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MINISTER SNOWDONS 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIEGE OF TOBRUK COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS
Good morning distinguished guests, friends.
Seventy years ago a group of tenacious young men began a campaign that raged back and forth across the unforgiving, shifting sands of the North African desert.
These were normal men who achieved greatness through their deeds as soldiers.
They were volunteers without dreams of glory...
... yet believed selflessly in what they were fighting for.
They looked out for and cared for one another...
... they fought with valour and distinction.
These men were Australians, Poles, Czechoslovakians and English.
Together their fortitude, ability and humility and simply their guts became the stuff of legend.
Today we come together to commemorate the 70th anniversary of their story, of their sacrifice at the Siege of Tobruk.
And to honour these Rats of Tobruk.
Like Gallipoli, Tobruk is a name that stands out in the chronicles of Australian wartime history.
In 1941, during some of the darkest days of the Second World War, a force of around 14,000 Australians with support from British, Indian, Czechoslovakian and Polish troops, held off the might of the German and Italian armies.
The siege occurred at a place which has become another of the important elements of our national story, the North African port town of Tobruk.
Tobruk was a strategic linchpin for the Allies in North Africa - it was vital for the Allies' defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal.
Holding Tobruk would force the enemy to bring most of their supplies overland from Tripoli, across 1500 kilometres of desert.
Allied control of Tobruk also meant that the Germans and Italians would have to divert troops from their advance towards Egypt.
At the "Easter Battle" in April 1941, Australian troops, with British artillery support, dealt the Axis forces their first defeat on land in the Second World War, ending their first attempt to capture the garrison.
Tobruk was becoming a thorn in the side of the German Army, as the defenders continued to deny them possession of the area.
Australian forces, formed the greater part of the garrison of Tobruk from April until October 1941, with some units remaining until December.
Together with British, Indian, Polish and Czech troops they denied the Germans the vital port.
They confounded and repulsed the might of General Rommel and his Afrika corps and their panzas.
For as long as the Axis forces were unable to take Tobruk, they were unable to effectively supply their armies.
The longer Tobruk could be held, the greater the chance of eventual victory for the Allies.
Before Tobruk, the German blitzkrieg had never been defeated.
Halting the advance of Rommel's forces was significant...
... not only for the Allied campaign in Tobruk and the Middle East...
... but also for the morale of the Allies across Europe.
Around 800 Australian soldiers lost their lives during the siege with many more wounded.
But as Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead said later:
"Had their been no Tobruk, we would have lost Egypt and would eventually have been driven from the Middle East.
Many of the troops fighting in Tobruk continued to fight in other key campaigns of the War.
The 9th Division went on to fight at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo.
The 18th Brigade of the 7th Division fought at Milne Bay, Buna and Sanananda in Papua and at Balikpapan in Borneo.
The 6th Division, which captured Tobruk prior to the siege, went on to fight in Greece and New Guinea.
The spirit of cooperation, trust and comradeship, of mateship was the real strength of Tobruk.
For their stubborn tenacity in defence, the German propagandists gave them the name they have worn with pride ever since- the "Rats".
So It is that today we remember, thank and honour these mighty Rats of Tobruk.
These men are national treasures, the living embodiment of courage and endurance and the triumph over evil in defiance of great odds.
What they did will never be forgotten and nor will they.
They have shown us all that despite the strength of our adversaries, good and great things can be achieved and that our love and respect and care for one another, our mateship, will always be a key to our successes when the tough times are upon us when the battle needs to be fought.
As Chester Wilmot, an ABC Correspondent who lived through the siege, said at the unveiling of the Memorial in the Tobruk War Cemetery:
"Tobruk, and the spirit it typified became woven into the pattern of Australian heritage, just as surely as Gallipoli... the sands neither of the desert nor of time will obscure the splendid achievement of the men of Tobruk. Their real monument is their name and their most honoured resting place is in the grateful hearts of their fellow men".
And of course, Chester's words still ring true.
In our hearts the fallen men of that campaign will always remembered and revered for their sacrifice for us.
For those surviving Rats Australia is indebted to you all, and to your mates who are no longer with us.
Your tenacity, strength and mateship at a time of great adversity are qualities we can all aspire to emulate...
... they are truly an inspiration - and will remain so for future generations.
We thank you for your service to our great country and your contribution to the freedom, democracy and peace that Australians now take for granted.
Sadly, the fighting in Libya today, including Tobruk, and the unfortunate loss of lives shows us how fragile these values can be.
Reflecting on how lucky we are here in Australia brings home why we must always remember and honour the service and sacrifice of our fellow countrymen and women.
As a country we thank all who served, your families, your friends for the sacrifices you made.
The story of the mighty Rats of Tobruk will forever remain etched in our nations story and help explain why we are who we are.
Thank you.
Media inquiries:
Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
Department of Veterans' Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203