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On this date in 1941, my grandfather was en route to Tobruk, Libya, where he and his mates would soon be besieged ‘til late October.
His diary kept a brief daily record of his fears, privations, joys, terrors, grief & gratitude. I think I’ll start tweeting it day by day.
His diary kept a brief daily record of his fears, privations, joys, terrors, grief & gratitude. I think I’ll start tweeting it day by day.
Monday, 24th Match 1941
Given a stolen bike. Red caps came for it after half an hour. Slept in this morning. Up very late last night with sick patients. Bought 2 table centres for (wife) Val in Barca. Spent most of day writing. Feel a bit buggered. Up very late tonight.
Given a stolen bike. Red caps came for it after half an hour. Slept in this morning. Up very late last night with sick patients. Bought 2 table centres for (wife) Val in Barca. Spent most of day writing. Feel a bit buggered. Up very late tonight.
Tuesday 25th March 1941
Near Tobruk
Orders for unit to proceed to Tobruk. Very stormy mess meeting. Harry rotten. Went mad about lack of personnel left on medical side. Got our way in the end, am staying here.
#undersiege
Near Tobruk
Orders for unit to proceed to Tobruk. Very stormy mess meeting. Harry rotten. Went mad about lack of personnel left on medical side. Got our way in the end, am staying here.
#undersiege
For context, Gordon was a medic in the 4th Australian General Hospital in North Africa at this stage. He wore the rank of sergeant on arrival in Tobruk and left at the rank of warrant officer class one. He’d finish out the war, after service in PNG, at the rank of Captain.
The diary I’m posting from was originally a tiny thing found in Gordon’s effects after he died in 1992 (pic 1). He bought it in Bombay. Keeping such a record was strictly prohibited, hence the easily-concealable size.
The diary was digitised, annotated and published in hardback by my father John, Gordon’s son. A copy of this, along with the original document, have been lodged at the @AWMemorial Canberra. The Rats of Tobruk Association also have a copy.
More tomorrow.
Stay safe, stay home, and look after each other. We’ve got through much, much worse and we’ll get through this.
Stay safe, stay home, and look after each other. We’ve got through much, much worse and we’ll get through this.
Wednesday 26th March 1941
Near Tobruk
Half unit moving to Tobruk today. Am remaining behind; terribly short-staffed to carry on until 2/2 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) arrive. Will then join unit...
[pic 2/2 CCS nurses on the deck of BHS Dorsetshire en route to Tobruk]
![Wednesday 26th March 1941Near TobrukHalf unit moving to Tobruk today. Am remaining behind; terribly short-staffed to carry on until 2/2 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) arrive. Will then join unit...[pic 2/2 CCS nurses on the deck of BHS Dorsetshire en route to Tobruk]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUAJzyHUcAAw5P1.jpg "Wednesday 26th March 1941Near TobrukHalf unit moving to Tobruk today. Am remaining behind; terribly short-staffed to carry on until 2/2 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) arrive. Will then join unit...[pic 2/2 CCS nurses on the deck of BHS Dorsetshire en route to Tobruk]")
Near Tobruk
Half unit moving to Tobruk today. Am remaining behind; terribly short-staffed to carry on until 2/2 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) arrive. Will then join unit...
[pic 2/2 CCS nurses on the deck of BHS Dorsetshire en route to Tobruk]
...Tommy Lieutenant. Put up your hands by two Ities in fortress. What a darling she is. Three more letters.
Thursday 27th March 1941
Near Tobruk
Ticked Tommy off. He replied, “Might be gentlemanly about the thing”. Am feeling very worn out and tired. Completed letter to Dah*. Gosh this Torquay snap has made me more homesick than ever. El Agheila supposed taken back by Jerry**...
Near Tobruk
Ticked Tommy off. He replied, “Might be gentlemanly about the thing”. Am feeling very worn out and tired. Completed letter to Dah*. Gosh this Torquay snap has made me more homesick than ever. El Agheila supposed taken back by Jerry**...
*Throughout the diary, “Dah” is Gordon’s shorthand for his darling, Val.
**The El Agheila front had been held by the 2nd Armoured Div, under Maj. Gen. Gambier-Parry. The enemy drove them out on 24th March 1941.
