Tankopedia
WW2MediumMedium TankUnited Kingdom

Crusader (Cruiser Mk VI)

In service 1941 - 1943

The fast desert cruiser of Crusader and Alamein - quick across sand, forever breaking down.

Built byNuffield Mechanizations

Crusader (Cruiser Mk VI)
Crusader Mk III — Alan Wilson, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Development history

The Crusader was the definitive British cruiser tank of the desert war: low, fast on Christie suspension, and named after the 1941 offensive it led. Its Liberty engine's cooling fans and water pumps failed constantly in dust, and the 2-pdr gun had no useful high-explosive shell, so crews fought at a disadvantage against German armour paired with anti-tank guns. Upgunned Mk III versions with the 6-pdr fought at El Alamein before the Sherman took over; Crusader hulls continued as anti-aircraft tanks, gun tractors and recovery vehicles.

Variants

One canonical record, 4 recorded variants.

  1. Crusader I

    1941

    2-pdr gun and auxiliary machine-gun turret

  2. Crusader II

    1941

    Thicker frontal armour, auxiliary turret usually removed

  3. Crusader III

    1942

    6-pdr gun in a revised turret, crew of three

  4. Crusader AA Mk I-III

    1943

    Bofors or twin/triple Oerlikon anti-aircraft mounts

Notable actions

  • Operation Crusader
  • Battle of Gazala
  • Second Battle of El Alamein
  • Tunisia Campaign