Libya Collection

In the Western Desert, a bakery at work. Fresh bread for Australian troops at Tobruk is baked in these " Aldershot" ovens in the field

A British solder having a bath. Tobruk. Libya. The Siege of Tobruk lasted for 241 days in 1941, after Axis forces advanced through Cyrenaica from El Agheila in Operation Sonnenblume against Allied

Tobruk. (Picture) After a very heavy rainstorm which followed a sandstorm which had lasted all day. Water rushed down Waddis and flooded many of the tents

A German petrol dump captured between Bardia and Tobruk. Pictured, hundreds of petrol cans full of petrol being loaded on to a British truck. December 1941

LBYR. A. F. regiment defends airfields in Cyrenaica and Libya. World War Two
LBYR.A.F. regiment defends airfields in Cyrenaica and Libya. World War Two. In November 1942, the Allied forces retook Cyrenaica

Havoc at Tobruk. Aerial view of Tobruk with sunken cargo vessel in the foreground and burning petrol in foreground. Circa 9th February 1941

Life in a hospital in Tobruk. (Picture) Waiting their turn at the dentists who can be seen at work in the background. Circa November 1941

Infantry in front of Tobruk waiting to advance into town, which is seen in the background with fires burning. Circa 9th February 1941

Coastal defence guns of Tobruk. (Picture) Victory being marked on the shells in readiness for sending to the enemy. Circa September 1941

Soldiers in Tobruk, Libya. Another pet with the Gunner Officers. This rabbit wandered into the Mess one day and refused to leave. Circa 24th September 1941

A memorial built by Royal Australian Engineers and dedicated to those who have given their lives for the defence of Tobruk was unveiled by Major-gen Morshead, G.O.C, Tobruk. Circa 1941

Polish troops who are among the defenders of Tobruk at a firing post during Second World War. Circa October 1941

Australian and other Empire troops defending Tobruk. (Picture) The Tobruk Truth, nicknamed the Dinkun Oil by the troops, is published regularly by Australians in Tobruk

Fall of Tobruk. (Picture) Fires burning in the town of Tobruk. In the foreground are British troops advancing towards the town. Circa 1940s

A piper of the Highland regiment entertaining the wounded, both British and enemy, as they await their turn for the dressing of wounds at a casualty clearing station on the battlefield near Tobruk

Bren gunner in action against bombers, in the background a lorry can be seen burning in Tobruk Libya. Circa 9th October 1941

Company Commander of a British County regiment with his second in command, keeping an eye forward of Tobruk. Circa 1940s

The Catholic Church in Tobruk although badly damaged is still standing. Services are held elsewhere but soldiers often call in for a few minutes during the day

This ingenious still for purifying water for the defenders of Tobruk was invented by Lieut. J. Blair-Yuill (right of photograph). Circa 1940s

KBR for Australian defender of Tobruk. Major General Sir Leslie-Morshead, G. O. C, A
KBR for Australian defender of Tobruk. Major General Sir Leslie-Morshead, G.O.C, A.I.F, Middle East, receiving the K.B.E from General Claude Auchinleck at a recent investiture ceremony in the Middle

Sappers of a South African Division clearing and making safe enemy mines in the Bardia area of Lybia. 12th January 1942. The Western Desert campaign (the Desert War)

British field artillery in action in Tobruk: Captain John Hay of Edinburgh giving orders by megaphone, alongside L/Bdr Leslie Browning. Picture taken circa 1st December 1941

The Battle Libya - pictures from the front. In the this of the fight. South Africans charging a the enemy through a smoke screen with fixed bayonets. Picture taken circa 21st December 1941

The Fall of Tobruk. Libya. Italian women being evacuated from Tobruk. The Siege of Tobruk lasted for 241 days in 1941, after Axis forces advanced through Cyrenaica from El Agheila in Operation

Picture taken on board a British Battleship as it takes part in a naval bombardment of Derna, a port city in eastern Libya. Picture taken circa 14th January 1942

The Royal Airforce bombing of Tripoli, Libya. Picture shows Axis (enemy) troops clearing up the debit on Spanish Mole, Tripoli, Libya, after an RAF raid. Picture taken circa 16th January 1942

Royal Air Force. Middle East, score direct hits in attack on Benghazi Harbour, Libya. Picture shows bombs bursting on the docks and shipping in the harbour during a raid

The last phase at Bardia, Libya, seen from the air. Pictures taken from the air by an air ministry official photographer during the final thrust which ended int he occupation of Bardia

Outside Navy House, Tobruk. Note sunken ship in background. Circa 1940s

British troops in Eastern Desert. (Picture) A communication trench sandbagged and camouflaged with net. 14th December 1940

San Giorgios fate. In Tobruk Harbour. The end of the Italian cruiser San Giorgio. She is seen burning furiously amidships. Circa 1940s

Troops embarking for the journey to Tobruk during Second World War. 6th November 1941

The Italian cruiser San Giorgio, which was sunk during the Italian retreat, seen in the harbour of Tobruk. Circa 1940s

Blockade of Djibouti. A total blockade is now taking place by land, sea and air of Djibouti. The K.A.R. air taking acre of certain sections of the land frontline

Men of the border regiment cross the Chindwin River during Second World War. Circa January 1945

Captured Italian gun being put to good use by British bush artillery men at Tobruk. Circa 1940s

Gunners in Tobruk, Libya. (Picture) These gunners have as their mascot a Libyan sheep. They had a lamb as mascot when in Hyde Park. Circa 1940s

Italians soldiers surrendering to an Australian soldier in Bardia. January 1941

Cruiser tanks moving into action over rough ground near Tobruk during Second World War. Circa 9th October 1941

Italian forces surrender to the British Army in the Libyan desert. March 1941

Australians advance on Bardia, Libya. January 1941

Australians with a captured Italian bomber in Bardia. January 1941

Wadis near Tobruk from the air. Libya. February 1943

Allied forces operating a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun battery in the final drive on Tripoli, during combat on the North Africa front in the Second World War. February 1943

Indian troops of the British Indian Army move forward in lorries, supported by a Light Tank Mk VI to relieve the besieged garrison port of Tobruk. 24th November 1941

The harbour of Benghazi after the British re-entry showing the large number of sunken Axis ships evidence of the deadly effectiveness of RAF bomb marksmanship 20th November 1942

The photograph shows the shattered waterfront of the main supply port of Benghazi. Wrecked store buildings along the quays and burnt out vessels. Circa November 1942

An Italian destroyer sunk by the RAF in the harbour at Benghazi. March 9th 1941
An Italian destroyer sunk by the RAF in the harbour at Benghazi.March 9th 1941

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