A Crusader tank in the Egyptian desert, 1942 circa (b/w photo)

A Crusader tank in the Egyptian desert, 1942 circa. Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North Africa (1940-1943), 1942 circa. The crew are named as ‘Bill Palmer, Norrie Allison, Peter Randell, Geof Fiske, Don Ross’. The 18-ton Crusader first saw action in 1941. It was fitted with 30 mm thick armour plate and equipped with a two pounder gun. Later variants were upgraded to a six pounder gun and had 51 mm thick armour. The Crusader was the standard British Army tank during the North African campaign, but was later replaced by the Sherman. From an album containing 182 group photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).