Crusader, Operation

In World War II, British operation in Libya Nov-Dec 1941 to relieve the besieged garrison of Tobruk and destroy the German Afrika Korps. Although the Afrika Korps were not destroyed, German and Italian forces suffered heavy losses and the siege of Tobruk was lifted.

Axis losses in ‘Crusader’ amounted to 38,000 troops and 300 tanks, while British losses came to 18,000 troops and 278 tanks.