Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was a field army of the British Army during the Second World War. It was formed as the Western Army on 10 September 1941, in Egypt, before being renamed the Army of the Nile and then the Eighth Army on 26 September. It was created the better to control the growing Allied forces based in Egypt and to direct their efforts to lift the siege of Tobruk via Operation Crusader.
Alan Cunningham, after his appointment to command the Eighth Army
Neil Ritchie (center with pipe) who replaced Cunningham during Operation Crusader, pictured during the Battle of Gazala flanked by corps commanders.
Auchinleck, commander-in-chief Middle East Command, who eventually took over direct command of Eighth Army in 1942
Montgomery during the Second Battle of El Alamein
The Siege of Tobruk took place between 10 April and 27 November 1941, during the Western Desert campaign (1940–1943) of the Second World War. An Allied force, consisting mostly of the 9th Australian Division, commanded by Lieutenant-General Leslie Morshead, was besieged in the North African port of Tobruk by German and Italian forces. The tenacious defenders quickly became known as the Rats of Tobruk. After 231 days, they were finally relieved by the British Eighth Army.
Soldiers of the victorious Allied armies: Polish, British, Indian, Australian and Czech.
Australian troops occupy a front line position at Tobruk
One of many Italian convoys heading towards North Africa
Italian troops and arms on their way to Tobruk 1941
