The XXX Corps in Operation Crusader Quiz

Answer: The Polish Carpathian Brigade

At the time of Crusader Tobruk was under siege but technically the forces there formed part of the Eight Army. Tobruk was manned by the 32nd Tank Brigade and the Australian 9th Division which was in the process of being relieved by the British 70th Infantry Division and the Polish Carpathian Brigade. Thus the Polish Brigade was on paper part of Eight Army but not a element of XXX Corps.

Answer: Major-General W.H.E. Gott

Newton-King commanded the 4th South African Armoured Car Regiment as part of the 4th Armoured Brigade Group with Brigadier Gatehouse as commander. General Brink was in command of the 1st South African Infantry Division.

Answer: Brigadier J.C.O. Marriott

Sir John Charles Oakes Marriott (1895-1978), a veteran of WW1 commanded the 22nd Guards from October 1941. The Brigade was later renamed 200th and later the 201st Guards Brigade. The Brigade was forced to surrender when Tobruk was captured in 1942, but Marriott managed to avoid capture.

After returning to England he took command of the 32nd Guards Brigade in 1942, then became Deputy Director of Infantry at the War Office.

Answer: The destruction of the Axis Armour

Most sources (including Wikipedia) agree that Crusader was an Allied victory, though their initial object of destroying the Axis armour was not achieved. The Allies received a severe mauling by the German Panzers at Sidi Rezegh which saw the destruction of the 5th South African Brigade and the 2nd New Zealand Division severely mauled.

The second objective, to relieve Tobruk was achieved on 27 November and Rommel's forces, losing most of the gains achieved in previous months, were pushed back to El Agheila.

The victory, though crucial, was a limited one for Rommel: his armoured force was hammered but intact and was not defeated in the desert - by a long shot.

Answer: 2nd Battalion, Regiment Botha

The 5th South African Infantry Brigade, despite desperate and courageous fighting with few anti-tank weapons and virtually no armoured support (mainly due to mis-communications), was severely mauled by the German Panzers at Sidi Resegh suffering casualties and captured POW's to the tune of 70% of its strength. Its commander was Brigadier B.F. Armstrong.

Answer: Henry Dinham Drew

Henry Dinham Drew had served as a Major with the Devonshire Regiment at end of World War One. The other names where made up.

Answer: Cruisers and Mathilda II's

Of the Cruiser tanks used (339 of various models) 210 were of the latest A15 Crusader models, after which the Operation was named. The majority of the Infantry tanks was Mathilda II's. M3 Stuarts and a variety of other light tanks was also pushed into service, bringing the total amount of tanks available to XXX Corps to 477.

Answer: The Desert Rats

With the motto "All of one company" they where also known as The Green or Jungle Rats after they were deployed to Burma in 1942. In 1990 they returned to the desert as part of Operation Granby during the Iraq war. After being involved in Kuwait, the Balkans and Afghanistan, to name but a few campaigns, the Brigade was re designated as the 7th Infantry Brigade in 2013.

It will however retain their famous "Rat" insignia.

Answer: John Charles Campbell

J.C. "Jock" Campbell, holder of the Victoria Cross, died in a vehicle accident near Halfaya on 26 February 1942. (It is not clear if the Jock Columns were named after him).

Answer: Rampant Boar

The Rampant Boar represented XXX Corps during World War Two. Its distinguished commanders include Major-General William Havelock Ramsden (1888-1969), Lieutenant- General Sir Oliver Leese (1894-1978), Lieutenant-General Gerald "Gerry" Bucknall (1894-1980) and Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Horrocks (1895-1985).