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Summary: Film about Australian troops during the first Tobruk siege.
Description: The film opens with a quotation from Chester Wilmott attributing the Australian's high morale to "Mateship" rather than tradition, nationalism or social revolution. The siege has lasted months but Australian initiative and desire to fight has overcome apparently insuperable odds. Night patrols require "split-second initiative" for which the Australians are famous. Domestic life of imperturbable Australian troops. Direction of artillery fire. Despite ceaseless fighting, "Nothing can shake their casualness". Grave of Corporal J E Edmondson, posthumous VC, and award ceremony in Australia. Axis wrecks in Tobruk harbour - use of ship's ventilators in Australian dug-outs. Behind the defence is the planning of an experienced staff led by General Morshead. Tank crews prepare to counter an enemy concentration. The tanks are maintained by expert crews - wrecks are hoarded for parts to keep others running. A German air-raid - rarely does the bombing produce significant casualties. A derelict truck placed as a decoy receives a direct hit. Allied fighter aircraft cannot protect Tobruk but the enemy learns respect for the AA defence. Wrecked German aircraft. The world is indebted to these soldiers. "Theirs is a spirit which will survive, Theirs an achievement for all history to see".