In 1936
the British War Office ordered a new infantry and cruiser tank. The
Crusader was ready by July, 1939. It could reach 40mph and was well
armoured and was was used in Tobruk in
June 1941.
Tank crews
soon found out that the Crusader was uncomfortable to operate and
the engine was unreliable. However, it remained the standard British
tank for the remainder of the Desert War.
Between 1939 and 1943 over 5,300 Crusader tanks were built.
The development
of the superior Cromwell
Tank brought
an end to the production of the Crusader.
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