn the nickname 'Rats of Tobruk'?

The Australian troops earned the nickname 'Rats of Tobruk' when Nazi propagandist Lord Haw Haw declared they were caught 'like rats in a trap' under constant bombardment. The soldiers adopted this name as a defiant badge of pride.

Who was Major General Leslie Moreshead and what was his role at Tobruk?

Major General Leslie Moreshead was the aggressive commander of the Tobruk garrison. He was a Gallipoli veteran and instilled a spirit of active defense in his troops, going out into no-man's land each night to patrol and harass the enemy.

What was Moreshead's policy of 'active defense' and how did it manifest?

Moreshead's policy of 'active defense' involved keeping the enemy away from the outer perimeter by going out into no-man's land each night to patrol and harass the enemy, rather than passively waiting for them to attack.

What qualities did the 'Rats of Tobruk' embody, as mentioned in the script?

The 'Rats of Tobruk' embodied qualities such as defiance, mateship, humor, and endurance, which were in line with the traditions and stories of their fathers and older relatives from the First World War.

What is the connection between the 'Rats of Tobruk' and the original Anzacs?

The 'Rats of Tobruk' were considered the sons of the original Anzacs, achieving their own legendary status at Tobruk, much like their forebears had in the First World War.

What can visitors expect to see at the Australian War Memorial exhibition about the 'Rats of Tobruk'?

Visitors can expect to see personal stories, tools of war such as weapons, and personal effects that belonged to the soldiers, including a scrapbook created by Jack Edmonson's mother and John Johnson's service medals and a badge from his wife.

Who was Jack Edmonson and why is he significant in the context of the Tobruk siege?

Jack Edmonson was the first Australian of the Second World War to be awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions during a hand-to-hand combat on the night of April 13th, where he saved his commanding officer's life but was mortally wounded.

What is the significance of the scrapbook created by Jack Edmonson's mother?

The scrapbook created by Jack Edmonson's mother is significant as it captures a mother's love and the personal impact of war, containing objects, newspaper articles, and other mementos.

How does the exhibition at the Australian War Memorial highlight the diversity of the soldiers involved in the Tobruk siege?

The exhibition highlights the diversity of the soldiers by showcasing men from all over Australia and various backgrounds who achieved fame and earned the enduring nickname 'Rats of Tobruk' under taxing circumstances.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Legend of the Rats of Tobruk

This paragraph recounts the legendary status of Australian troops, known as the Rats of Tobruk, who defended the vital Mediterranean port during World War II. The story emphasizes the strategic importance of Tobruk's harbor for British forces and its role in maintaining links with Australia and the Pacific. The nickname originated from Nazi propaganda, which the troops defiantly adopted. Major General Leslie Morshead's aggressive leadership and the spirit of active defense are highlighted, along with the personal stories and artifacts featured in the Australian War Memorial exhibition, commemorating the soldiers' bravery, mateship, and humor.

Keywords

💡Digger

The term 'Digger' is a nickname for Australian soldiers, particularly those who served in World War I. It originated from the soldiers' need to dig trenches and became a symbol of their resilience and tenacity. In the context of the video, 'Digger' refers to the Australian troops who defended Tobruk and further enhanced this reputation through their legendary deeds.

💡Mediterranean port

A 'Mediterranean port' refers to a harbor located along the Mediterranean Sea. In the video, the defense of a small but vital Mediterranean port is highlighted as a significant event in the North African campaign during World War II, emphasizing the strategic importance of Tobruk as a deep-water harbor.

💡Rats of Tobruk

The 'Rats of Tobruk' is a nickname adopted by the Australian soldiers who defended Tobruk against the Axis forces. The name originated from Nazi propaganda, which described them as trapped like rats. The soldiers embraced this moniker as a badge of pride, symbolizing their defiance and determination under siege.

💡Suez Canal

The 'Suez Canal' is a crucial waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, facilitating trade and military movements. The video mentions the strategic importance of the Suez Canal and Egypt to the British forces, as they aimed to protect these links to maintain connections with Australia and the Pacific.

💡Tobruk

Tobruk is a city in Libya that played a significant role during World War II as a well-located deep-water harbor. The video discusses the importance of Tobruk in the North African campaign and how the Australian garrison's defense of the city became a symbol of their bravery and resilience.

💡Nazi propagandist Lord Haw Haw

Lord Haw Haw was the nickname of William Joyce, a British-born fascist and Nazi propaganda broadcaster during World War II. In the video, he is mentioned for his derogatory comment that the Australian troops were 'caught like rats in a trap,' which they defiantly adopted as their nickname.

💡Major General Leslie Moreshead

Major General Leslie Moreshead was the commander of the Australian forces at Tobruk. The video describes him as an aggressive leader who instilled a spirit of active defense in his troops, encouraging them to patrol and harass the enemy rather than passively wait for an attack.

