15 HQ Carrier Pigeon Section pigeons readied for use by USAAF and RAF, 1943

The Siege of Tobruk, April-November, 1941

Australian troops occupy a front line position at Tobruk, 13 August 1941. Between April and December 1941 the Tobruk garrison, comprising Australian, Polish, Indian and British troops, was besieged by Rommel's forces. It fell to the Germans after the battle of Gazala on 21 June 1942 but was recaptured five months later.  Photo by Lt. N. Smith, No. 1 Army Film and Photographic Unit.  © IWM (E 4792)

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

WO169/11224

#6, #7, #8, #9, #14, #15, #16

Royal Air Force:  Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-43

Armourers roll 500-lb MC bombs towards a Handley Page Halifax B Mark II Series of No. 462 Squadron RAAF, in a sandbagged revetment at Fayid, Egypt, before a night raid to Benghazi or Tobruk (the "Mail Run") is undertaken. The photograph was taken shortly after the formation of the Squadron when Nos. 10/227 and 76/462 Combined Squadrons were merged at Fayid on 7 September 1942. Although nominally an Australian unit, 462 Squadron contained a preponderance of British personnel at this time.  Photo by Royal Air Force official photographer.  © IWM (CM 4115)