Australians dig in at TobrukON this day in 1941, the Siege of Tobruk began. Over the next 242 days, Australian, British, Indian and Polish troops, supported by Australian and British Navy ships defended the Fortress of Tobruk against German and Italian forces. Crucial to the success of the defence was the support from the Tobruk Ferry, consisting in part of Australian destroyers.
In the face of threats from air, surface and submarine attack, eight RAN destroyers made almost 140 voyages to Tobruk, providing gunfire support, delivering stores, food and ammunition and evacuating the wounded. HMAS Vendetta made over 30 individual supply runs.