💡Active defense

In military strategy, 'active defense' refers to taking the initiative to engage the enemy outside one's own territory to prevent their advance. The video explains Moreshead's policy of active defense, stating that Tobruk was not just a place to hold but to fight from, emphasizing the proactive approach of the Australian troops.

💡Anzacs

The term 'Anzacs' refers to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, known for their bravery and camaraderie during World War I. The video connects the soldiers of Tobruk to the Anzacs, highlighting the legacy of courage and mateship that the 'Rats of Tobruk' inherited and exemplified.

💡Victoria Cross

The 'Victoria Cross' is the highest military decoration awarded for valor in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries. The video mentions Jack Edmondson, the first Australian of World War II to receive this honor, for his heroic actions during the siege of Tobruk.

💡Australian War Memorial

The 'Australian War Memorial' is a national institution in Australia that commemorates the sacrifice and service of Australians in war. The video discusses a new exhibition at this memorial dedicated to the 'Rats of Tobruk,' showcasing personal stories, artifacts, and the legacy of these soldiers.

Highlights

Australian troops' defense of Tobruk added to their reputation 70 years ago.

The war in North Africa was about protecting the Suez Canal and maintaining links with Australasia and the Pacific.

Tobruk was the best deep water harbor in North Africa between Egypt and Libya.

The Tobruk garrison adopted the nickname 'Rats of Tobruk' after being called so by Nazi propagandist Lord Haw Haw.

Major General Leslie Moreshead was the aggressive commander of the Tobruk garrison.

Moreshead's policy of 'active defense' involved patrolling and harassing the enemy to keep them away from the perimeter.

The Rats of Tobruk were the sons of the original Anzacs and achieved legendary status at Tobruk.

The exhibition at the Australian War Memorial showcases personal stories and artifacts of the Rats of Tobruk.

The siege of Tobruk is an example of humor, mateship, and endurance.

Jack Edmondson was the first Australian of the Second World War to be awarded a Victoria Cross.

Jack Edmondson's mother created a scrapbook after his death, which is featured in the exhibition.

John Johnson's service medals and a Battalion Association badge from his wife are part of the exhibition.

John Johnson, a carpenter and father of eight, continued to receive letters from his children after his death.

The exhibition highlights men from diverse backgrounds who earned fame and the nickname 'Rats of Tobruk'.

Transcripts

Seventy years ago Australian troops added to the already stellar reputation of the Digger.

There defence of a small but vital Mediterranean port, there deeds have become legendry and

there nickname part of our language they were the Rats of Tobruk and they are being commemmorated

in a new exhibition at the Australian War Memorial. Ultimately the war in North Africa

was about the Suez Canal, the British forces wanted to protect it and Egypt because that

maintained links with Australasis and the Pacific. Tobruk was important because it was

the best deep water harbour in North Africa between Egypt and Libya, so Tobruk is a really

big story. Because the Tobruk garrison is forced to dig in under constant bombardment,

the Nazi propagandist Lord Haw Haw declared they were caught "like rats in a trap". The

men on hearing this on the radio adopted the name as a defiant badge of pride and became

"the rats of Tobruk". Major General Leslie Moreshead was their very aggressive commander,

a Gallipoli vetrean his troops dubbed him 'Ming the Merciless, it was a spirit he passed

on to his men, who rather than be passive and waiting for the Germans and Italians to

come to them, went out into the no-mans land each night to patrol and harrass the enemy.

Moreshead intention was to keep the enemy away from the outer perimeter. He summed up

his policy of "active defence" quite simply "Tobruks not here to take it" he said "where

here to give it!". That defiance along with qualities like mateship and humour were in

the traditions of the stories with which the rats of Tobruk had grown-up of what their

fathers, uncles and older brothers had achieved in the First World War. They were very much

the sons of the original Anzacs and at Tobruk they achieved their own legendry status. When

people come and see the exhibition they really see the personal stories behind the Rats of

Tobruk, some of the tools of war such as the weapons which the men carried into battle

but they can also see a lot of those quite strong personal affects. The seige of Tobruk

offers examples of humour, mateship and endurance. It also has its stories of great herroism

Jack Edmonson was the first Australian of the Second World War to be awarded a Victoria

Cross. Jack was involved in a very bitter, bloody hand-to-hand action on the night of

13th April, where he saved the life of his commanding officer but he was mortally wounded

in action . After Jack's death his mother created this scrap book of objects, newspaper

articles and its that mothers love which is really encaptured in this exhibition. There

is the service medals of John Johnson and the little supporting Battalion Association

badge from his wife Josephine Johnson. He was a carpenter form rural Victoria, he was

the father of eight children when he went of to war. Each day the kids would write to

John about the simple things, school, the chickens not laying eggs. Tragically Josephine

gets a telegram saying John has been killed but his letters continue to arrive home for

some weeks after the event. The exhibition at the Australian War Memorial is about men

from all over Australia, from all sorts of backgrounds who put in the most taxing of

circumstances achieved fame and earned an enduring nickname the Rats of Tobruk.