All Battles

Operation Crusader

1941 Kyrenaika Panzerschlacht

AfricaMap3

AfricaMap3

Author: UnknownLicense:PD
Source
Africa Settentrionale prigionieri del Commonwealth catturati nel novembre 1941 dall armata italo tedesca

Africa Settentrionale prigionieri del Commonwealth catturati nel novembre 1941 dall armata italo tedesca

Author: Unknown authorUnknown authorLicense:PD
Source
Italian mobile artillery unit in the Bir el Gobi desert

Italian mobile artillery unit in the Bir el Gobi desert

Author: Unknown authorUnknown authorLicense:PD
Source
אזור גבול מצרים-לוב ערב מבצע צלבן.

אזור גבול מצרים-לוב ערב מבצע צלבן.

Author: InfidelLicense:PD
Source
For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Prop.-Kp. PZ, Afrika
Film-Nr.: 73/39
Bildberichter: Moosmüller
Ort: Afrika
Datum 21.11.41

General [Erwin] Rommel im Hauptquartier des ital. Armeekorps. Kartenbesprechung mit dem ital. Armeegeneral [Enea] Navarini u. dem Verbindungsoffizier Oberst Diesener

For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Prop.-Kp. PZ, Afrika Film-Nr.: 73/39 Bildberichter: Moosmüller Ort: Afrika Datum 21.11.41 General [Erwin] Rommel im Hauptquartier des ital. Armeekorps. Kartenbesprechung mit dem ital. Armeegeneral [Enea] Navarini u. dem Verbindungsoffizier Oberst Diesener

Author: MoosmüllerLicense:CC-BY-SA-4.0
Source
For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Prop.-Kp. PZ. Afr.
Film-Nr: 1/28    Bildberichter: Vielmetti
Ort: [Nordafrika] El, Aden
Datum 29.11.41

General [Erwin] Rommel an der Front südl-Tobruck

For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Prop.-Kp. PZ. Afr. Film-Nr: 1/28 Bildberichter: Vielmetti Ort: [Nordafrika] El, Aden Datum 29.11.41 General [Erwin] Rommel an der Front südl-Tobruck

Author: Vielmetti, HugoLicense:CC-BY-SA-4.0
Source
A British Crusader tank passes an abandoned German Panzer IV Ausf.A in November 1941.

A British Crusader tank passes an abandoned German Panzer IV Ausf.A in November 1941.

Author: Australian armed forcesLicense:PD
Source
Map depicting the attack plan for Operation Crusader, 17 November 1941

Map depicting the attack plan for Operation Crusader, 17 November 1941

Author: FarawaymanLicense:PD
Source
British Crusader tank passes a burning German Panzer IV tank during Operation Crusader

British Crusader tank passes a burning German Panzer IV tank during Operation Crusader

Author: Lt. L. B. Davies – No 1 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
Damaged German Panzer IIIs in the "Valley of Death" near Belhamed, Libya, during "Operation Crusader".

Damaged German Panzer IIIs in the "Valley of Death" near Belhamed, Libya, during "Operation Crusader".

Author: Australian armed forcesLicense:PD
Source
Damaged German Panzer IIIs in the "Valley of Death" near Belhamed, Libya, during "Operation Crusader".

Damaged German Panzer IIIs in the "Valley of Death" near Belhamed, Libya, during "Operation Crusader".

Author: Australian armed forcesLicense:PD
Source
COMMONWEALTH FORCES IN NORTH AFRICA 1941. New Zealander soldiers recapture a Matilda tank, previously captured by the Germans, and take prisoner its German crew. It had been knocked out by an anti-tank gun after an attempt to break through the Allied lines, 3 December 1941.

COMMONWEALTH FORCES IN NORTH AFRICA 1941. New Zealander soldiers recapture a Matilda tank, previously captured by the Germans, and take prisoner its German crew. It had been knocked out by an anti-tank gun after an attempt to break through the Allied lines, 3 December 1941.

Author: Silk G (Australian Photo Unit)License:PD
Source
Italian convoy sailing towards North Africa 1941

Italian convoy sailing towards North Africa 1941

Author: Unknown authorUnknown authorLicense:PD
Source
IWM caption : THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1941. Crusader tanks moving to forward positions in the Western Desert.

IWM caption : THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1941. Crusader tanks moving to forward positions in the Western Desert.

Author: Clements (Lieut), No 1 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
IWM-E-6820-Marmon-Herrington-19411028

IWM-E-6820-Marmon-Herrington-19411028

Author: UnknownLicense:PD
Source
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1941; AEC Dorchester armoured command vehicle and staff.

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1941; AEC Dorchester armoured command vehicle and staff.

Author: Keating G, (Capt), No 1 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
IWM caption : THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1941; A Crusader tank being put on a transporter ready to be taken back to the forward areas after receiving repair work at a tank repair depot

IWM caption : THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1941; A Crusader tank being put on a transporter ready to be taken back to the forward areas after receiving repair work at a tank repair depot

Author: Cash (Lieut), No 1 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
Disposició de les forces britàniques el vespre del 18 de novembre de 1941 amb les zones fortificades per les forces de l'Eix

Disposició de les forces britàniques el vespre del 18 de novembre de 1941 amb les zones fortificades per les forces de l'Eix

Author: Military Intelligence Service War Department Washington, April 15, 1942License:PD
Source
A group of Sikh soldiers from the British Indian Army during Operation Crusader.

A group of Sikh soldiers from the British Indian Army during Operation Crusader.

Author: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/main.php?g2_itemId=755License:PD
Source
A knocked-out German Panzer III Ausf. H from the 15th Panzerdivision in Libya.