**The El Agheila front had been held by the 2nd Armoured Div, under Maj. Gen. Gambier-Parry. The enemy drove them out on 24th March 1941.
Friday 28th March 1941
Near Tobruk
Placed Smith K under arrest for A.W.L. from Ward. Worked all night because of this and feel all in. Big fire at aerodrome. Sabotage suspected. Read his mail to sick Tommy. Egyptian boy of 12 in Ward. After evening mess...
Near Tobruk
Placed Smith K under arrest for A.W.L. from Ward. Worked all night because of this and feel all in. Big fire at aerodrome. Sabotage suspected. Read his mail to sick Tommy. Egyptian boy of 12 in Ward. After evening mess...
...sat and told Jack about previous trip*. Slept most of day. Peculiar tactics in front line.
*The trip Gordon refers to was a 1935/36 trip he did to Europe & UK with a colleague in the liquor trade. He even watched Hitler officiate at the Berlin Olympic opening ceremony.
*The trip Gordon refers to was a 1935/36 trip he did to Europe & UK with a colleague in the liquor trade. He even watched Hitler officiate at the Berlin Olympic opening ceremony.
Saturday 29th March 1941
Near Tobruk
Slept some of day. Very tired. Seventh death last night. Bad case of burns. Peculiar job laying him out, was not quite dead.* Had trouble with prisoners of war on return parade. All had rations...
Near Tobruk
Slept some of day. Very tired. Seventh death last night. Bad case of burns. Peculiar job laying him out, was not quite dead.* Had trouble with prisoners of war on return parade. All had rations...
...Frank Cavanagh in hospital Sgt 3 LAA.
*one of Gordon’s jobs was preparing corpses for post mortem. The trickle of such work now will soon become a steady flow.
[pic. Men of the 2/3 Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment in Crete 1940. Crucial to the defence of Tobruk.]
![...Frank Cavanagh in hospital Sgt 3 LAA. *one of Gordon’s jobs was preparing corpses for post mortem. The trickle of such work now will soon become a steady flow.[pic. Men of the 2/3 Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment in Crete 1940. Crucial to the defence of Tobruk.]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUOn30mUYAA8d1U.jpg "...Frank Cavanagh in hospital Sgt 3 LAA. *one of Gordon’s jobs was preparing corpses for post mortem. The trickle of such work now will soon become a steady flow.[pic. Men of the 2/3 Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment in Crete 1940. Crucial to the defence of Tobruk.]")
*one of Gordon’s jobs was preparing corpses for post mortem. The trickle of such work now will soon become a steady flow.
[pic. Men of the 2/3 Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment in Crete 1940. Crucial to the defence of Tobruk.]
Sunday 30th March 1941
Near Tobruk
Parade of AGH. C.O.’s message from Gen. Burston. Thanks and congratulations. Beer arrived. First for a fortnight. Surreptitious IHO’s leave cancelled. Believe mail with rest of unit at Tobruk. First evacuation by aeroplane 4:20 a.m....
Near Tobruk
Parade of AGH. C.O.’s message from Gen. Burston. Thanks and congratulations. Beer arrived. First for a fortnight. Surreptitious IHO’s leave cancelled. Believe mail with rest of unit at Tobruk. First evacuation by aeroplane 4:20 a.m....
Old man had S.O.L.* 9th Div. and Tommy Div. are here in 60 miles radius of front line.
*slang for bad temper, “shit on liver”.
*slang for bad temper, “shit on liver”.
- - - back in 1941, things are becoming increasingly edgy, chaotic, and grim - - -
Monday 31st March 1941
Near Tobruk
2/2 C.C.S. arrive to take over from us here. Body of thermos victim brought in. Had to be prepared for burial. Head split asunder.
Had buffet supper with chicken and beer. Sent all IHOs away to be interned...
Near Tobruk
2/2 C.C.S. arrive to take over from us here. Body of thermos victim brought in. Had to be prepared for burial. Head split asunder.
Had buffet supper with chicken and beer. Sent all IHOs away to be interned...
Mail here. None for me. Very disappointed about leaving here. Now have 420 patients have had 11 deaths in 3 weeks.
#undersiege #tobruk1941 #besiegeyourself #StayAtHome
#undersiege #tobruk1941 #besiegeyourself #StayAtHome
Tuesday 1st April 1941
Barce, near Tobruk
Daylight saving introduced. Trouble with prisoners of war. Guards turn Breda* on IHOs.
