Tobruk
Subtitle: the birth of a legend
By: Frank Harrison.
Edition: Cassell Military Paperbacks ed.
Publisher: Cassell
Published: 2003
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 352
Subjects: Harrison, Frank.; Great Britain. Army. Division, 70th.; Australia. Australian Army. Australian Division, 9th -- History.; Tobruk, Battles of, Tobruk, Libya, 1941-1942.; Tobruk, Battles of, Tobruk, Libya, 1941-1942 -- Personal narratives, British.; World War, 1939-1945 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain.; Soldiers -- Great Britain -- Biography.
Genres: Personal narratives, British.; Biography.
Description: The siege of Tobruk in 1941 was the first time the British army succeeded in defeating a German army operation in World War II. Despite all the ingenuity of Erwin Rommel, the 'Desert Fox', and the bravery of his Afrika Korps, the outnumbered and outgunned British garrison held the port until a relief mission, 'Operation Battleaxe', drove back the German and Italian forces.

It was during this epic siege that 'Lord Haw Haw', the German propaganda broadcaster, coined the phrase 'Desert Rats'. He intended it as an insult, but the soldiers at Tobruk took a perverse pride in the name which became the nickname of the 8th Army in general and the 7th Armoured division in particular.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 342-344) and index.
Originally published: London: Arms & Armour, 1996.