As Operation CRUSADER started about 43 years ago, we are giving this a try. Let’s start with a picture of the best #tank of #ww2, the Valentine, which saw its first combat action in the #desertwar in 1941.
November 20, 2024 at 8:46 AM
As Operation CRUSADER started about 43 years ago, we are giving this a try. Let’s start with a picture of the best #tank of #ww2, the Valentine, which saw its first combat action in the #desertwar in 1941.
Reading the report by OC 69 Inf Bde on the preparation for MANHOOD and Jesus Christ #EighthArmy was a shitshow during First Alamein.
#desertwar #ww2 #afrikakorps #elalamein #rommel
#desertwar #ww2 #afrikakorps #elalamein #rommel
December 30, 2024 at 8:19 AM
Reading the report by OC 69 Inf Bde on the preparation for MANHOOD and Jesus Christ #EighthArmy was a shitshow during First Alamein.
#desertwar #ww2 #afrikakorps #elalamein #rommel
#desertwar #ww2 #afrikakorps #elalamein #rommel
This Bluesky feed serves to disseminate information and new posts related to Operation CRUSADER, the #desertwar in WW2 and #ww2 in general.
If desert #armour warfare, surrendering Germans, and challenges to preconceived ideas about the Italians are your thing, you might want to give us a follow.
If desert #armour warfare, surrendering Germans, and challenges to preconceived ideas about the Italians are your thing, you might want to give us a follow.
December 10, 2024 at 12:05 PM
This Bluesky feed serves to disseminate information and new posts related to Operation CRUSADER, the #desertwar in WW2 and #ww2 in general.
If desert #armour warfare, surrendering Germans, and challenges to preconceived ideas about the Italians are your thing, you might want to give us a follow.
If desert #armour warfare, surrendering Germans, and challenges to preconceived ideas about the Italians are your thing, you might want to give us a follow.
Everyone: North Africa didn't really matter, the Germans were totally focused on invading the Soviet Union, what a sideshow, ugh...
The Germans: One in eight of our tanks will go to North Africa.
#WW2 #desertwar
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
The Germans: One in eight of our tanks will go to North Africa.
#WW2 #desertwar
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
rommelsriposte.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Everyone: North Africa didn't really matter, the Germans were totally focused on invading the Soviet Union, what a sideshow, ugh...
The Germans: One in eight of our tanks will go to North Africa.
#WW2 #desertwar
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
The Germans: One in eight of our tanks will go to North Africa.
#WW2 #desertwar
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
Today in ‘Straight outta Hackney’ we have a hipster barber doing a hipster beard in North Africa in front of his Barber Bunker, a new take on ‘Shoreditch Chique’.
ECPAD via Facebook.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @rgpoulussen.bsky.social
#ww2 #beards #history #desertwar #afrikakorps #militaryhistory
ECPAD via Facebook.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @rgpoulussen.bsky.social
#ww2 #beards #history #desertwar #afrikakorps #militaryhistory
January 31, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Today in ‘Straight outta Hackney’ we have a hipster barber doing a hipster beard in North Africa in front of his Barber Bunker, a new take on ‘Shoreditch Chique’.
ECPAD via Facebook.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @rgpoulussen.bsky.social
#ww2 #beards #history #desertwar #afrikakorps #militaryhistory
ECPAD via Facebook.
@cedricmas.bsky.social @rgpoulussen.bsky.social
#ww2 #beards #history #desertwar #afrikakorps #militaryhistory
Happy ‘End of the 1st Battle of El Alamein’ day to all who celebrate.
Which, I suppose, includes both Rommel and Auchinleck, as they would have been happy as Larry that this shitshow was over.
@alanallport.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#ww2 #milhist #desertwar
Which, I suppose, includes both Rommel and Auchinleck, as they would have been happy as Larry that this shitshow was over.
