The Siege of Tobruk, lasting from April 10 to November 27, 1941, was a prolonged military engagement in North Africa during World War II. The siege pitted the defending Allied forces, primarily Australian, British, and Indian troops, against the attacking Axis forces, led by German General Erwin Rommel. The siege became a crucial battle for control of the strategically important port of Tobruk, which held a commanding position in the eastern Libyan desert. The Allied defense of Tobruk, despite facing constant attacks and supply shortages, significantly disrupted the Axis timetable in North Africa and became a symbol of Allied resilience.