*The Breda modello 30 was the standard issue light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during WWII [I still have not found what ‘IHO’ stands for.]
![Tuesday 1st April 1941Barce, near TobrukDaylight saving introduced. Trouble with prisoners of war. Guards turn Breda* on IHOs.*The Breda modello 30 was the standard issue light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during WWII [I still have not found what ‘IHO’ stands for.]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUfRn4WU0AA_2DZ.jpg "Tuesday 1st April 1941Barce, near TobrukDaylight saving introduced. Trouble with prisoners of war. Guards turn Breda* on IHOs.*The Breda modello 30 was the standard issue light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during WWII [I still have not found what ‘IHO’ stands for.]")
Barce, near Tobruk
Daylight saving introduced. Trouble with prisoners of war. Guards turn Breda* on IHOs.
*The Breda modello 30 was the standard issue light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during WWII [I still have not found what ‘IHO’ stands for.]
Wednesday 2nd April 1941
Barce, near Tobruk
Went to Barce but no trucks available to go to Tobruk. Went back to hospital and spent afternoon with Joe the interpreter. Sent parcel addressed to Al* for Val's birthday.
*Alice, Val's mother
Wrecked Italian vehicles at Barce, 1941
Barce, near Tobruk
Went to Barce but no trucks available to go to Tobruk. Went back to hospital and spent afternoon with Joe the interpreter. Sent parcel addressed to Al* for Val's birthday.
*Alice, Val's mother
Wrecked Italian vehicles at Barce, 1941
Thursday 3rd April 1941
Barce
Left Barce with 20 men for Tobruk. Many narrow escapes in 10 ton diesel lorry with Palestinian driver. Retreating traffic very heavy. Burning vehicles everywhere.
Barce
Left Barce with 20 men for Tobruk. Many narrow escapes in 10 ton diesel lorry with Palestinian driver. Retreating traffic very heavy. Burning vehicles everywhere.
Friday 4th April 1941
Near Tobruk
Awoke to ack ack* fire at 0540. Jerry over and making presence felt. Spent morning getting men onto trucks. Terrific retreat from Benghazi**. Bombed in Derna escarpment. Arrived Tobruk at 1540. Slept night at 15 CCS.
Near Tobruk
Awoke to ack ack* fire at 0540. Jerry over and making presence felt. Spent morning getting men onto trucks. Terrific retreat from Benghazi**. Bombed in Derna escarpment. Arrived Tobruk at 1540. Slept night at 15 CCS.
*fire from the Bofors 40 mm light anti-craft gun.
**decades later Gordon used to refer to this action (on the very rare occasions he spoke about the war at all) as “The Benghazi Stakes”. He was an avowed horse racing devotee.
**decades later Gordon used to refer to this action (on the very rare occasions he spoke about the war at all) as “The Benghazi Stakes”. He was an avowed horse racing devotee.
- - on this day back in 1941, Gordon finally wakes up in Tobruk, is appointed wardmaster for the district, and sets about his grim task. The hospital is crammed with patients, more arriving hourly, and supplies are non-existent - -...
Saturday 5th April 1941
Tobruk
Over 800 patients and still coming in. Wardmaster for whole district. This means about 1500 patients in all. Everyone working flat out.
Alan* gone to beach site.
Nine M.E.’s machine gun troops at El Agheila.
2/2 C.C.S. also retreating...
Tobruk
Over 800 patients and still coming in. Wardmaster for whole district. This means about 1500 patients in all. Everyone working flat out.
Alan* gone to beach site.
Nine M.E.’s machine gun troops at El Agheila.
2/2 C.C.S. also retreating...
Nurses here 63 in all doing great job.
*Alan is Gordon’s younger brother. A medical orderly, they served together through much of the war.
[The 2/4th Australian General Hospital, Tobruk, in April 1941.]
![Nurses here 63 in all doing great job.*Alan is Gordon’s younger brother. A medical orderly, they served together through much of the war.[The 2/4th Australian General Hospital, Tobruk, in April 1941.]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUztEUNUcAA0Ps2.jpg "Nurses here 63 in all doing great job.*Alan is Gordon’s younger brother. A medical orderly, they served together through much of the war.[The 2/4th Australian General Hospital, Tobruk, in April 1941.]")
