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Find out moreThe deep and natural harbour of Tobruk in northern Libya was something both sides of the Second World War were keen to utilise – leading to a months-long battle for the city.
The Tobruk siege would go down in history for many reasons, from the bravery of the Australian ‘Rats of Tobruk’ to the sheer disparity between the strength of Axis and Allied forces. Here, we look at the troops, artillery, ships and aircraft involved – in numbers.
Australian troops occupy a front line position at Tobruk
Allied soldiers saw regular reinforcement and resupply via the Royal Navy, but were still significantly outnumbered.
AlliesApprox. 27,000 (Equivalent to the population of Chichester)
Approx. 27,000 (Equivalent to the population of Chichester)
Italian troops and arms on their way to Tobruk 1941
*approximate figures
Allies
Killed
150
1,200
1
20
Wounded
460
2,150
25
80
Missing
15
475
500
Axis
Killed
1,150
180
550
Wounded
4,250
1,650
Missing
3,850
680
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The Allies held out for:
In the same amount of time…
Allied soldiers from across the British Empire and the globe fought at the siege, helping to hold off Axis attacks.
The British Army in North Africa 1943
After falling back to Tobruk in April 1941, the Allied soldiers made use of existing Italian defences. This included a 30-mile perimeter, designed to keep artillery away from the port.
Other defences included:
“There will be no Dunkirk here.”
- LT General Leslie Morshead
The Allies trapped inside Tobruk were sure to use the guns left behind by the retreating Italians against their attackers. They also had artillery of their own, allowing them to seriously pack a punch when Axis tanks broke through the ranks.
In Tobruk, the Allies initially had 88 field guns and 16 medium guns at their disposal. Typically, an infantry division at the time would have only had 72x25pdr field guns.
Italian gunners in position at Tobruk
Here, they also deployed:
On November 19th, 1941, reinforcements came via the port, bringing with them an additional 20 x 25pdr guns.
On November 19th, 1941, reinforcements came via the port, bringing with them an additional 20 x 25pdr guns.
Over the course of the year, Allied ships brought supplies and men to Tobruk.
Total supplies taken to Tobruk: 33,946 long tons
Australian destroyers travelled to Tobruk 139 times at the height of the siege.
The total collective distance travelled by these suppliers was approx. 50,000 miles. That’s the same as travelling around the globe twice.
Arrival of an Italian military convoy in Tobruch in 1941
Planes used in the siege:
By contrast, the modern F-35B Lightning, used today by the RAF, can reach speeds of 1227mph.
Hawker Hurricane
Max Speed 340mph
Martlet Mk II
Max Speed 293mph
Stuka
Max Speed 210mph
Messerschmitt BF 109
Max Speed 426mph
30 years prior, Tobruk was the site of the very first aircraft to be used in combat, during a battle between Italy and Ottoman-held Libya.
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