Tobruk Patch

[Ironside410]

Hello All
In late January 1941 the Australian 6th Division captured the port of Tobruk.

The AWM holds a series of photographs of diggers holding the Italian flag taken down from the town hall after the capture of Tobruk. I have attached a copy of one of the photos which shows diggers in various uniforms and with various accoutrements.

I have attached a second photo which is a blow-up of the three diggers in the bottom left of the main photo. They are all wearing a triangular colour patch. Can anybody suggest what unit the three diggers would be from.

Thanks

Dennis

[fairlie63]

The manner in which they are equipped and the age of many of the men suggests that it is either 1 Aust Corps Guard Bn (black) or one of the Corps engineer units (purple).

Keith

[fairlie63]

ORBAT 6 Aust Div at Tobruch doesn't show any Corps units attached so it is possible that these are men of 2/8 Aust Fd Coy which was originally Corps Troops before transferring to 6 Aust Div to replace 2/3 Aust Fd Coy diverted to United Kingdom.

Seems to have taken a while for colour patches to have kept up with the multiple ORBAT changes that occurred in Middle East at this time.

Keith

[Ironside410]

Thanks Keith, that gives me another avenue of inquiry.

Dennis

[Ironside410]

Hello Keith,

You were spot on with the patch being the 2/8th Field Company. Their unit diary and a couple of other books I have on the North African campaign puts them there and playing a critical role in the breeching of the perimeter defences of Tobruk allowing the infantry to do their part.

Thanks again.

Dennis