*Alan is Gordon’s younger brother. A medical orderly, they served together through much of the war.
[The 2/4th Australian General Hospital, Tobruk, in April 1941.]
Sunday 6th April 1941
Tobruk
Hospital ship due tomorrow.
Evacuating 450 patients. Up all night last night. Air raids galore.
Letter from Val. Hardly time to read it. I love her terribly...
Tobruk
Hospital ship due tomorrow.
Evacuating 450 patients. Up all night last night. Air raids galore.
Letter from Val. Hardly time to read it. I love her terribly...
...Ticked Tommy officer off after false alarm in ambulance. Nurses are off again. German patrol 20 km up Derna Road the cause.
[[[ At this point in the thread, it is worth providing some broader backdrop. Though Gordon's diary entries remain impressively brief, this is despite the siege proper beginning soon, and a lot more enemy action causing conditions in Tobruk to deteriorate dramatically...
Lt. Gen. Rommel's "Afrika Korps" had been rolling eastward from Tripoli since March 24th with orders to reclaim the Cyrenaica region. They reclaimed every town held by Allied forces: Benghazi, Barce, Derna. Rommel hounded the retreating Allies; his advance seemed unstoppable.
Rommel's units tore across North Africa. Their eventual target was Egypt and the Suez Canal but Rommel would not make it that far without resupply and for that he needed a deep water harbour: Tobruk has one of the finest in the Mediterranean.
map from: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2015/12/02/debacle-in-the-desert-the-siege-of-tobruk/
map from: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2015/12/02/debacle-in-the-desert-the-siege-of-tobruk/
This was the only such port in Cyrenaica east of Benghazi and without it Rommel's forces were effectively tethered.
These are the critical underpinnings of The Rats' "No Surrender" motto (seen below on their crest at the Rats of Tobruk Memorial, Mackay, QLD.)
These are the critical underpinnings of The Rats' "No Surrender" motto (seen below on their crest at the Rats of Tobruk Memorial, Mackay, QLD.)
Middle Eastern Commander-in-Chief General Sir Archibald Wavell was unambiguous, telling his officers: "Tobruk must be held." ... "There is nothing between you and Cairo."
Pic. Wavell (right) with Lt. Gen. Richard O'Connor in N. Africa during the assault on Bardia, Jan 1941.
Pic. Wavell (right) with Lt. Gen. Richard O'Connor in N. Africa during the assault on Bardia, Jan 1941.
So the stage is set for the siege proper to begin.
Things are already pretty bad for those in Tobruk. Little do they know how much worse things are about to get.
We rejoin Gordon's 1941 diary where he currently has more immediate concerns demanding his full attention...]]]
Things are already pretty bad for those in Tobruk. Little do they know how much worse things are about to get.
We rejoin Gordon's 1941 diary where he currently has more immediate concerns demanding his full attention...]]]
Monday 7th April 1941
Tobruk
Ship not arrived yet. Eventually arrived at 1100.
Evacuated 124 stretchers and 66 sitting patients.
Met skipper of K.O.M. I was O.C. evacuation. C.O. very pleased.
One raid this morning. Tobruk is in ruins.
6 operations in the theatre tonight...
Tobruk
Ship not arrived yet. Eventually arrived at 1100.
Evacuated 124 stretchers and 66 sitting patients.
Met skipper of K.O.M. I was O.C. evacuation. C.O. very pleased.
One raid this morning. Tobruk is in ruins.
6 operations in the theatre tonight...
...Lovely letter from my darling.
100 days out from Melbourne.
Seems like years.
100 days out from Melbourne.
Seems like years.
Tuesday 8th April 1941
Tobruk
Completed ship evacuation early morning. Many raids today. Chat with Flight Lieutenant Perren. Has the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Many rumours about our danger.
Feel very nervy with lack of sleep.
Evacuated 100 patients to beach site...
Tobruk
Completed ship evacuation early morning. Many raids today. Chat with Flight Lieutenant Perren. Has the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Many rumours about our danger.
Feel very nervy with lack of sleep.
Evacuated 100 patients to beach site...
...Wish I could settle down and write to Val. Terrific hours still, over 1000 patients still.
