Springbok Gunners – South African Artillery and the Defence of Tobruk, 20–21 June 1942

What is it about?

The loss of the port of Tobruk on 21 June 1941 has long haunted South Africans as defense of the port was entrusted to the 39-year-old South African Major General H.B. ("Hendrik") Klopper and his 2nd South African Infantry Brigade. While the loss of 10 722 men was a disaster, the fact that most had surrendered without firing a shot meant that a stigma of defeat would surround these men for the rest of their lives._x000D_ _x000D_ However, by using newly discovered diaries, letters and sketch books of the men involved combined with official South African Department of Defence documents an alternative narrative has now emerged._x000D_ Deployed in the fortress were various South African artillery units, who when Rommel attacked were rushed to the threatened Indian sector. Fighting bravely throughout the day, these Springbok Gunners were to fire the first and the last shots of the battle and suffered 85 dead in the process. This is their story.

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