DLI-Siege of Tobruk?

I do hope that Cobbers apology has been accepted by all, as the term used, I am sure, was not meant by him to lessen any soldiers critical contribution.


Every thing is sweet now Spidge, thanks. Verrieres last post says so in the reason for editing.
Seems the word I used is considered very offensive by the relatives in the UK. So I will not use that one again.

 

Morning Team - I guess the Poem probably reflected the 'spin' put on the seige in the newsreels and press and naturally the British Bns fom the DLI and Northumberland Fusiliers probably groused about the fact that their contribion was not recognised at the time.

 

Honest question.
Does the links in threads to DLI both the unit and the poem links are no longer able to be down loaded or is it just not loading at my end???

 

No problems this end Cobber

 

Cool mate i will have to wait for this PC (Piece Of Crap) to catch up.

Thanks Jedburgh22,

 

Cobber
Honest question.



An honest reply

The link originally supplied leads to a main page.

The poem in contention can be found here: Cpl J W S Gibson `OUR BILLY` - DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY 1920-1946

May I now respectfully suggest that you now move back to the main debate ?

Ron

 

I must admit the last verse raised my eyebrows initially however I thought that whatever the reason, it can't have been only to do with Tobruk as there is nothing I can find which shows the DLI in Tobruk until the 14th/15th of October 1941 just before the siege was officially lifted.

On arrival, they were placed in reserve, shelled heavily then moved to the southern sector.

The "friendly" animosity may have had it roots in Syria where much animosity grew with bans on much of the news of the Vichy French campaign. The Australian 7th division, known as the forgotten 7th were never given many accolades until New Guinea as although one of their brigades was at Tobruk, (the Australian 9th received all the accolades in Australia) and there was no trumpet blowing over defeating the French (your supposed ally) in Syria and was subsequently not given the press it deserved.

The 1st battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Machine Gun Bn ) was there through the siege as well as the other units previously mentioned above.

The 9th Australian infantry division was the dominant infantry division however without the rest of the units it would have been overrun without a doubt.

It is said that the Esprit de corps of the myriad of units during the siege could never have been foreseen.

The leadership of General Sir Leslie Morshead throughout the siege ensured they knew they were all dependent on one another if they were to survive.

9th Division took over 3,000 casualties (killed and wounded) and 941 taken prisoner. There was worse to come for them at El Alamein.

 

Yes; Thank You Ron Goldstein, unfortunately for me the link you provided does not work this end either.

As for respectfully getting back on the main debate, I agree with you, and as you are well aware the topic is the DLI and Tobruk .

My above posts except for the post to Spidge re my apology being accepted are to do with the DLI and Tobruk.
I have asked questions about links I can no longer load, these links are about the DLI and Tobruk and have been posted by the members in regard to the DLI and Tobruk so though not the exact debate they are compatible with the debate about DLI and Tobruk due in main by the fact they (the links) have been posted quite early in the thread and appear to have been accepted as posts relevant to the main thread topic.


Thank you for your interest in my posts.
My uncle M.R.Windsor served in Tobruk as liason officer with the Notts Yeomany Coastal gunners.

Kind Regards
Cbbr

 

Before this thread disintergrates into a who done what affair I have corresponded with Cobber the problem was the word `FLAKE` which may have a different meaning at your end.Lets put it to bed now and move on.My uncle ,I assume ,(because he did not have the opportunity to explain himself ) used the reference to the Australians because of the publicity at the time he also makes references to Springboks,Indians,New Zealanders,Czechs and Poles who were all there but only the Australians were mentioned.Not their fault I know but the views of men who were overlooked.My uncle Bill had many Australian friends and was with a part company of DLI who fought with the Aussies at Bardia (again something which is overlooked in the history books). I too will print an apology if the Poem has upset anyone in open forum but as I said I took offence at the insult `Flake` nothing else.
Spidge theres no animosity really its a tongue in cheek way of putting their feels across.I apologise if any Australians are offended but its mens opinions who were actually there.
Jim

I must admit the last verse raised my eyebrows initially however I thought that whatever the reason, it can't have been only to do with Tobruk as there is nothing I can find which shows the DLI in Tobruk until the 14th/15th of October 1941 just before the siege was officially lifted

The DLI were there long before October though not as a unit Major Johnsons column with 7th Hussars ,Johnstone was killed on 20th January 1941 and is buried at Tobruk.Easily overlooked though.

 

I have sent you a response PM. You have absolutely nothing to apologise for mate,
Every thing is Cool so lets do what Ron Goldstein mentioned and get back to the DLI and Tobruk etc.