WWII footprints

Tobruk Australian and New Zeeland army corps footprints (WWII sites)

Day 1 Tobruk area
Highlights: Tobruk museum, Fig Tree Hospital, German War Memorial and Tobruk commonwealth cemetery.

This day will start with a tour through the historical town of Tobruk. You will visit the centre museum and the lady Be Good Plane. Afterwards you will start exploring some of Tobruk’s numerous cemeteries such as: Commonwealth Cemetery, then after lunch, you will visit the English Cemetery, followed by a drive to the Fig Tree hospital. The Australian or the Fig Tree Hospital was used as a base to treat the wounded. The name comes from the actual fig tree which still stands witness to this day, as shown in this photo. According to some reports, a cutting from the tree was taken to Australia, where it was planted at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance by Tobruk veterans. Before returning to Tobruk’s city centre we will visit the Ras Alawda Castle.

Day 2 Tobruk area
Highlights: Bir Hacheim, Knightsbridge Cemetery and the Lady Be Goodplane.

Today we drive out to the desert to examine Operation Crusader and Rommel’s Gazala offensive which led to the relief and the fall of Tobruk in 1941 and 1942 respectively. In 4x4s we will see where the Allies received a bloody nose at Sidi Rezegh and Bir el Gubi, before continuing to the southern most ‘box’ of the Gazala Line at Bir Hacheim where will have a desert picnic amongst the evident remains of that valiant defence by the Free French. Carefully picking our way northwards along the line through the still dangerous minefields we will visit the Knightsbridge box and end our day within the confines of the Acroma cemetery.

Day 3 Tobruk area
Highlights: French, English and German cemeteries and Rommel’s headquarters.

A full day exploring in and around Tobruk. We examine the perimeter defences,  visit the French and German cemeteries. We experience a magnificent views over Tobruk harbour and Rommel’s headquarters.