Wednesday 9th April 1941
Tobruk
Raids in early morning.
Cheeky Jerry bomber. Left for our beach site. Now 430 patients at beach. Marvellous display of ack ack in morning. Lasted 2 hours. Jerry dropped a dozen eggs all around us...
Tobruk
Raids in early morning.
Cheeky Jerry bomber. Left for our beach site. Now 430 patients at beach. Marvellous display of ack ack in morning. Lasted 2 hours. Jerry dropped a dozen eggs all around us...
Screaming bombs. Several exploded front and back gate of hospital.
Tenting with Norman Cowan.
Tenting with Norman Cowan.
Thursday 10th April 1941
Tobruk
Moved out to beach site to take charge under Col Cooper.
450 patients in tents. Ack ack fire in evening, shrapnel coming through tents. Heavy artillery fire in distance...
Tobruk
Moved out to beach site to take charge under Col Cooper.
450 patients in tents. Ack ack fire in evening, shrapnel coming through tents. Heavy artillery fire in distance...
...Story of escape from prison at Barce by chap from 3rd engineers.
Wonderful display of tracer* bullets.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracer_ammunition
Pic. Tobruk's anti-aircraft guns welcome the Luftwaffe
Wonderful display of tracer* bullets.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracer_ammunition
Pic. Tobruk's anti-aircraft guns welcome the Luftwaffe
Friday 11th April 1941 Good Friday
Tobruk
Disturbed early. That rotten Jerry bastard. Bombed us heavily. Both hospitals.
Poor old Zach, Major Chambers, Norm Foster and Mick Kanneman got theirs. I lost 8 patients out here and God knows how many in Tobruk*...
Tobruk
Disturbed early. That rotten Jerry bastard. Bombed us heavily. Both hospitals.
Poor old Zach, Major Chambers, Norm Foster and Mick Kanneman got theirs. I lost 8 patients out here and God knows how many in Tobruk*...
...Terribly lucky escape myself. Tin hat dented. Am very shaken and nervy. Red Cross means nothing to the bastard. Alan got scratch on arm. Raids all night. Col and I slept in dugout. He is wonderful.
*Gordon is on the beach at Tobruk, not at the hospital.
*Gordon is on the beach at Tobruk, not at the hospital.
[[The early symptoms of shell-shock are beginning to show. What Gordon cannot know is that these raids are merely a taste. Part of Rommel's early recon, testing the perimeter defences of Tobruk, before the Afrika Korps' full-force drive on Tobruk in a few days.]]
[[The dented tin hat can be seen in this pic of Gordon (as a SGT on the left) with his mates. The helmet was passed on to me as a kid and often used in childhood dress-ups. He'd sometimes mention the very large dent, "...wasn't for that helmet, neither of us would be here."]]
![[[The dented tin hat can be seen in this pic of Gordon (as a SGT on the left) with his mates. The helmet was passed on to me as a kid and often used in childhood dress-ups. He'd sometimes mention the very large dent, "...wasn't for that helmet, neither of us would be here."]]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVU9HpPUYAAvR_9.jpg "[[The dented tin hat can be seen in this pic of Gordon (as a SGT on the left) with his mates. The helmet was passed on to me as a kid and often used in childhood dress-ups. He'd sometimes mention the very large dent, \"...wasn't for that helmet, neither of us would be here.\"]]")
Saturday 12th April 1941
Tobruk
Air raids galore and more bombs on us. No casualties. Slit trenches dug now.
Junkers plane down 100 yards from our tents. Got 2 of the bastards. Prisoners I mean, glad they don't know at home what this is like...
Tobruk
Air raids galore and more bombs on us. No casualties. Slit trenches dug now.
Junkers plane down 100 yards from our tents. Got 2 of the bastards. Prisoners I mean, glad they don't know at home what this is like...
Best news so far for days. Two lovely letters from Val. I will sleep in my trench and read them tonight. Still very nervy. 21 killed in air raid yesterday.
Sunday 13th April 1941 (Easter Sunday)
God it’s Easter Sunday. Wonder where my darling is. Glad she knows not where I am. Still living, eating and sleeping in trenches.
Evacuated 212 patients from here today. Am still very groggy from effects of bombing...
God it’s Easter Sunday. Wonder where my darling is. Glad she knows not where I am. Still living, eating and sleeping in trenches.
