ABSTRACT
Planning for Operation Crusader was in full swing during October.1 Its chief aim was to drive Rommel out of Cyrenaica and thereby relieve Tobruk, which hitherto had absorbed so much naval and air effort: no fewer than 25 ships had been sunk and nine seriously damaged while attempting to supply the fortress, relieve its garrison or carry away sick and wounded.2 In addition, the passage of British shipping through the Mediterranean would be eased by capturing ports and airfields along the Libyan coast. Strong forces were to be sent towards Tobruk – 30 Corps, with all the best tanks – aided by a well-timed sally from the Tobruk garrison. Meanwhile, the other main army formation – 13 Corps – was to contain and cut off enemy forces holding the frontier defences, and then advance to assist 30 Corps.3
