Crusader

Type: Cruiser tank Nationality: Great Britain
The Crusader was by excellence the tank of the desert. It first saw fire in June of 1941 on the Libyan border and then made up the bulk of the armored forces of the British forces until the end of 1942, sharing the successes and the defeats. It was the tank best represented in Montgomery's army at the battle of El Alamein.
The availibility of American built tanks, able to fire antipersonnel as well as antitank shells meant that the Crusader left the frontline after the end of the campaign in North Africa. Some were converted to repair tank, commanding vehicle, etc....
Identification: The low and polygonal turret of the Crusader, along with its suspension with five big road-wheels, allow to contrast the Crusader from any other British tank.
Other designation(s): A-15
Based on: Cruiser tank
Production: 5 300 units

Production & Usage
	Années 20	1930-35	1936-38	1939	1940				1941				1942				1943			1944	1945

Production:						.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Méditerranée:										.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Users: Great Britain

Built on this design:

Crusader I
Crusader II
Crusader III

Crusader I

Type: Cruiser tank Nationality: Great Britain
Named Crusader I or A-15 or Cruiser Mark VI. It was an enlarged version of the A-13 Mk II and of the Convenanter, with a more powerful armor. Like many British tanks, it had mechanical teething troubles but they could be solved though before its first combat.
The Crusader saw action for the first time during the disastrous operation "Battleaxe" on the Libyan border but played also a major part in the successful offensive "Crusader" at the end of 1941.
Identification: The first version of the Crusader had an auxiliary turret with two (later a single) MG. That auxiliary turret is absent on the next Crusader II.
Other designation(s): Cruiser Mark VI

GeneralWeight (combat ready): 19.1 tons
Length: 5.97 meters
Height: 2.24 meters
Width: 2.77 meters
Crew: 5 men

Armor & Weapons2-pounder Mk. I
2 x 7.92mm Besa
.303 Bren
Maximum Armour: 40 mm
Minimum Armour: 9 mm

PropulsionEngine: Nuffield Liberty Mk II
Speed (*): 43 kph
Power: 340 HP
Fuel tank: 500 liters
Range (*): 323 km
Mileage (*): 155 liters per 100 km

ProductionFrom: N/A
To: N/A

(*) on road
Additional information on the web (for the model): [onwar]

Crusader I with the auxiliary turret in front of the hull.

Crusader II

Type: Cruiser tank Nationality: Great Britain
The first combats against German panzers in Africa proved the need for a thicker armor. The second version of the Crusader had thus a front armor increased from 40 to 50 mm.
It took part in the successful "Crusader" offensive but had to face Rommel's counter-offensive towards El Alamein the next year. The Crusader formed the bulk of Montgomery's armor force during the crucial battle of El Alamein.
Although slightly superiror to the German Panzer III, the Crusader was outclassed by the newly rearmed Panzer IV F2. Its 2-pounder gun, unable to fire high-explosive shells, was almost powerless in front an antitank gun.
Identification: Very similar to the Crusader I, except that it had no secondary turret.
Other designation(s): Cruiser Mark VI A

GeneralWeight (combat ready): 19.3 tons
Length: 5.97 meters
Height: 2.24 meters
Width: 2.77 meters
Crew: 4 men

Armor & Weapons2-pounder Mk. I
7.92mm Besa
Maximum Armour: 52 mm
Minimum Armour: 12 mm

PropulsionEngine: Nuffield Liberty Mk III
Speed (*): 43 kph
Power: 340 HP
Fuel tank: 500 liters
Range (*): 323 km
Mileage (*): 155 liters per 100 km

ProductionFrom: N/A
To: N/A

(*) on road

Production & Usage
	Années 20	1930-35	1936-38	1939	1940	1941			1942				1943		1944	1945

Méditerranée:							.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Users: Great Britain

Additional information on the web (for the model): [onwar]

Crusader II. The five road-wheels which differentiates the Crusaders from the Convenanters, are clearly visible on this picture.

Crusader III

Type: Cruiser tank Nationality: Great Britain
New version of the Crusader, rearmed with a 6-pounder gun in a new turret. It arrived on the front on June 1942 and took part in the battle of El Alamein and in the campaign in Tunisia.
Identification: The model III had a bigger gun and a turret with a flat front plate, which, for ther rest, is similar to the previous Crusader II

GeneralWeight (combat ready): 20.1 tons
Length: 6.31 meters
Height: 2.24 meters
Width: 2.77 meters
Crew: 3 men

Armor & Weapons6-pounder Mk III ROQF
7.92mm Besa
Maximum Armour: 51 mm
Minimum Armour: 12 mm

PropulsionEngine: Nuffield Liberty Mk IV
Speed (*): 43 kph
Power: 340 HP
Fuel tank: 500 liters
Range (*): 160 km
Mileage (*): 312 liters per 100 km

ProductionFrom: N/A
To: N/A

(*) on road

Production & Usage
	Années 20	1930-35	1936-38	1939	1940	1941	1942				1943		1944	1945

Méditerranée:								.	.	.	.	.

Users: Great Britain

Additional information on the web (for the model): [onwar]

A Crusader III destroyed during the battle of Teburba in Tunisia in December of 1942. The 6-pounder gun and the flat front plate of the turret distinguishes it from the previous model.