Evacuated 212 patients from here today. Am still very groggy from effects of bombing...
...Frightened to leave precinct of air raid shelter.
Patients are laying in caves everywhere. Medical records gone. God it’s awful!
Patients are laying in caves everywhere. Medical records gone. God it’s awful!
[[[[Rommel's major assault on Tobruk began in the early hours of Easter Monday. He even wrote to his wife: "Dear Lu, today may well see the end of the Battle of Tobruk."
He underestimated the tenacity and resourcefulness of Australian and NZ diggers in a defensive position.]]]
He underestimated the tenacity and resourcefulness of Australian and NZ diggers in a defensive position.]]]
[[[The leader of the Australian division was Maj. Gen. Leslie Morshead. That same day he told his staff: "There'll be no Dunkirk here. If we should have to get out, we shall fight our way out. There is to be no surrender and no retreat.]]]
[[Morshead laid an ingenious trap for Rommel's forces. He allowed panzers to penetrate a full 2 miles through the southern perimeter. As German infantry followed the tanks, the Australians emerged from hidden positions and hosed them with murderous fire from the rear.]]
[[Further ahead, Rommel's tanks were trapped under heavy artillery fire from both sides at a range of just 600 yards. 16 of 38 panzers were destroyed. The remainder withdrew. For the rest of the day the garrison suffered a terrible aerial bombardment.]]
[[This action became known as 'The Easter Battle'. The Australian 2/17th Battalion was involved in particularly brutal hand-to-hand and bayonet fighting.]]
[[CPL John (Jack) Edmondson became the first Australian awarded the VC in WWII. Sadly, it was posthumous; he died of his wounds and is buried in Tobruk. The diggers' boozer I used to drink in at ARTC Kapooka is named in his honour (Jack was born in Wagga Wagga.) ]]
![[[CPL John (Jack) Edmondson became the first Australian awarded the VC in WWII. Sadly, it was posthumous; he died of his wounds and is buried in Tobruk. The diggers' boozer I used to drink in at ARTC Kapooka is named in his honour (Jack was born in Wagga Wagga.) ]]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVjDLKGUMAEZ4P6.jpg "[[CPL John (Jack) Edmondson became the first Australian awarded the VC in WWII. Sadly, it was posthumous; he died of his wounds and is buried in Tobruk. The diggers' boozer I used to drink in at ARTC Kapooka is named in his honour (Jack was born in Wagga Wagga.) ]]")
Monday 14th April 1941 (Easter Monday)
Tobruk
Another bomb on Ward 7 in Tobruk. No casualties. Heavy raid here but he was astray. Prisoners say it is deliberate because we mombed their hospitals in France.
Heavy artillery fire all day...
Tobruk
Another bomb on Ward 7 in Tobruk. No casualties. Heavy raid here but he was astray. Prisoners say it is deliberate because we mombed their hospitals in France.
Heavy artillery fire all day...
...Jerry has surrounded us about 8 miles on all sides. Hospital ship Vita bombed but no casualties.
100 cases from ship in harbour.
RAF doing great job with Hurricanes.
100 cases from ship in harbour.
RAF doing great job with Hurricanes.
Tuesday 15th April 1941
Tobruk
40 bodies in morgue; Tommies and Australians. Outlook much brighter. Heavy raid on docks this morning. Little damage. 100 German wounded in our hospital.
Have been in bed all day with dysentery. Feel terribly weak and cold...
Tobruk
40 bodies in morgue; Tommies and Australians. Outlook much brighter. Heavy raid on docks this morning. Little damage. 100 German wounded in our hospital.
Have been in bed all day with dysentery. Feel terribly weak and cold...
...This dugout is very safe and Tex Hill is my orderly and batman. Italian camp dive-bombed by Jerry. He is crazy alright. Evidence of doping in captured pilots.
Wednesday 16th of April 1941
Tobruk
Things have quietened down considerably. No raid for 12 hours. Very quiet day only 2 raids. Snake found in dugout. Eight ships sunk by Malta Fleet.
200 Ities throw up hands. Artillery still very close. Dysentery much better...
Tobruk
Things have quietened down considerably. No raid for 12 hours. Very quiet day only 2 raids. Snake found in dugout. Eight ships sunk by Malta Fleet.
