| Place | Africa: North Africa, Western Desert, Western Desert (Egypt), Salum |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P01810.003 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Date made | 29 June 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
The British destroyer HMS Defender (left) alongside the Australian destroyer HMAS Waterhen, after ...
Description
The British destroyer HMS Defender (left) alongside the Australian destroyer HMAS Waterhen, after the latter had been attacked and crippled by German dive bombers off the port of Salum in Egypt. The Waterhen had been carrying reinforcements to the besieged garrison at Tobruk. It was one of several Australian ships that operated a shuttle service between Tobruk and various ports in Egypt, a service that became known as the Tobruk ferry or Tobruk taxi. HMS Defender is taking on board the crew of the Waterhen and the troops it has been carrying. HMAS Waterhen sank the following day, 1941-06-30.