@alanallport.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#ww2 #milhist #desertwar
1st Battle of El Alamein
Introduction This is a new, small project, in which we are translating the daily reports sent by the HQ of the German-Italian Panzerarmee to Berlin. ULTRA Many, if not all of these reports were read in Bletchley Park, and the content communicated to Cairo to support…
Introduction This is a new, small project, in which we are translating the daily reports sent by the HQ of the German-Italian Panzerarmee to Berlin. ULTRA Many, if not all of these reports were read in Bletchley Park, and the content communicated to Cairo to support…
1st Battle of El Alamein
Introduction This is a new, small project, in which we are translating the daily reports sent by the HQ of the German-Italian Panzerarmee to Berlin. ULTRA Many, if not all of these reports were read in Bletchley Park, and the content communicated to Cairo to support operations of Middle East Command. Due to the inevitable delay, they were rarely of tactical value in a fast-moving combat situation, but highly valuable in operational terms.
rommelsriposte.com
July 27, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Happy ‘End of the 1st Battle of El Alamein’ day to all who celebrate.
Which, I suppose, includes both Rommel and Auchinleck, as they would have been happy as Larry that this shitshow was over.
@alanallport.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#ww2 #milhist #desertwar
Which, I suppose, includes both Rommel and Auchinleck, as they would have been happy as Larry that this shitshow was over.
@alanallport.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#ww2 #milhist #desertwar
Refurbishment of the ANZAC force has now reached the Matilda II's. Decided to do them in Caunter, because quite frankly, its the coolest looking camoflauge of the war frankly.
#wargaming #toysoliders #desertwar #15mm #flamesofwar
#wargaming #toysoliders #desertwar #15mm #flamesofwar
July 9, 2024 at 10:23 AM
Refurbishment of the ANZAC force has now reached the Matilda II's. Decided to do them in Caunter, because quite frankly, its the coolest looking camoflauge of the war frankly.
#wargaming #toysoliders #desertwar #15mm #flamesofwar
#wargaming #toysoliders #desertwar #15mm #flamesofwar
The key event #OTD in North Africa 1941 was the ill-advised advance of 2 German forward detachments from Ed Duda to the border positions at Bardia and Sidi Omar.
They ran into 28 Maori Bn and the Central India Horse.
#militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #rommel #afrikakorps #ww2
IWM E3261E
They ran into 28 Maori Bn and the Central India Horse.
#militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #rommel #afrikakorps #ww2
IWM E3261E
December 3, 2024 at 9:52 AM
The key event #OTD in North Africa 1941 was the ill-advised advance of 2 German forward detachments from Ed Duda to the border positions at Bardia and Sidi Omar.
They ran into 28 Maori Bn and the Central India Horse.
#militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #rommel #afrikakorps #ww2
IWM E3261E
They ran into 28 Maori Bn and the Central India Horse.
#militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #rommel #afrikakorps #ww2
IWM E3261E
#OTD in 1941 the first replacement tanks for the #afrikakorps were waiting to be shipped to Africa in the port of Naples.
#WW2 #desertwar #tanks
@cedricmas.bsky.social @dr-robonator.bsky.social @robertglennie.bsky.social
#WW2 #desertwar #tanks
@cedricmas.bsky.social @dr-robonator.bsky.social @robertglennie.bsky.social
When a picture tells us something
An analysis of a Bundesarchiv picture of Naples harbour tank loading in June 1941.
rommelsriposte.com
June 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
#OTD in 1941 the first replacement tanks for the #afrikakorps were waiting to be shipped to Africa in the port of Naples.
#WW2 #desertwar #tanks
@cedricmas.bsky.social @dr-robonator.bsky.social @robertglennie.bsky.social
#WW2 #desertwar #tanks
@cedricmas.bsky.social @dr-robonator.bsky.social @robertglennie.bsky.social
Happy 84 years and 2 days since BATTLEAXE failed to all who celebrate.
#WW2 #desertwar
@ubiquevir.bsky.social
@cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social
#WW2 #desertwar
@ubiquevir.bsky.social
@cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social
12th Field Company War Diary (16 June) #OTD 1941
Operation Battleaxe Following the recent failure of Operation Brevity (15-16 May 1941), at which the 12th Field Company RE were present, Operation …12th Field Company War Diary (16 June) #OTD 1941…
rommelsriposte.com
June 17, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Happy 84 years and 2 days since BATTLEAXE failed to all who celebrate.
