A colour photo of a Polish Wz.29 armoured car

This colour photo of a Polish Wz.29 armoured car was taken by the Germans in 1939. The photo appears on a web page dedicated to this armoured car, with career, more photographs, and specifications.

Rates of fire

From my previous wargaming, I think that I remember that the American 37mm gun on the Stuarts had a somewhat higher rate of fire than the British 2pdr gun, used as an anti-tank and tank gun. The 37mm gun also had the advantage of firing capped AP shot, at a time when the British 2pdr gun lacked capped ammunition. In 1970's and into the 1980's, I have done extensive gaming of the North African campaign, using one tank piece or gun per four real tanks. That way, a British unit such as the 3rd RTR, with nominally 52 tanks would be represented by 13 tanks in the game. A field regiment would have 6 25pdr guns, when it actually had 24 guns. We found that ratio worked reasonably well. We finally used a modified version of the Campaign for North Africa order of appearance. It had to be modified due to a few errors that were discovered through research.

Ian Paterson has a nice Marmon-Herrington Mk.II armoured car photo

On his 7th Armoured Division web site, Ian Paterson has a very nice side view photo of a South African-built Marmon-Herrington Mk.II armoured car. This was the sort used by the King's Dragoon Guards.

On the 21st day of the Crusader Battle

Tbe 4th Armoured Brigade had arrived at Bir Belchonus with no mishaps along the way. The force was dispersed, with the 5th RTR being sent to deal with some Italian M13/40s. The "composite squadron" from the 22nd Armoured Brigade was sent off on another operation. The 3rd RTR commander asked Alec Gatehouse if they might have breakfast. Gatehouse allowed them to brew up and cook. They were sent off to the northwest, after eating, at about 9am. Along the way, Robert rescued some handwritten papers from a knocked out Matilda. Later in the day, they ran upon another position with anti-tank guns. This time, they were engaged with 25pdrs. Robert had the chance to read the papers and found that they were poetry. He later found that they had been written by Captain Browne of the 7th RTR. He had been taken prisoner by the Germans. In camp, Robert had the nightly ritual of having Doc MacMillan rebandage his foot. Robert was told that the would be sent you early to find the 22nd Armoured Brigade squadron, which was thought to be "several miles" from where they were camped. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

We are nearing the end of Brazen Chariots

We are getting close to the end of Brazen Chariots. When we finish summarizing it, we will flop back to Vol.III of the Offial History of the War in the Mediterranean and Middle East ("Playfair"). I am still assessing where to go from there. I am interested in a close reading of Springboks in Armour, the book about the South African armoured cars and there are several volumes of the Australian Official History that might be interesting.

Late in the day on the 20th day of the battle and the start of the 21st

After they had rescued the sergeant and his crew, Robert Crisp and Harry Maegraith took them to the battalion headquarters. Due to the season, it was getting dark at 6pm and the fighting gradually stopped. The three squadrons all drove to the 3rd RTR "rallying point". From there, they drove another three miles "to the southeast and safe harbourage". Robert's tank "was one of 4 Honeys that had to be evacuated that night for repairs". During the night, they brought in replacement tanks, including one for Robert. Before they fell asleep, the soldiers heard that they would be moving "at dawn to Bir Belchonfus". They had been in that area before, south of El Gubi. In the morning, they drove to Bir Belchonfus "without serious incident". As usual, the tanks were not used as brigades, but the battalions were sent off on various independent operations. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

