"The Second World War 1939 - 1945- North Africa 1940 - 1943" Australian troops occupy a front line position at Tobruk. Between April and December 1941 the Tobruk garrison, comprising Australian, Polish and British troops, was besieged by Rommel's forces. It fell to the Germans after the battle of Gazala on 21 June 1942 but was recaptured five months later.