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10 April in military history: Siege of Tobruk begins, 1941

Military history · 10 April · World War II, North AfricaFull calendar

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In a ruined stone building in besieged Tobruk, 1941, a British officer in a peaked cap points with a long stick at a sand table model while officers in berets, caps and shorts watch
A British official photograph captioned "The second battle of Libya. Before zero hour": the brigadier commanding tank units in Tobruk instructs tank commanders on a sand table. Public domain. British official photograph No. BO 773, Library of Congress (LC-USZ62-70810).
Quick answer

On 10 April 1941, German and Italian forces under Erwin Rommel reached Tobruk, Libya, and the first shots were exchanged on its perimeter with a garrison built around the 9th Australian Division. By the next day the port was surrounded, and the siege lasted until December. On 10 April 1814, Wellington attacked Soult's position at Toulouse.

The Siege of Tobruk, 1941: the Polish Rats of Tobruk

10 April to 10 December 1941 · 85 years ago

In April 1941 Rommel's German and Italian forces drove the British back across Libya, but the port of Tobruk held out, defended at first mainly by the 9th Australian Division under Major General Leslie Morshead. For months it was supplied only by sea, under constant air attack.

Read the full story of The Siege of Tobruk, 1941: the Polish Rats of Tobruk ›

Battle of Mollwitz, 1741: Frederick the Great's first battle

10 April 1741 · 285 years ago

At Mollwitz in Silesia, the Prussian army of the young Frederick II fought the Austrians under Wilhelm von Neipperg in the First Silesian War. Frederick left the field during the battle, yet his army won, strengthening his hold on newly conquered Silesia.

Read the full story of Battle of Mollwitz, 1741: Frederick the Great's first battle ›

Frequently asked questions

When did the siege of Tobruk begin?

According to the Australian official history and the Australian War Memorial, the first fighting on the perimeter came on 10 April 1941. The Australian and British official histories and Wavell's despatch date the encirclement to 11 April, while the Australian War Memorial's Wartime article counts the siege's 242 days from 10 April.

Who defended Tobruk?

At first mainly the 9th Australian Division and the 7th Division's 18th Brigade, supported by British artillery and an Indian regiment. From August most Australians were relieved by sea, and the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade took the 18th Brigade's place.

Why were they called the Rats of Tobruk?

German propaganda broadcasts described the besieged men as rats, and they adopted the name with defiant pride.

When did the siege end?

In December 1941, during Operation Crusader. The Memorial's Wartime article gives 7 December, when Rommel abandoned the siege; the Memorial's encyclopedia and Rafał Dyrcz give 10 December.

What happened at Toulouse on 10 April 1814?

Wellington's army attacked Marshal Soult's fortified position covering Toulouse and took the heights; Soult left the city during the night of 11 to 12 April.

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