200 Ities throw up hands. Artillery still very close. Dysentery much better...
...Issued with R.C. brassard.
May be taken prisoner.
First wash for five days. Our planes everywhere. Tex is amusing.
May be taken prisoner.
First wash for five days. Our planes everywhere. Tex is amusing.
Thursday 17th April 1941
Tobruk
Big naval battle off here today. More air raids on Tobruk but left us alone. Air activity surprisingly quiet. Probably lull before the storm.
Val on mind always these days specially in air raids.
Terrific raid just now...
Tobruk
Big naval battle off here today. More air raids on Tobruk but left us alone. Air activity surprisingly quiet. Probably lull before the storm.
Val on mind always these days specially in air raids.
Terrific raid just now...
...It's just bloody murder.
Feel just about all in with nervous strain. Everyone is the same.
Situation is bright according to Col Cook (area commander).
Feel just about all in with nervous strain. Everyone is the same.
Situation is bright according to Col Cook (area commander).
Friday 18th April 1941
Tobruk
Terrific raid at 0500. Only one casualty. Rest all in dugouts escaped. Bad attack of nerves. Fighting hard against them. Cannot hold out much longer.
Tex Hill, re. Luke, Flanagan, and Herbert’s. “To hell with expense”...
Tobruk
Terrific raid at 0500. Only one casualty. Rest all in dugouts escaped. Bad attack of nerves. Fighting hard against them. Cannot hold out much longer.
Tex Hill, re. Luke, Flanagan, and Herbert’s. “To hell with expense”...
Welcome letter from Al. Very homesick and lovesick. Three more bombs dropped between our tents. Believe our 2 tanks arrived yesterday.
Saturday 19th April 1941
Tobruk
These bloody bombs. Three hour raid this morning. Luck’s a fortune. Nobody hurt at either hospital. God it’s frightening to hear the scream. 30 planes just dive-bombed and machine-gunned us. 20 casualties. Unit ok...
Tobruk
These bloody bombs. Three hour raid this morning. Luck’s a fortune. Nobody hurt at either hospital. God it’s frightening to hear the scream. 30 planes just dive-bombed and machine-gunned us. 20 casualties. Unit ok...
Maj. Murphy just marked me for base. Here’s hoping. Flack got four of them. Suffering agony with nerves of bombing. Jerry now shelling harbour. Shells flying overhead pretty harmless.
Sunday 20th April 1941
Tobruk
Fairly quiet last night. Marvellous letter from Dah this morning. Helps a lot but Christ these nerves are awful. Handed over gun to RSM. Tommies would have got it sooner or later...
Tobruk
Fairly quiet last night. Marvellous letter from Dah this morning. Helps a lot but Christ these nerves are awful. Handed over gun to RSM. Tommies would have got it sooner or later...
...Raining today. Reinforcements arrive, tanks and cruisers. Surprisingly little air activity due to Fuhrer's birthday. Feeling pretty lousy today.
Monday 21st April 1941
Tobruk
Five ships arrive in docks this morning. Hospital full of Jerry and Itie wounded. Ratio 9 to 1. Heavily machine-gunned in afternoon. Only one man hit, not seriously. Ceiling falls in on Col Saxby. 20 x 2500 lb. bombs dropped. Made immense craters..
Tobruk
Five ships arrive in docks this morning. Hospital full of Jerry and Itie wounded. Ratio 9 to 1. Heavily machine-gunned in afternoon. Only one man hit, not seriously. Ceiling falls in on Col Saxby. 20 x 2500 lb. bombs dropped. Made immense craters..
...Haw-Haw will wipe Tobruk out tonight. Oh yeah?
Alan is a wizard. (Nerves). All ships sent out tonight. Vita being towed to Alexandria. Blamey's guards in front line.
Alan is a wizard. (Nerves). All ships sent out tonight. Vita being towed to Alexandria. Blamey's guards in front line.
Tuesday 22nd April 1941
Tobruk
Quiet night last night. Only two alarms. No action.
Still in dugout feeling very lousy. Tummy trouble. Patient shot last night. He lit cigarette in open. Letter 30 arrived from Dah. Gosh it's a gem.
1000 Italian prisoners taken...
Tobruk
Quiet night last night. Only two alarms. No action.
