Words & TermsWar, service and history
rat of Tobruk
A member of the Allied garrison that defended Tobruk in 1941, especially an Australian veteran so nicknamed.
In a sentence
In this historical or contextual use, “rat of Tobruk” means a member of the Allied garrison that defended Tobruk in 1941, especially an Australian veteran so nicknamed.
Where it came from
The initially derogatory enemy label 'Rats of Tobruk' was adopted proudly by Australian veterans and became a durable Australian wartime nickname.
- Initial era
- 1900–1949
- Where used
- Australian military usage; historical