| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (57 min. 5 sec.) ; 343289723 bytes |
| Summary |
Desert War is an exciting, insightful and subtly revisionist account of one of the most celebrated campaigns of the Second World War. Centred on the siege of Tobruk and the battle for El Alamein, this 2-part series peels back the official history to reveal jaw-dropping personal stories from the front lines, brought to life in searing drama documentary footage. It also explores the complex links between political leaders, senior commanders and intelligence services which continually influenced the campaign. The fame of German General Erwin Rommel is reassessed in the light of the incredible story of a little-known Axis espionage triumph that delivered detailed summaries of Allied strengths, weaknesses and deployments into Rommel's hands - with terrible consequences for those fighting for their lives in the desert.The small port of Tobruk on the Libyan coast is the key to the Desert War. If he can take it, the famous German General Erwin Rommel can drive the British and their Commonwealth allies out of North Africa, and perhaps out of the war itself.Standing in his way are Australian and British soldiers of the Tobruk garrison, 25,000 men whose exploits are about to create a legend. Dubbed 'Rats' by their opponents, these young soldiers dig in, doggedly enduring a siege for eight bloody months, and proving to the world - for the first time since the Second World War began - that a Nazi army can not only be halted, but beaten.PRODUCTION DETAILS:Director Steve Westh, writers Steve Westh, Greg Colgan and Phil Craig, executive producers Andrew Ogilvie, Andrea Quesnelle and Phil Craig. Desert War is an Electric Pictures production |
| Event |
Broadcast 2013-04-25 at 20:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: PG |
| Subject |
Australia. Australian Army. Australian Imperial Force (1940-1947)
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Desert warfare.
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Tobruk, Battles of (Libya : 1941-1942)
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War casualties.
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World War (1939-1945)
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Libya -- Tobruk.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Westh, Steve, director
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Bower, Humphrey, cast
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Ellis, Ray, contributor
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Fellers, Bonner, contributor
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Jahn, Wolf-Dietrich, contributor
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Madeley, Joe, contributor
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McDonald, Rex, contributor
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Morshead, Leslie, contributor
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Pace, Clifford, contributor
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Rommel, Erwin, contributor
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Wallace, Gordon, contributor
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Wilmot, Chester, contributor
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