Description: The Roman heritage in North Africa. Mussolini, aspiring to be "Protector of Islam", attempts to establish a new African empire. Importance of Tobruk. British capture of the city. Africa Korps advance - one area that had to be held was Tobruk, "shortly to become the symbol of our determination to strike a second blow". Aggressive defence - nightly raids destroy German equipment. Disposition of defensive forces. Rommel's attempts to break through. Tobruk harbour - the "back door" by which the Navy supplies the garrison. Navigation complicated by Axis wrecks - souvenirs of previous RAF raids. The "Tobruk Truth" newspaper. German air-raids. Navy changes and reinforces the garrison. General Sikorski visits Polish troops. Lend-lease equipment and troop reinforcements create new 8th Army. Auchinleck's plan of attack. Second advance into Libya and the sortie of the Tobruk garrison. Capture of German strongpoints around Tobruk. Capture of the strategically important El Dude ridge. "The holding of El Dude ridge for nine vital days was probably the Men of Tobruk's greatest achievement". Link-up with advancing 8th Army raises the siege.
Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Army Film Unit (Production company)
Imperial Forces (Production company)
British Newsreel Association (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:Mussolini, Benito Amilcare Andrea (person)
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1535 ft; Running time: 17 mins