By the afternoon of 6 December 1941

Robert Crisp says that the planned attack by the 4th and 22nd Armoured Brigades was stopped, after several Crusaders and a Stuart were knocked out by the German anti-tank guns. They had been running their engines "for over six hours", so they needed to refuel. After an abortive attempt to bring the refuelling trucks forward, they had to send the brigade to the rear, by troop, to refuel. Robert says that he found a great deal of stress relief by leaving the firing range that they were in, "even for ten minutes". There were rumours of a large movement of Axis vehicles northward. They received unwelcome word, a bit later, that Brigadier Gatehouse wanted the 3rd RTR to make some sort of move ("a demonstration against the enemy") to see what sort of response they got. "'C' Squadron was well out on the left flank". As they were getting ready to move, they heard that there were several Pzkw IIIs that appeared to be probing around the flank. They went out and saw them, and saw that they were trying to rescue infantry who were caught in forward trenches. As they saw infantry, Robert, Harry Maegraith, and "his troop sergeant" opened fire. They hit one Pzkw III and saw the crew bail out. Soon, there was black smoke from the hatch. Another Pzkw III fired at them, and then had all three Stuarts shooting at it. They had knocked the second tank out, as well. Soon, they had attracted a good deal of unwanted attention, and accelerated towards their own position. When they arrived, Harry told Robert that his "sergeant's had it". They could see the disabled Stuart, and the shellfire it had attracted. Robert radioed his squadron commander to tell him what had happened. Suddenly, Harry called at Robert. He saw the missing crew running for their position. They pulled them aboard their two tanks and left the area. Robert's Stuart had its water tanks holed and was missing an entire bogie wheel pair. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

The worst sort of battle

Right after talking with General Norrie, Robert Crisp was called back to his Stuart by the radio operator. The 3rd RTR commander was calling, ordering them back to the battalion. Robert reflected on the bad information that must be available at the rear army headquarters that was behind some strange orders. They were sent off on a another bearing. They had just gone a short distance when they ran into the "worst sort of battle". They were supposed to attack enemy tanks, but these were sheltering behind an anti-tank gun screen, reinforced by artillery. The battalion lost four Stuarts in that many minutes. They were finally able to get into cover where they were out of the direct line-of-fire. They could see German and Italian tanks concentrating in the rear. Both sides just sat and waited, firing at long range. Meanwhile, the accompanying Royal Horse Artillery 25pdrs were laying down a barrage. Robert conducted a personal reconnaissance, wiggling forward. He could see the telltale indications that the enemy were refueling. On the basis of Robert's report, Brigadier Gatehouse ordered an attack in concert with the 22nd Armoured Brigade. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

A small armoured car at Sidi Rezegh

On the 19th day of the battle, Robert Crisp was sent off to watch for the supply column coming to replenish the 3rd RTR. He went up to his favorite spot on the Sidi Rezegh escarpment and immediately saw a small vehicle coming from the northern side of the airfield. The vehicle looked like a very small armoured car and Robert had his gunner load the 37mm gun. Robert radioed the HQ and they told him that anything on the field might be enemy. He still felt uneasy and finally could see two men, one of whom "wore a peaked cap, a sheepskin jerkin and a coloured scarf". Robert recognized him as a "Desert Army officer". He told his gunner to unload the weapon. The officer in the car identified himself as General Norrie, the 30th Corps commander. General Norrie informed Robert that they would be moving from the immediate area, as the "corridor's open to Tobruk", and "had been since yesterday evening". General Norrie shook Robert's "hand again and drove off to the southeast". This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

6 December 1941

As the day progressed, Robert Crisp had pulled the stuck Volkswagen staff car out of the sand and had his troop corporal escort the Germans to the 3rd RTR HQ. Right after that, he saw some armoured cars, which proved to be from the 6th SA Armoured Car Regiment. They told Robert that some Germans ran through their unit, and the South Africans had knocked out two German tanks. Late in the day, the 3rd RTR was sent to support a Jock column which was expecting a German tank attack. The attack never happened, but night had fallen before the 3rd RTR could head for camp, which happened by 10pm. The 3rd RTR commander told Robert to tank his troop out at "first light" to watch for the replenishment column. They headed off early, and near sunrise, they had reached the Sidi Rezegh escarpment. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

