REFERENCE BOOKS - TOBRUK & OTHER STORIES

THE RATS REFERENCE LIBRARY - tobruk & other stories

There have been many books written about the Siege, some no longer in print unfortunately.

But there are also some recent publications well worth trying to get your hands on to learn more about our brave Rats of Tobruk.

Whilst this is not a complete list we will keep updating these page as we come across both old and new.

Click the book image for more details about the book and where it may be purchased or where to start looking for a copy.

A Rat of Tobruk

Lieutenant John Rosel won a Military Cross for displaying
‘calmness and outstanding leadership’ when his platoon
became surrounded at a critical point in the siege of
Tobruk. He led the defence of several vital outposts against
numerous attacks by the troops of General Rommel. His son
Mike has written not only a touching tribute to his father’s
war service but also a perceptive and stylish account of the
soldiering experience of a generation.
A Rat of Tobruk has many fascinating photographs
– mainly taken by John Rosel –and is recommended to
anyone interested in the Australian soldiers who risked all
while making a substantial contribution to Allied victory in
World War II.
– Dr Mark Johnston, historian

BOTH SIDES OF THE HILL

Originally accredited to anothe Unit, this is the account of the capture of Company 621 a German Wireless Intercept Unit by the 2/24th Infantry Battalion.
annexure to the 2/24th Infantry Battalion History.
Author R P Serle

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

TOBRUK'S EASTER BATTLE 1941

The Forgotten 15th's date with Rommel's champion.
Auhtor John Mackenzie-Smith

HALF A LIFE

Biography of QX8135 Private E.H. Snowy Roselt, who marched in the newly formed 2/15 Australian Infantry Battalion in June 1940, and was killed in action on August 31, 1941.
Author: Margery McDonald Smith

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

A TOBRUK RAT'S TALE

He was the first in the Australian Army to have risen from private to brigadier. This tale by one of those gallant Australians dubbed Rats of Tobruk by Nazi German propagandists includes a riveting account of Zak Isaksson's involvement as a member of the 2/48th battalion at Tobruk and El Alamein.
Author: by Olof Hedley Isaksson

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

THE THOUSAND DOORS

Australian Doctors at War Vol 4 The Middle East and Far East 1939 - 1942
The book has illustrated biographies of doctors who served during the Second World War. The fourth volume in the series Australian Doctors at War, covers the Allied campaigns in North Africa and Syria until the Battle of Alamein, operations in Malaya until the Fall of Singapore, and the expeditionary forces sent by Australia to New Britain, New Ireland, Timor, Ambon, New Caledonia, Nauru and Ocean Island. Contains over 700 biographies of medical officers who signed up for the Australian Armed Forces from 1939–1942.
Author: Colonel R. Likeman CSM

Currently available from booksellers and dealers.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GHOSTS

With the 2/9th Battalion in the African Desert and the Jungles of the Pacific
Author: Bill Spencer

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

A TANKIE'S TRAVELS

World War II Experiences of a Former Member of the Royal Tank Regiment.
Author: Jock Watt

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

CAPTAINS OF THE SOUL

This book assesses the contribution of Australian Army chaplains in conflicts and peacekeeping missions, in barracks and among service families. Drawing on a wealth of original archival material and little known published sources, Captains of the Soul represents the first comprehensive account of Australian Army chaplains.
Author Michael Gladwin

Often available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

NOT A CONQUERING HERO

Autobiographical story of a soldier of the 2/9th Battalion during World War II.
Author: Frank Rolleston

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

A PADRE WITH THE RATS OF TORBUK

Based on a series of broadcast talks in Hobart, given by the author. No longer in print but available for viewing online at several location. (link available on full page display click to view)
Author: J C Salter

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

AS I SAW IT - 2/23rd Battalion

A brief history of the 2/23rd Infantry Battalion. The author was a decorated member of the battalion and records the battalion’s history and his experiences
Author Ken Joyce DCM MID

Quite rare but occasionally shows up at second-hand dealers or eBay.

I WAS A RAT - TOBRUK 1941

The author’s experience as a member of the 2/4 Australian General Hospital during the siege of Tobruk. He was one of the famous ‘Rats of Tobruk’.
Author : Ruper Goodman AM

Sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

HORRIE THE WOG DOG

Horrie the Wog Dog was the unofficial mascot for the 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion of the Second Australian Imperial Force. An Egyptian terrier, the dog was befriended by a soldier serving in the unit when it was stationed in Egypt during the Second World War. The dog subsequently followed the battalion throughout various locations in the Middle East and in Greece and Crete, before being smuggled back to Australia in 1942.
Author: Ion Idress

Still available in print from major booksellers and sometimes available online from second-hand dealers and eBay.

PRISONERS OF WAR

Using dozens of interviews with former POWs, Patsy Adam-Smith shows the strength and courage of Australians taken prisoner in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
Author : Patsy Adam-Smith

Available online from second-hand dealers and possibly eBay.

SHOOTING THROUGH

The story of Campo 106 escaped POWs after the Italian Armistice. In early September 1943, Italy capitulated to the Allies. Australian prisoners of war, POWs, seized this watershed moment and snatched supplies before walking out of Italy's rice farms scattered on the Piedmont plain west of Milan.

Escapes were mostly easy but freedom was vexed. The ultimate challenge for escaped POWs was to navigate and to outlive the volatile context of post-armistice Italy beyond their prison camps. Wearing uniforms or a motley clash of civilian cast-off clothing, escapers had a price on their heads as they headed north towards alpine passes and neutral Swiss territory, or as they wandered in search of advancing Allied Lines in south Italy. During their treks through mountains, valleys and 'freedom trails', Australians teamed up with New Zealand, British and South African POWs to dodge German and fascist militia and to take up arms with fledgling Resistance brigades. Not all escaped POWs survived.