Operation Crusader order of battle facts for kids

Operation Crusader was a major battle during World War II in North Africa. It took place between November 18 and December 30, 1941. In this battle, the British Commonwealth forces fought against the European Axis Powers, mainly Germany and Italy. This text explains which ground forces and their commanders were involved in this important fight.

British and Commonwealth Forces

The overall commander for the British and Commonwealth forces in the Middle East was General Claude Auchinleck.

Senior British commanders during Operation Crusader

General Claude Auchinleck, theatre commander

Lt-General Alan Cunningham, commander Eight Army

Acting Lt-General Neil Ritchie, commander Eighth Army (seen in Europe in 1944)

British Eighth Army

The main fighting force was the Eighth Army. It was first led by Lieutenant-General Alan Cunningham. However, on November 26, General Auchinleck replaced him with Lieutenant-General Neil Ritchie.

XXX Corps

This corps was led by Lieutenant-General Willoughby Norrie. It included several important divisions:

• 7th Armoured Division (Major-General William Gott): This division was known for its tanks. It had several armoured brigades, like the 4th, 7th, and 22nd Armoured Brigades, along with support units.
• 1st South African Division (Major-General George Brink): This division included the 1st South African Infantry Brigade and 5th South African Infantry Brigade, made up of various South African infantry and artillery units.
• 22nd Guards Brigade: This brigade was made up of elite infantry units, including battalions from the Rifle Brigade and Coldstream Guards.

XIII Corps

This corps was commanded by Lieutenant-General Reade Godwin-Austen. Its key divisions were:

• 2nd New Zealand Division (Major-General Bernard Freyberg VC): This division had three infantry brigades (4th, 5th, and 6th New Zealand Infantry Brigades) and various support units, including the famous 28th (Maori) Infantry Battalion.
• 4th Indian Infantry Division (Major-General Frank Messervy): This division included the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade, 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, and 11th Indian Infantry Brigade, with a mix of British and Indian infantry regiments.
• 1st Army Tank Brigade: This brigade was equipped with Valentine and Matilda II infantry tanks, providing heavy support.

Messervy giving orders, December 1941

Tobruk Fortress

The important port of Tobruk was defended by Major-General Ronald Scobie and his forces.

• 70th Infantry Division: This division formed the core of the Tobruk defense, with its 14th, 16th, and 23rd Infantry Brigades.
• Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade: This brigade included Polish and Czechoslovakian infantry battalions, showing the international effort against the Axis.
• 32nd Army Tank Brigade: This brigade provided tank support for the fortress defense.
• 4th Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This unit was crucial for protecting Tobruk from air attacks.

Oasis Force

This smaller force, led by Brigadier Denys Reid, included the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade and the 6th South African Armoured Car Regiment.

Army Reserve

The 2nd South African Division (Major-General Isaac de Villiers) was held in reserve. It consisted of the 3rd, 4th, and 6th South African Infantry Brigades, ready to be called into action.

German and Italian forces

The supreme commander for all Axis forces in North Africa was General Ettore Bastico, who was the Governor-General of Italian Libya.

Ettore Bastico, Governor-General of Italian Libya and commander-in-chief of all Axis forces in North Africa. (seen in August 1942)

Italian XX Corps

This corps, also known as the Mobile Corps (Corpo d'Armata di Manovra), was led by Lieutenant-General Gastone Gambara. It was a key mobile force for the Italians.

• 132nd Armoured Division "Ariete" (General Mario Balotta): This was a powerful Italian armoured division with tank regiments and infantry.
• 101st Motorised Division "Trieste": This division was designed to move quickly, with infantry and artillery units.
• RECAM (Reconnaissance Group of the Mobile Army Corps): This group included light and medium tanks, along with police and infantry battalions, used for scouting and quick attacks.

Panzer Group Africa

Panzer Group Africa was commanded by General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel, one of Germany's most famous generals.

German Afrika Korps

The core of Rommel's forces was the Afrika Korps, commanded by Generalleutnant Ludwig Crüwell.

• 15th Panzer Division (Generalmajor Walter Neumann-Silkow, later Generalmajor Gustav von Vaerst): This was a strong German tank division, with panzer (tank) regiments, infantry, and support units. Its commander, General Neumann-Silkow, was killed during the battle.
• 21st Panzer Division (Generalmajor Johann von Ravenstein, later Generalmajor Karl Böttcher): Another powerful German tank division, similar in structure to the 15th Panzer Division. General von Ravenstein was captured during the fighting.
• Special Purpose Division Afrika (later 90th Light Africa Division) (Generalmajor Max Sümmermann, later Generalmajor Richard Veith): This division was designed for desert warfare, with light infantry and reconnaissance units. Its commander, General Sümmermann, was also killed in action.
• 55th Infantry Division "Savona" (General Fedele de Giorgis): An Italian infantry division that fought alongside the German units, including infantry regiments and machine gun battalions.

Italian XXI Corps

The Italian XXI Corps was commanded by Lieutenant-General Enea Navarini. This corps included several Italian infantry divisions:

• 17th Infantry Division "Pavia": An infantry division with tank and machine gun support.
• 25th Infantry Division "Bologna": Another infantry division with artillery support.
• 27th Infantry Division "Brescia": An infantry division with machine gun and motor artillery support.
• 102nd Motorised Division "Trento": A motorized infantry division designed for faster movement.