Book Review: Heroes of Tobruk

Heroes of Tobruk (Scholastic, 2008) offers both information and insights into the realities of battle for the soldiers of the Second World War. Written in a very readable and entertaining way, the novel nevertheless brings to the forefront many of the everyday challenges met and overcome by the Rats of Tobruk during their six month siege.

Plot Summary of The Heroes of TobrukPeter Fullerton is the intelligent younger son of a prominent family, overshadowed by his high achieving and favoured older brother. Tony Cantonelli is Peter’s friend and the son of a long-term employee of the Fullerton family.

After witnessing a recruitment rally, 16-year old Peter and Tony lie about their names and age and enlist in the army. They both have something to prove and naively believe that the adventure of war will be the solution to their current problems.

Heroes of Tobruk describes two years in the lives of Peter and Tony, from their Australian schooling and family life to the raw intensity of the battlefield in a foreign land. As their journey progresses from sheltered school boys through basic training and into military service, the boys are challenged to rethink their world view and beliefs.

The novel is narrated by Peter Fullerton. His well-educated, inquisitive and analytical yet naive and unworldly viewpoint gives great scope for Mulligan to educate his readers. Heroes of Tobruk presents not only a well-researched background to the World War 2 Siege of Tobruk, it also offers the soldiers’ viewpoint through the youthful observations of a questioning mind.

Insightful Introduction to the Siege of Tobruk

Young readers will easily identify with the passions and rebellion of Peter and Tony. Peter’s ever questioning mind draws the reader’s attention not only to the realities of warfare in the battles, injuries and deaths but also to the everyday realities for a solider in the field.

Even more significant are Peter’s insights the emotional impact of the ongoing conflict, constant fear and the instinctive reactions to the death and maiming of fellow soldiers and friends. It is in this area that Heroes of Tobruk has its greatest influence and Peter’s desire to understand his own reactions provides valuable insight for young readers into the true cost and impact of war.

A brief glossary is provided at the end of the novel. There are no additional notes on the Battle of Tobruk, although the novel itself provides many details regarding military dates, names and strategies and the social impact of the war.

The Siege of Tobruk

Research notes from the Australian War Memorial explain that the Siege of Tobruk, like Gallipoli and Milne Bay, has special significance in Australian military history. For six months in 1941, Australian and British military forces held the city of Tobruk against the attacking German and Italian forces led by the German General Rommel.

William Joyce, a German propagandist more commonly known as Lord Haw Haw, derisively referred to the soldiers maintaining the siege as The Rats of Tobruk. His plan to belittle and undermine the moral of the soliders fell flat, however, as they proudly embraced the name as an ironic compliment.

The defenders of Tobruk gained no ground, but they maintained their defence of Tobruk and inflicted heavy casualties on Rommels’ forces. Their fortitude and resilience bought their allies valuable time to build up a counter-offensive for Rommel’s planned attack on Egypt.

A Worthwhile Introduction to the Impact of World War 2

In Heroes of Tobruk, David Mulligan offers a valuable introduction to the Battle of Tobruk for readers aged 10 to 14. While battlefield descriptions may be confronting for some readers, they are not lingered over and the pace of the character-driven narrative prevents them from becoming a focal point.

Related Articles:

Review: A Rose for the Anzac Boys

The Rats of Tobruk were Heroes of World War 2

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