On the 18th day, and after

The 18th day (5 December 1941) was pivotal. The new style of camping was liked. The 4th Armoured Brigade still did not understand that the battle had shifted dramatically. They were were just dealing with their own concerns. Doc MacMillan was concerned that Robert Crisp's wounded foot was still bleeding. The doctor threatened to send Robert to the rear, if they didn't succeed in stopping the bleeding. Doctor MacMillan finished rebandaging Robert's foot in time to catch the "9 o'clock B.B.C. news". They were an hour later, where they were in Libya. They were up early on 6 December. Robert says that the 6th was the 19th day of the battle. They were ordered to move out, with the 3rd RTR in the lead. They were headed just north of due west. The other two squadrons contacted thirty tanks. Robert guessed that they were Italian, as they quickly withdrew. Suddenly, a Volkswagen was seen headed for them. As soon as the Germans saw Robert's tank, they stopped and raised their hands in surrender. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

So why were the British so badly led in December 1941?

British and Commonwealth soldiers and, indeed, many brigade and division commanders in 1941 were quite competent and seemingly as good as their German counterparts. Bernard Freyberg and Alec Gatehouse are examples. General Gott had a much poorer record, as his mishandling of the 7th Armoured Division near Tobruk was almost fatal. As it was, he squandered the divisional strength. The 30th and 13th Corps commanders are probably as much to blame as Gott. Alan Cunningham was probably better than those who reported directly to him, but he seems to have felt out of his element and relied too much on his subordinate commanders who supposedly had armorued and desert experience. The strain finished him off by late November and Claude Auchinleck replaced him abruptly, when he realized that Cunningham was in terrible shape, and almost not functional.

General Auchinleck put in motion the steps that would win the battle for the British and then backed out again. He felt that being in direct command of the 8th Army was inappropriate for him, despite the fact that he was the only suitable officer present, and appointed Neil Ritchie, a staff officer, to command the army. This would prove to be a great mistake and would result in nearly losing the campaign in mid-1942. I have wondered if General Auchinleck thought that commanding the army was beneath his dignity, given his rank and position.

The 18th day of the battle

On the morning of the 18th day of the Crusader Battle, the 4th Armoured Brigade headed east, to Robert's surprise. They went back to Bir Berraneb, where they had spent a good deal of time. They were to wait for the outcome of fighting around Bir el Gubi, where the 22nd Guards and an Indian brigade were engaged. That fighting did not proceed favorably, as Rommel counterattacked with his remaining armour in the panzer divisions. The Indian brigade retreated towards the 22nd Guard Brigade. Rommel had hoped to fight the British armour, but they were inexplicably camping at Berraneb. This was on the afternoon of 5 December 1941, according to Robert Crisp. At least the British armour was preserved and the Indian brigade escaped serious casualties. Meanwhile, the Italian commander, General Bastico, informed Rommel that the supply lines had been disrupted from Italy, and there would be no major seaborne shipments, for the present. Rommel then informed the Italian general that German armoured strength had fallen to 40 runners from the original 250 tanks. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

Robert Crisp's gunner

On the 17th day of the Crusader Battle (3 December 1941?), when Robert Crisp spoke with his wounded gunner, his gunner asked Robert how he had done. Robert was sorry to lose his gunner, as he was a good man who had done well. Robert assured the gunner that he had done well. Robert says that "the good ones" want to know how they had performed, as they wanted to do well. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

Shot at from El Gubi

The 4th Armoured Brigade had run up to the Trigh Cappuzzo, and then the C Squadron from the 3rd RTR had sent west to find the enemy artillery. They found more than they had bargained for, as Robert Crisp's tank was hit by anti-tank fire. He had started to shoot his machine guns at the anti-tank gun, when his gunner was injured by a hit. At that Robert ordered his driver to reverse as quickly as possible, and get them out of range. Robert radioed ahead for medical attention for the gunner. He saw the other tanks in the troop backing out as he had taught them, and was pleased that the new men had learned from him. Robert and Whaley inspected the tank, looking for the hits. In one case, there was a 37mm shot, embedded in the armour. The armour protection had held. In another case, there was a small, round hole into the tank. They realized that a rivet had been hit and had been melted and gone into the tank. That was what had wounded the gunner. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

