Crusader
Cruiser tank Mk VI (A15)

Crusader Mk I

Crusader (A15)
Type: British cruiser tank Mk VI
History: The original A15 design for a '1938 Class Medium Tank' was delayed in the planning stage due to uncertainties of requirements, and was re-designated. The approval to go ahead for the A15 was given in July 1939 with an initial order for 200 tanks plus the pilot model. This latter was ready by March 1940. In mid 1940 the order for A15s was increased to 400, then to 1062, and Nuffields became the 'parent' company to a group of nine companies engaged in A15 production. The new tank was named Crusader in late 1940. Total output until 1943 was 5,300 vehicles.

Crusader I with auxiliary front machine gun turret.

Though most of the initial defects were overcome to an extent, the Crusader always suffered from unreliability and the speed and urgency with which it was rushed into production did not allow long development trials, particularly for desert operations, where the Crusader became the principal British tank from Spring 1941 onwards. It first saw action near Capuzzo in June 1941, was prominent in all the major North African desert actions which followed, and was still in service, in its later 6pdr-armed form at the time of the Battle of Alamein in October 1942, though by then in the process of being displaced by American-built M3 Grant and M4 Sherman mediums. The last Crusaders in North Africa were finally withdrawn from first line use in May 1943.

Crusader II CS in the Western Desert, 1942.

The Germans respected the Crusader for its speed, but it was no match for the PzKpfw III with 50mm gun, its main desert opponent, in hitting power, armour thickness, or serviceability. The German 50mm, 75mm and 88mm anti-tank guns also had no trouble in picking off Crusaders in the desert fighting.

Mail has arrived for this crew of a Crusader III with 6-pdr gun from 6th Armoured Division, Tunisia winter 1942-43.

Main variants:
Crusader I (Cruiser Mk VI): Original production model with 2pdr gun and auxiliary front machine gun turret, which was later removed on some vehicles in service.

Crusader I CS (Cruiser Mk VI CS): As above but with 3in howitzer (76.2mm) replacing 2pdr gun for close support role.

Crusader II (Cruiser Mk VIA): As Crusader I but with front machine gun turret eliminated during course of production programme. Extra frontal armour on turret and hull.

Crusader II CS (Cruiser Mk VIA CS): As Cruiser I CS with improvements as for standard Mk II.

Crusader III: Final production version with 6pdr gun replacing 2pdr weapon, and increased armour on hull and turret and other parts of hull. Prototype tested November-December 1941. In production from May 1942 and 144 completed by July 1942.

Users: UK (for all variants).

3d model of Crusader Mk I

This 3d model is a current element of the WW2 game WW2 Total. The data for production, movement and combat of the Axis and Allies units are here !

Crusader Mk III from RAC Tank Museum, Bovington Camp, Dorset (UK)

Crusader III with Vickers 'K' gun anti-aircraft mount on turret.