World War 2 Bunkers
Do you recognise any of the graffiti?
Don,
Mousa [Saad] gave me the link to your web site. Very interesting collection of info and remarks.
Until the Arab Spring, I was a regular visitor to Tobruk and Bardia (Bardiyah) both on my own or with tour groups.
We did some considerable time on the red line perimeter which included defence post 'inspections'. A number of those were in rough terrain (East and West ends of the line near the coast) and incorporated tunnels to fire positions. A number had graffiti of interest. I attach some photos - hopefully of interest.
I have a project in mind to accurately re sign those posts with their designators - the old signage has deteriorated (or gone as souvenirs ?) - from some 1 : 25,000 war time maps I researched to print from the Imperial War Museum. But, despite the best will in the world, travel warnings and travel insurance negatives mean that's on hold for the moment!
Thanks for the work and the chance to look through..
Best Regards
Frank [Taylor]
Tobruk Perimeter Post Tunnel Entry Shaft Shaft - Courtesy Frank Taylor
Tobruk Perimeter Post Tunnel - Courtesy Frank Taylor
Tobruk Perimeter Post Tunnel - Courtesy Frank Taylor
I wish to thank Mousa Saad for giving me the opportunity to publish these photographs of the WWII Bunker walls.
As can be seen I have been able to research some of the graphiti. [Don]
J.V. Griffiths, Newcastle. 2/1 Pioneers NX 45225Presumably South Australia [Don]
Sapper T.B. Wylie 10th S.A.E.C.24th May 1942
10th Battalion, South African Engineer Corp. [Don]
Cpl. Hellerle P.W. 31-3-42
SX10879 Pt J.R. Tregeagle 2/43 From the above I have been able to research...
Promoted, SX10879 Cpl Jesse Roy Tregeagle, 2/43rd Australian Infantry Battalion
Born 30 Jul 1910, Died in action New Guinea 1-10-1943, Home town Tea Tree Gully, Adelaide, South Australia. Father Roy and Mother Rosalie.
He had served in Syria, Tobruk and El Alemein since 1941 when he enlisted. Previously Jesse worked for Commonwealth Railways, East-West Line.
Family Tree ----------
Memorial
Family contacted
[Don]
K. Pierpoint SX5348, 2/43 BnSX5348 Pt. Albert Kevin Pierpoint 2/43rd Infantry Battalion, born Queenbeyan, South Australia 24 June 1913 died 21 Nov 1966.
[Don]
Don
This is a scan of Italian coast artillery fire control centre.
This bunker was situated east of the harbour [Tobruk].
The graffiti on the wall I think is
Marine Hotel , Tobruk bar entrance.' East London. Personally I think it says Public Bar Entrance [Don S].
As l lived two years in Cape Town some time ago, I am sure this is a South African address.
Also see the ESSEX ARMS (I see there are quite a few in the U K. I see on the net there is today in East London a marine lodge hotel ???? I think the person who wrote this must have worked at the hotel. I will send next the pin-up photos that I filmed. Kindest Regards, Don Budge.
There is other graphiti at the top right but it is unreadable except a few letters. [Don S]
I found this newspaper in 1956/57 about 4 miles west of Tobruk. I found in a small waddi, some W.W.2 slit trenches they were filled with sand. My pal and I dug out the sand and found lots of letters mostly sweetheart and news from back home!!
We also found a box of Mills grenades and .303 ammo and a dog tag (fiber) with a number and name.
We filled in the trench and only kept the newspapers. The paper is THE SUN NEW PICTORIAL a Melbourne paper Sat. 3 May 1941. This paper is now the MELBOURNE HERALD SUN.
Don [B]