A knocked-out German Panzer III Ausf. H from the 15th Panzerdivision in Libya.

Author: Australian armed forcesLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943.
A petrol tanker and trailer on fire on the road between Homs and Misurata, Libya, after an attack by Bristol Blenheims interdicting enemy fuel supplies in support of Operation CRUSADER.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. A petrol tanker and trailer on fire on the road between Homs and Misurata, Libya, after an attack by Bristol Blenheims interdicting enemy fuel supplies in support of Operation CRUSADER.

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943.
Pilots of No. 80 Squadron RAF gather in front of one of their Hawker Hurricane Mark Is at a landing ground in the Western Desert, during Operation CRUSADER.  In the middle of the group, wearing a white flying overall and smoking a pipe, is Squadron Leader M M Stephens, who commanded the Squadron from November until 9 December 1941 when he was shot down and wounded.  During CRUSADER,  80 Squadron acted in close support of the Army, their Hurricane fighters being fitted with bomb racks to carry four 40 lb GP bombs, as seen here.  Their first effective sorties as fighter-bombers were conducted against enemy vehicles south of Bir el Baheira on 20 November.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Pilots of No. 80 Squadron RAF gather in front of one of their Hawker Hurricane Mark Is at a landing ground in the Western Desert, during Operation CRUSADER. In the middle of the group, wearing a white flying overall and smoking a pipe, is Squadron Leader M M Stephens, who commanded the Squadron from November until 9 December 1941 when he was shot down and wounded. During CRUSADER, 80 Squadron acted in close support of the Army, their Hurricane fighters being fitted with bomb racks to carry four 40 lb GP bombs, as seen here. Their first effective sorties as fighter-bombers were conducted against enemy vehicles south of Bir el Baheira on 20 November.

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943.
Bombs exploding on Bardia and its harbour during a daylight attack by bombers of No. 3 Wing SAAF, in support of Operation CRUSADER.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Bombs exploding on Bardia and its harbour during a daylight attack by bombers of No. 3 Wing SAAF, in support of Operation CRUSADER.

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Senussi tomb south of Tobruk. Scenario of various combats during Operation Crusader

Senussi tomb south of Tobruk. Scenario of various combats during Operation Crusader

Author: Unknown authorUnknown authorLicense:PD
Source
Battlefield remains at Sidi Regez, Western Desert, 1941

Battlefield remains at Sidi Regez, Western Desert, 1941

Author: Official photographer (not cited in source)License:PD
Source

Historical Overview

British offensive to relieve Tobruk.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Allied victory.

UK

  • Commander: Claude Auchinleck
  • Strength: 118000
  • Casualties: ca. 17.000

Afrika Korps

  • Commander: Erwin Rommel
  • Strength: 119000
  • Casualties: ca. 38.000

Strategic Context

First major setback for the Afrika Korps.

Related Literature

Cover of Berlin: The Downfall 1945

Berlin: The Downfall 1945

Antony Beevor

Non-fictionWW2WW2 Eastern Front

English
World Wars Era
Cover of Gulag: A History

Gulag: A History

Non-fiction20th CenturySoviet Union

English
World Wars Era
Cover of Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine

Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine

Non-fiction20th CenturySoviet Union

English
World Wars Era
Cover of Stalingrad

Stalingrad

Antony Beevor

WW2ReportWW2 Eastern Front

English
World Wars Era
Cover of The Gulag Archipelago

The Gulag Archipelago

Non-fiction20th CenturySoviet Union

English
World Wars Era
Cover of Der Gulag

Der Gulag

Non-fiction20th CenturySoviet Union

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Die Schlacht um Berlin und das Ende des Dritten Reichs 1945

Die Schlacht um Berlin und das Ende des Dritten Reichs 1945

Non-fictionWW2WW2 Eastern Front

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben: ein Stalingrad-Roman

Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben: ein Stalingrad-Roman

WW2WW2 Eastern FrontHistorical Noval

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Roter Hunger: Stalins Krieg gegen die Ukraine

Roter Hunger: Stalins Krieg gegen die Ukraine

Non-fiction20th CenturySoviet Union

German
World Wars Era
Cover of So weit die Füße tragen

So weit die Füße tragen

20th CenturySoviet UnionGulag

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Söldner ohne Sold: Die deutschen Freikorps 1918–1923

Söldner ohne Sold: Die deutschen Freikorps 1918–1923

Report20th CenturyGerman History

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Vom Massensturm zur Stoßtrupptaktik: Die deutsche Landkriegtaktik im Spiegel von Dienstvorschriften und Publizistik 1906 bis 1918

Vom Massensturm zur Stoßtrupptaktik: Die deutsche Landkriegtaktik im Spiegel von Dienstvorschriften und Publizistik 1906 bis 1918

Non-fiction20th CenturyGerman History

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Wir Wehr-Wölfe: Erinnerungen eines Freikorps-Führers

Wir Wehr-Wölfe: Erinnerungen eines Freikorps-Führers

Report20th CenturyGerman History

German
World Wars Era
Cover of Zweiter Weltkrieg Erlebnisbericht Apokalypse Stalingrad: Untergang der 6. Armee 1942-1943

Zweiter Weltkrieg Erlebnisbericht Apokalypse Stalingrad: Untergang der 6. Armee 1942-1943

Walter Mönch

Non-fictionWW2WW2 Eastern Front

German
World Wars Era
Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich

Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich

William Shirer

20th CenturyGerman HistoryNational Socialism

World Wars Era

Historical Locations

Interactive map requires third-party cookie consent.