The Siege of Tobruk: The 9th Australian Division - part 2

[@stevekazenwadel5423]

Wangaratta Victoria Australia commemorates the 2/24th battalion (Wangaratta's own) with a memorial at the Wangaratta cemetery and plaques and a mural at the Wangaratta showgrounds, plus a scholarship at the local High school. My Grandfather served in the 2/23rd battalion (Albury's own), was wounded at Tobruk and invalided back to Australia.

[@orlandofurioso7958]

On the Australian Department of Veteran Affairs' channel, yesterday they published Vernon Hansen's telling of some of his experiences in North Africa, his return to Australia and then fighting in the jungles. He preferred the desert!

[@mjinoz1677]

Great stuff on a topic I am deeply interested in. I think there’s so much to unpack from the tactical to strategic levels with Tobruk. I do wonder about the role (if any) Enigma played insofar as Rommel ignored his orders and went on the offensive. Fascinating to know what the intelligence picture was, though the diversion of effort to Greece clearly meant that the WDF was in a desperate situation in early 1941 regardless.

[@davidlavigne207]

From what I've gathered watching both parts now, is that what the 9th Australian Division leadership and enlisted ranks did was to take the experience of the senior officers, who had learned the lessons of trench/siege warfare, and combined them with the youthful sense of independent thinking of the typical Aussie lad. They were very well able to think outside the box, which when combined with the natural aggressive nature of the "Bushman" attitude of the average Aussie, were able to stand up to the combined arms tactics of the German army. Granted, Rommel's forces were at the limit of their tether and supply lines, but the 9th used their "Aussie" ingenuity to overcome the "Prussian" prowess. It was refreshing to see the mention in part 1 about combat mental fatigue. Craig also put the siege into the wider perspective of the enormous pressure that the allies were facing on so many fronts. Forgive my rambling, but this was very informative and fascinating.

[@georgecooksey8216]

Excellent presentation and discussion. Thank you Paul and Craig.

[@DDB168]

Great show, I managed to see most of this live (even the intermission!).

[@MagiciansApprentice1]

Woody I had the same internet outrage in Essex. A great presentation with wonderful diagrams, maps and photographs.

[@KevinJones-yh2jb]

Another great presentation ( parts 1 and 2 ),by Craig, thank you so much for enlightening me on the Australian troops in Tobruk. Such a harrowing campaign, a very enthralling and knowledgeable presentation. Thank you Craig and Woody, WW2TV always at its best

[@madcat3525]

Excellent Presentation! I recommend this video to anyone interested in Tobruk.

[@adambrooker5649]

Excellent as always

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Another great episode

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

It seems that defensive belts flanked by artillery, anti tank guns etc were key to stopping the Germans rather than advancing out and fighting the Germans in open terrain where their mobile armoured divisions were a lot more dangerous.

[@deanmurphy5735]

Excellent show Woody and Craig. Woody have you ever done a show on Lord Haw Haw?

[@WW2TV]

No we haven't

[@philmcraig]

@@WW2TV That would be great

[@nickcory360]

I don't seem to be getting any notifications about these livestreams any more. Is anyone else having this problem?

[@WW2TV]

It is a problem across KZbin. Make sure you have notifications on, because people do report issues

[@angloaust1575]

While they were defending british interests in the middle east the crafty japanese were Gearing for war Even after the invasion of manchuria in 1937 the british French and dutch werent unduly concerned even Churchill.who in 1941 sent Valuable tanks and aircraft To russia said the japanese Wouldnt dare attack!