Crusader

British Cruiser Tank Mk VI (A15) Crusader of World War II.
History, development, service, specifications, statistics, pictures and 3D model.

Crusader I-III, Cruiser Tank Mk VI (A15)

Crusader (A15)
Type: British cruiser tank Mk VI

The British Crusader tank was a cruiser tank used during World War II.

Overview

Development: It was developed in the late 1930s and entered service in 1941.

Classification: The Crusader was a “cruiser tank,” designed for speed and maneuverability rather than heavy armor.

Variants: There were several variants, including:
– Crusader I
– Crusader II
– Crusader III (with improved armament)

Armament:
– Crusader I and II: 2-pounder (40mm) gun
– Crusader III: 6-pounder (57mm) gun

Speed: It could reach speeds of up to 26 mph (42 km/h), making it one of the faster tanks of its time.

Armor: Relatively thin armor, which was a weakness against German anti-tank weapons.

Use: Primarily used in the North African Campaign, where its speed was an advantage in desert warfare.

Performance: Initially performed well against Italian tanks but struggled against later German tanks like the Panzer III and Panzer IV.

Reliability: Known for mechanical issues, particularly in the harsh desert conditions.

Legacy: While obsolete by 1943 for frontline combat, the Crusader chassis was adapted for other roles, such as anti-aircraft and artillery tractor variants.

The Crusader played a significant role in the early stages of the North African Campaign but was gradually replaced by more powerful tanks as the war progressed.

History

The genuine A15 model as a ‘1938 Class Medium Tank’ had been postponed in the preparation phase because of concerns regarding specifications, and it was re-designated. The authorization to go forward for the A15 was provided in July 1939 having a primary acquire for Two hundred tanks as well as the pilot unit. The pilot model had been available by March 1940. In mid-1940 the request for A15s was raised to four hundred, after that to 1062, and Nuffields took over as ‘parent’ enterprise to a number of 9 firms involved in A15 manufacturing. The new tank was designated Crusader at the end of 1940. Total output till 1943 was 5,300 tanks.

However, the majority of the original flaws had been fixed to a degree, the Crusader constantly been hit by unreliability and the tempo and emergency with which it had been hurried into manufacturing didn’t enable extended development trials, especially for desert operations, where the Crusader took over as primary British tank from Spring 1941 onwards. It initials saw combat near Capuzzo in June 1941, was notable in all the significant North African desert battles which followed, and was still operating, in its later 6pdr-armed variety during the time of the Battle of Alamein in October 1942, however at that time in the process of being replaced by American-built M3 Grant and M4 Sherman medium tanks. The final Crusaders in North Africa were ultimately removed from first line use in May 1943.

The Germans regarded the Crusader because of its speed, but it was no match for the Panzer III with 50 mm gun, its primary desert adversary, in striking power, armor thickness, or serviceability. The German 50 mm, 75 mm and 88 mm anti-tank guns furthermore didn’t have any difficulty in destroying the Crusaders during the desert battles.

Crusader I with auxiliary front machine gun turret.

Crusader II CS in the Western Desert, 1942.

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

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

Crusader Mk I (3d model)

Main versions

Crusader I (Cruiser Mk VI): Initial production type with 2-pounder gun as well as auxiliary front machine gun turret, which was later eliminated on some tanks operating.

Crusader I CS (Cruiser Mk VI CS): As above however with 3in howitzer (76.2 mm) exchanging 2-pounder gun for close support actions.

Crusader II (Cruiser Mk VIA): As Crusader I however with front machine gun turret removed in the course of the manufacturing process. Additional frontal armor on turret and hull.

Crusader II CS (Cruiser Mk VIA CS): As Cruiser I CS with upgrades as for typical Mk II.

Crusader III: Ultimate manufacturing model with 6-pounder gun exchanging 2pdr weapon, and improved armor on hull and turret along with other areas of hull. Prototype tested November-December 1941. In manufacturing from May 1942 and 144 finished by July 1942.

Users: UK (for all variants).

Animated 3D model Crusader Mk I

Specifications for Crusader Mk II (Cruiser Mk VIA)

Specifications:

Armor:

Armament and Equipment:

Penetration mm at 30° armor plates of the gun:

Production:

Service statistics of all Cruiser Tank Mk VI (A15) variants:

References and literature

Panzer und andere Kampffahrzeuge von 1916 bis heute (Christopher F. Foss, John F. Milsom, Colonel John Stafford Weeks, Captain Georffrey Tillotson, Richard M. Ogorkiewicz)
Krieg der Panzer (Piekalkiewicz)
British and American Tanks of World War II (Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis)
The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II (Chris Bishop)