Attached is page 2 of an Appendix from 65 Canadian Anti-Tank Battery, 5 Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment dated 31st March 1945. The Crusader Gun Towers appear to have almost made it to wars end, at least with 5 Cdn A/T Regiment. I was not aware that they were so unreliable. I have seen the odd photo of half-tracks used as gun towers in Italy but not that many in Europe. Cheers Kevin Although it appears not ideal.
The Crusader had issues. http://rommelsriposte.com/2011/10/22/some-more-on-the-mechanical-reliability-of-crusader-tanks/ http://rommelsriposte.com/2009/01/11/mechanical-issues-of-britishus-tanks-during-crusader/ http://rommelsriposte.com/2014/04/13/some-more-on-problems-with-cruiser-tanks/ Best technical history: http://rommelsriposte.com/2020/03/2...iser-mk-vi-crusader-tank-a-technical-history/ All the best Andreas
The general survey by 21 Army Group's AFV (Tech) organisation (i.e. Ministry of Supply liaison) at the end of the war indicated that the surviving Crusader Gun Tractors had achieved up to 2000 miles and had been generally pretty reliable. That said, they may have only surveyed British A/Tk regiments. Generally though, this vehicle was basically a tank, and needed tank levels of care and maintenance so wasn't ideal for the job. So it's difficult to say if any lack of reliability was inherent or whether it was due to a lack of overhauls or poor maintenance etc.
I think they can to a great extent, because issuing brand new vehicles to a well trained unit is very different to issuing worn out vehicles to an untrained unit. Not that I think that this is necessarily what occurred on this occasion. The Gun Tractor was quite a bit more durable than the gun tank because it had better air cleaners, which were relocated to a more appropriate location on the vehicle, and so were better shielded from dust. There had also been quite a few improvements to other components as well. I've picked up quite a few comments and reports on the Crusader Gun Tractor, and the gist seems to be generally positive, but far from comprehensively so.
Hello Kevin, By any chance would you have a picture of the crusader gun tower? We are doing research on a gunner and driver with the 5th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, who lost his life on February 27, 1945, who likely would have been in one of these machines. We just aren't sure if this is the same as a crusader tank or something a bit different. Thanks for any help. Pieter
Hi Pieter, I have looked through my census number database for 5th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment and found the following Crusader Gun Towers. 65 Battery CT123863, 123866, 125253, 1252712, 126631, 126669, 127135 (knocked out – mined Poppel Belgium 6/12/44) Unknown Battery CT123835, 123872, 123874, 123879, 123883, 124942, 124991, 124992, 124996, 125000, 125004, 125262, 125739, 125757, 126625, 126642, 126647, 126649, 126654, 126689, 127034, 127235 Not sure if these are of any use or interest. Cheers Kevin
Thank you very much Kevin. This is very helpful information, and know we know for sure that a crusader tower was a tank. That's what I thought it was but just wasn't sure. Pieter
It also lacked a turret, thus lighter, and with less strain on its automotive components, more reliable as a result.
There's a video about the history of the Crusader Gun Tractor on Youtube here: Absolutely everything you could possibly want to know about it here.
"Fan belt problems and no room to work on the 1918 design V12 Liberty engine ...... " 25 year old design was obsolete then. Now Abrams is 43 years old. Bradley is 42. F-16 is 50. USS Nimitz has been in commission for 49 years so is older than any capital ship was in WWII. Did technology ever evolve as fast as it did in WWII? Biplanes to jets.
Thank you! This is very helpful and clears up the confusion as to what it actually would have been used for in 1945! Pieter
The war diary for the 5th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment for the period circa 27th February 1945 can be found here: War diaries : T-16717 - Héritage Their 65th Battery's diary (Crusaders) is here: War diaries : T-16717 - Héritage While their 3rd Battery's diary (Crusaders) is here: War diaries : T-16717 - Héritage
By the way, on 27th February the 5th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment were taking part in Operation Blockbuster: Operation Blockbuster | Then and Now - Battlefield Tours