Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 2, North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, Siege of Tobruk, 1942

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Overview

Siege of Tobruk display including a WS 208 Radio, Surrender leaflet and Medal Group of Petty Officer Osbourne Guy Herbert, RAN.. After service in the North Atlantic, Petty Officer Herbert served on ships which supported the 6th Division in Greece and Crete and the 9th Division in Tobruk as part of the "Scrap Iron Flotilla" operating the "Tobruk Ferry Service".

Historical information

The Allied Forces in Tobruk were faced with the issue getting supplies, the provision of reinforcements and the evacuation of the injured. The answer came from the seaward side of Tobruk, which had not been surrounded by Axis forces and could be used to resupply Tobruk. Thus began the Tobruk Ferry Service.
On many occasions, Stuart, Waterhen, Vampire, Voyager and Vendetta, along with numerous Allied ships, made the journey from Alexandria and Mersa Matruh to Tobruk at night, laden with ammunition, medical supplies and food. They would race along the coastline wary of bombers, mines and enemy ships. When they reached their goal of Tobruk, the dangers did not cease, for the dangers that they encountered at sea were just as great in the harbour of Tobruk. While the ships docked at Tobruk, supplies were swiftly removed from the ships and replaced with wounded soldiers, before they headed back to Alexandria.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-834

Links to additional resources

Scrap Iron Flotilla

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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