OPERATION CRUSADER BY NUMBERS
Directed at relieving the beleaguered garrison at Tobruk, Operation Crusader became known for its see-saw engagements as gains were reversed as quickly as they were made. Tom Baker deciphers the chaos
THE BRITISH ENJOYED A HEALTHY ADVANTAGE IN TANK NUMBERS PRIOR TO OPERATION CRUSADER
NIDAY PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY
10½ hours
Time was a precious commodity in the desert. Circa November 1941, Allied planners had just 10½ hours of daylight available and with the onset of darkness and extreme cold a prerequisite was to keep operations to daylight hours.