Late 1941 and early 1942: a bit like a year later

After the second battle of El Alamein, Rommel was able to execute a gradual withdrawal to the west. Something similar was true in the ending of the Crusader Battle, as well. The main difference was that after El Alamein, the Axis forces were in more serious strategic difficulties, as Russia was going badly and the Americans were landing in Morocco. All Rommel could do then was to withdraw to Tunisia and know that "the game was up". In December 1941 and January 1942, Rommel could stage a careful retreat, eventually back to El Agheila, for a temporary breather and then stage a fresh attack back to Gazala. Because of the general ineptitude of British generalship, Rommel still would come close to winning in North Africa, in the early summer of 1942.

The Axis retreat begins

By 3pm on the 17th Day of the Crusader Battle, Robert Crisp and his fellows learned that there was major German withdrawal from near Bardia. Robert says that Rommel had given up on the hope that he could rescue his troops trapped on the frontier. In response, the 4th Armoured Brigade was ordered to advance to the north. The 3rd RTR was on the left, during the drive northward. The 3rd RTR was in a vulnerable position, as the Ariete Division was in a position to attack, if they had wanted to do so. Usually, they were not concerned about artillery fire, but on this occasion, the shellfire was so heavy that they were constantly on the move to try and evade the enemy artillery. C Squadron, 3rd RTR, was sent out "on the left" to find and attack the enemy artillery. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

The start of the 17th day of the Crusader Battle (3 December 1941?)

By the start of day 17 of the Crusader Battle, the character of the operation changed dramatically. The frantic dashing around the battlefield, back and forth, had ceased. Instead, they were involved in assaulting rearguards, turning movements, and deep penetration. Robert Crisp writes that the troops sensed they had won the battle, and received a boost in morale and energy form that realization. The 3rd RTR had driven away from their camp to their initial position "by 7 o'clock". The received notice that this had not turned into a route, as "the leading squadron ran slap into an antitank screen, and had four Honeys knocked out". Robert Crisp was happy to not have been the target and sat while the 25pdr guns fired on the anti-tank position. The Germans were reduced to responding to tank force concentrations by firing artillery, rather than attacking with tanks forces. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots.

Towards evening

Robert Crisp had been sitting all afternoon, observing the big German force moving eastward. As the sun was setting, he was dismayed to see two German tanks headed his way. He called to his crew, and they got on board the tank. Robert instructed his driver, Whaley, to slowly reverse, so that they could try not to attract attention. Robert thought that the fire that they had used to brew up might have attracted the Germans. Suddenly, Robert's Stuart gave the tell-tale signal that they had run out of fuel. He was somewhat relieved when he saw the German tanks stop, about 400 yards away. Robert called on the radio, letting them know at the battalion, that he had run out of fuel. His new Squadron commander called to tell Robert that he would personally come and tow him in to camp. After "Withers" had arrived and hooked them up, they were being towed back. At that point, they realized that they had left their kettle and tea behind. This is based on the account in Robert Crisp's book Brazen Chariots. This seems to have been the evening of the 16th day of the battle, probably 2 December 1941.

Ian Paterson also tells the story of events, starting on 2 December 1941

One Ian Paterson's "Battles 1941" page, he also tells the story about events that comments on 2 December 1941. He says that the Germans had decided by then to withdraw from the Tobruk seige and to abandon their garrisons on the frontier. From Brazen Chariots, it seems that the Germans may have made one last attempt to rescue their troops on the frontier, given that Robert Crisp saw the force heading east. Ian says that the German withdrawal only started on 5 December, and was a well-conducted operation, not a rout. I estimate the 2 December 1941 was the 16th day of Operation Crusader, which is the way that Robert Crisp generally speaks of the date in Brazen Chariots.