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Tobruk

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Tobruk

By: Peter FitzSimons
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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About this listen

In the early days of April 1941, the 14,000 Australian forces garrisoned in the Libyan town of Tobruk were told to expect reinforcements and supplies within eight weeks... Eight months later these heroic, gallant, determined 'Rats of Tobruk' were rescued by the British Navy having held the fort against the might of Rommel's never-before defeated Afrika Corps. Like Gallipoli and Kokoda, the siege of Tobruk is an iconic battle in Australia's military history. Under ceaseless attack from Rommel's men, the Australian defence held strong.

In Tobruk, Peter FitzSimons relates the personal histories and stories not only of the men who defended the garrison against the German onslaught but of the Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, and the powers back in both Berlin and Britain.

©2006 Peter FitzSimons. (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing Military World War Royal Navy Imperialism Royalty Middle Ages Holocaust Africa Interwar Period

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Critic reviews

"A thorough, highly-readable distillation of the overlooked Battle of Tobruk." (The Age)
"Gripping stuff." (The Sydney Morning Herald)
"FitzSimons presents the human face of those involved in the long, drawn out defence of Tobruk. An interesting and informative read." (aussiereviews.com)
"Tobruk comes to life in true FitzSimons style, evoking feelings and emotions of that time as well as the facts." (Brisbane News)
"Humphrey Bower succeeds expertly. His Australian accent and his comfort with the informal dialogue capture the tone of the narrative, and his German is completely convincing. It is difficult to imagine a narrator more ideally suited to a text." (AudioFile Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
An excellent book. The story jumps about a bit - but the inclusion of stories about individual soldiers brings it to life. A torrid time for so many Brave men. My father served in North Africa at El Alamein and spoke very respectfully of the Aussie soldiers.

Definitely worth a listen (or read)

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Absolutely superb. 23 hours long means no stone is left unturned with this, everything is covered in detail from the world Political situation to the action on the frontline. But it never gets boring with plenty of drama and a healthy dose of humour. The Aussie bloke reading it does it good job too.

Absolutely superb.

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If you could sum up Tobruk in three words, what would they be?

Long live Rats

What did you like best about this story?

The story behind the story, the history, the players, the men, the families.

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

oh yes

Any additional comments?

Well worth the wait

All the info I did not know about Tobruk

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I don't normally write reviews, however this is up there with Jackson's 'storm of war', Evans 'Third Reich' series, and Lord's 'Miracle of Dunkirk'. It's an excellent book.

Tobruk

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One of the most striking statements in this book concerns the German’s asking Australians what they are doing in North Africa. At a time when Japan was threatening Australia and the war was going badly in the Pacific a large army of Australians where fighting under the British in the desert campaign. Their contribution was vital and their reputation was second to none. This is their story and I would not hesitate to recommend it. It is packed with detail from the soldiers on the ground to the Australian PM travelling to Britain to plead with Churchill to allow Australians to command Australians and to allow troops home to defend their homeland. It is a stark reminder of the power of the Empire that South Africans, New Zealanders and Indians where also there. While their existence and contribution is largely unknown in the UK, it is engrained into the memories of their ancestors as much as the Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain are in the UK. A very well written and narrated story.

Australians in North Africa

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