Still in dugout feeling very lousy. Tummy trouble. Patient shot last night. He lit cigarette in open. Letter 30 arrived from Dah. Gosh it's a gem.
1000 Italian prisoners taken...
...A wonderful ack-ack barrage here now. Bombers got three ships in dock yesterday. I think it's all as good as over though now. Believe Germans retreated.
Wednesday 23rd April 1941
Tobruk
Fairly quiet night. Plenty of planes about but only one decent raid. Got a petrol dump. Feeling much better. Heavy raid in afternoon. Everyone still building tank holes.
Italian prisoners being made use of. All say Germans “no good”...
Tobruk
Fairly quiet night. Plenty of planes about but only one decent raid. Got a petrol dump. Feeling much better. Heavy raid in afternoon. Everyone still building tank holes.
Italian prisoners being made use of. All say Germans “no good”...
...They got an oil dump today. Only small one. Great news from Greece. Believe 100,000 Huns killed*. Posted letter to Dah.
*Clearly, a wildly inaccurate rumour had reached the besieged Rats. In fact, on 23rd April, Hitler forced Greece to sign an armistice with Italy & achieved total victory in Greece with the loss of thousands of Allied troops.
Thursday 24th April 1941
Tobruk
All quiet until 3 a.m. Heavy fire from then on. Jerry bails out. Great sight. Marvellous sunny weather. Red crosses being painted everywhere.
Great target for him.
Plenty dogfights these days. My nerves much better...
Tobruk
All quiet until 3 a.m. Heavy fire from then on. Jerry bails out. Great sight. Marvellous sunny weather. Red crosses being painted everywhere.
Great target for him.
Plenty dogfights these days. My nerves much better...
Tin of beer (McLean's) this afternoon. Busy cleaning theatre instruments today. More heavy raids in evening. Parachutist shot on way down.
Friday 25th April 1941
Tobruk
Awakened at 6:10 a.m. by the siren. Jerry bastards everywhere.
Our Hurricanes up and not much damage done. Minesweepers being bombed. Likelihood of us becoming prisoners. The front now only 5 miles on three sides of us...
Tobruk
Awakened at 6:10 a.m. by the siren. Jerry bastards everywhere.
Our Hurricanes up and not much damage done. Minesweepers being bombed. Likelihood of us becoming prisoners. The front now only 5 miles on three sides of us...
...Battle noise gives terrific headache. Sing-song in blacked-out trench with Hans Meyer, German lad with RASC. He is very interesting. Two marvellous epistles from Val. My inspiration!
Saturday 26th April 1941
Tobruk
Marvellous night. I just died. No dope either. Awakened at 0800 by Jerry. Hope Val keeps her date today. Terrific sandstorm today. Sorting and cleaning Italian instruments with Col Cooper. Jerry took photos yesterday. Tex and enlargements...
Tobruk
Marvellous night. I just died. No dope either. Awakened at 0800 by Jerry. Hope Val keeps her date today. Terrific sandstorm today. Sorting and cleaning Italian instruments with Col Cooper. Jerry took photos yesterday. Tex and enlargements...
Another 500 being evacuated on Devonshire today. Lucky I was not one of them. Daylight now until 2100. Read Val's letters and snaps. Great pastime. Sent cable to mother.
Sunday 27th April 1941
Tobruk
Jim Best gets cable from Val. Highly delighted. Libyans are fair cows for work. They sit down and shovel. Dust dying down and air raids coming on again. Lunch of baked beans, peaches and cream. Very nice too. Devonshire away okay...
Tobruk
Jim Best gets cable from Val. Highly delighted. Libyans are fair cows for work. They sit down and shovel. Dust dying down and air raids coming on again. Lunch of baked beans, peaches and cream. Very nice too. Devonshire away okay...
...Raiding parties in Bardia and Derna. Convoy of 100 trucks through from Mersa Matruh. Heavy raid this afternoon. Cocoa on primus for tea. Heavy artillery and Breda fire. Army stores and canteens are a racket.
[[Just read this by @tonyowright about this recent release from @Aus_Scholarly which may be of interest to others following this thread: https://www.smh.com.au/national/how-a-rat-s-son-pieced-together-two-stories-of-tobruk-20200422-p54mbj.html ]]
