What did Rommel say about Australian soldiers?

German commander Erwin Rommel was even quoted as saying: "If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it.

What did German soldiers think of Australian soldiers ww2?

The German soldiers feared and respected the skills of the Australians. In a letter captured and translated by the 7th Australian Infantry Brigade in May 1918, a German soldier wrote to his mother: We are here near ALBERT, I am in the foremost line, about 200 metres opposite the British.

Why did the Germans fear Australians?

And the German learned to fear Australians, because they were reckless, ruthless - and revengeful. During the Third Battle of Ypres, autumn 1917, the ANZAC's (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) met the Germans on high ground, in front of Polygon Wood.

Why did the Germans call Australians rats?

They likened the fighting style of the Australians to that of a rat; a vermin that steals from the shadows. The propaganda expressed supreme confidence that the German victory was assured and the Australian defeat was imminent because the "rats" were caught in a German trap.

Why were the Australian soldiers called the Rats of Tobruk?

Nevertheless, morale remained high - the Australians adopting the ironic nickname 'The Rats of Tobruk', in response to reports that Nazi radio propagandist 'Lord Haw Haw' had described them as being caught 'like rats in a trap' in one of his broadcasts.

What Did Rommel and the Germans Think About Australian Soldiers in WWII?

How many Rats of Tobruk are still alive?

The troops were later the subject of the film The Rats of Tobruk starring Peter Finch and Chips Rafferty. Today, out of 14,000 Aussie Rats that held Tobruk against Rommel's forces 78 years ago, only around 30 are still alive to tell the story.

Did the Allies win the Battle of Tobruk?

On June 21, 1942, General Erwin Rommel turns his assault on the British-Allied garrison at Tobruk, Libya, into victory, as his panzer division occupies the North African port. Britain had established control of Tobruk after routing the Italians in 1940.

What was the Brisbane line in ww2?

The “Brisbane line” was an alleged plan to abandon Northern Australia in the event of a Japanese invasion. The allegation was made during an election campaign in October 1942 when Edward Ward, the Minister for Labour and National Services accused the previous government of planning this strategy.

Why The Rats of Tobruk have such an important place in Australian military history?

The defenders of Tobruk did not surrender, they did not retreat. Their determination, bravery, and humour, combined with the aggressive tactics of their commanders, became a source of inspiration during some of the war's darkest days. In so doing, they achieved lasting fame as the “Rats of Tobruk”.

How many Aussies were in Tobruk?

Between April and August 1941 around 14,000 Australian soldiers were besieged in Tobruk by a German–Italian army commanded by General Erwin Rommel.

Are Aussies good soldiers?

While considered excellent soldiers, Australians were known for their easygoing natures, their ability to enjoy themselves heartily when on leave, as well as their reputation for a relaxed attitude to discipline. C.E.W.

What were Australian soldiers called in ww2?

In 1942 the Army adopted the title Australian Military Forces (AMF) to encompass the various categories of service: AIF, Militia and Permanent Forces.

Did Britain abandon Australia in ww2?

Curtin was becoming convinced during December 1941 that Churchill's assurances of British military support for Australia against Japan were worthless, and he was not prepared to see Australia abandoned by the British to a Japanese invasion.

Did Australians fight the Germans?

Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War. They fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, as well as against Japan in south-east Asia and other parts of the Pacific.

Why are Australian soldiers called Diggers?

Many Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the Second Boer War, 1899–1902, were former miners, and at the Battle of Elands River (1900), the Australian defenders earned a reputation as diggers, who hastily constructed dugout defences in the hard ground.

Is Tobruk a true story?

The film is loosely based on the British attacks on German and Italian forces at Tobruk codenamed "Operation Agreement". The film depicts the operation as being successful, although in actuality Operation Agreement was a disastrous failure.

Why was Kokoda significant to Australia?

The Kokoda Track marks the course of one of the most important battles for Australians in the Second World War. Between 21 July and 16 November 1942, the Australian Army halted the furthermost southward advance by Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea and then pushed the enemy back across the mountains.

Why was the battle for North Africa so important?

The battle for North Africa was a struggle for control of the Suez Canal and access to oil from the Middle East and raw materials from Asia. Oil in particular had become a critical strategic commodity due to the increased mechanization of modern armies.

Was Australia invaded in ww2?

The Japanese first attacked the Australian mainland on 19 February 1942 when they launched a devastating air raid on Darwin in the Northern Territory. Two weeks later, more aircraft attacked Broome in Western Australia killing about 70 people.

How was the battle of Brisbane resolved?

The mayhem was finally controlled by large numbers of Australian military police, especially brought in to patrol the city. The Battle of Brisbane was, alas, not unique and there were many subsequent flare-ups involving Australian and US soldiers in Sydney (the Battle of Bondi), Melbourne, Perth and Rockhampton.

What was the focus of the royal commission Brisbane line?

In 1943, a Royal Commission was appointed by Prime Minister John Curtin to investigate whether the Menzies Government had formulated a plan for the abandonment of Northern Australia.

Why did Poland fall to the Germans so quickly?

Germany had twice as many airplanes as Poland did — and its planes were more advanced. So Poland found itself overmatched. And because the German army in 1939 was a lot more mechanized than it had been in previous wars, the Germans were able to make progress extremely quickly.

What did Desert Rats do in ww2?

Desert Rats, byname of the 7th Armoured Division, group of British soldiers who helped defeat the Germans in North Africa during World War II. The Desert Rats, led by Gen. Allen Francis Harding, were especially noted for a hard-fought three-month campaign against the more-experienced German Afrika Korps, led by Gen.

Who won El Alamein?

Fought near the western frontier of Egypt between 23 October and 4 November 1942, El Alamein was the climax and turning point of the North African campaign in the Second World War (1939-45). The Axis army of Italy and Germany suffered a decisive defeat by the British Eighth Army.