Tobruk
Half Day

Tobruk is a city and port on the northeastern Libyan coast. Its industries include flour milling, liquor distilling, and soap manufacturing. One of the finest Mediterranean seaports on the coast and an important trade and transportation centre, Tobruk was captured by the Italians in 1911 and became part of their African colonial empire. During World War II it was captured by the Australians in January 1941 and was besieged and bombed by the Germans under Erwin Rommel, until relieved by the British in December. It fell to the Germans in June 1942, but was recaptured by the British in November in an offensive launched from Al 'Alamayn (El 'Alamein).

The German cemetery with its massive stonewalls and round towers looks out over Tobruk like a medieval fortress. Built in 1945, this is an austere memorial to the folly of war. Inside is a great courtyard, at the centre of which is the basin for the eternal flame, held up by four kneeling angles.

Arcades surround three sides of the courtyard. On the walls are inscribed the names of all those who fell at Tobruk.

At the entrance of the commonwealth War cemetery is a long silent bell of HMS Liverpool. Long lines of simple white stones bear the heartfelt words of family members.

Smaller than the others, the French War Cemetery is 6 km SE of Tobruk. Despite its small size, this is an important cemetery commemorating the stiff resistance put up by the Free French Forces at the battle of Bir Hakeim in May and June 1942, out in the desert 90 km south of Tobruk. The graves are marked with simple crosses inscribed with each soldier’s name and regiment.

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