#WW2 #desertwar
@ubiquevir.bsky.social
@cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social
#WW2 #desertwar
@ubiquevir.bsky.social
@cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. Very early picture of a Bantam (Jeep) in the desert, and the careless first owner already had it nicked.
#luftwaffe out for a joy ride.
@cedricmas.bsky.social
#desertwar #afrikakorps #jeep
From Facebook. French military archives.
#luftwaffe out for a joy ride.
@cedricmas.bsky.social
#desertwar #afrikakorps #jeep
From Facebook. French military archives.
December 17, 2024 at 6:33 AM
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. Very early picture of a Bantam (Jeep) in the desert, and the careless first owner already had it nicked.
#luftwaffe out for a joy ride.
@cedricmas.bsky.social
#desertwar #afrikakorps #jeep
From Facebook. French military archives.
#luftwaffe out for a joy ride.
@cedricmas.bsky.social
#desertwar #afrikakorps #jeep
From Facebook. French military archives.
Suspect this is a CRUSADER/counter-offensive period picture. Does anyone have a view on the markings on the truck?
#ww2 #desertwar #rommel #afrikakorps #militaryhistory #wehrmachr
@cedricmas.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @ernestmalley.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social
ECPAD via Facebook.
#ww2 #desertwar #rommel #afrikakorps #militaryhistory #wehrmachr
@cedricmas.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @ernestmalley.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social
ECPAD via Facebook.
December 17, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Suspect this is a CRUSADER/counter-offensive period picture. Does anyone have a view on the markings on the truck?
#ww2 #desertwar #rommel #afrikakorps #militaryhistory #wehrmachr
@cedricmas.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @ernestmalley.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social
ECPAD via Facebook.
#ww2 #desertwar #rommel #afrikakorps #militaryhistory #wehrmachr
@cedricmas.bsky.social @navalairhistory.com @ernestmalley.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social
ECPAD via Facebook.
I know that the question of how it came about that Allied tanks had white/red/white markings on them during Operation CRUSADER is keeping you up at night, and is affecting your relationships.
#ww2 #history #militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #britisharmy
#ww2 #history #militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #britisharmy
November 21, 2024 at 11:38 AM
I know that the question of how it came about that Allied tanks had white/red/white markings on them during Operation CRUSADER is keeping you up at night, and is affecting your relationships.
#ww2 #history #militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #britisharmy
#ww2 #history #militaryhistory #desertwar #eightharmy #britisharmy
British POW being interrogated, dated July/August 1942, North Africa. Anyone got views on the cap badge or lack thereof?
#ww2 #militaryhistory #desertwar #afrikakorps
ECPAD DAK64
#ww2 #militaryhistory #desertwar #afrikakorps
ECPAD DAK64
December 8, 2024 at 2:42 PM
British POW being interrogated, dated July/August 1942, North Africa. Anyone got views on the cap badge or lack thereof?
#ww2 #militaryhistory #desertwar #afrikakorps
ECPAD DAK64
#ww2 #militaryhistory #desertwar #afrikakorps
ECPAD DAK64
8 RTR tank, CRUSADER markings clearly visible and a recent issue, as not painted in Caunter. Also of interest the A13 tank at the rear.
#desertwar #tankwarfare
#desertwar #tankwarfare
December 10, 2024 at 11:36 PM
8 RTR tank, CRUSADER markings clearly visible and a recent issue, as not painted in Caunter. Also of interest the A13 tank at the rear.
#desertwar #tankwarfare
#desertwar #tankwarfare
New issue of Tracks magazine is coming out soon, with a deep dive on Waikaha. Tracks is a historical magazine focused on the #lrdg in #ww2 in the #desertwar. Contributors include Kuno Gross, Brendan O’Carroll, Ian Chard. @karljames1945.bsky.social @ernestmalley.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
November 30, 2024 at 6:41 AM
New issue of Tracks magazine is coming out soon, with a deep dive on Waikaha. Tracks is a historical magazine focused on the #lrdg in #ww2 in the #desertwar. Contributors include Kuno Gross, Brendan O’Carroll, Ian Chard. @karljames1945.bsky.social @ernestmalley.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
One of the clearest pictures of (I suspect) Cape Corps members that I have come across.
ECPAD, and I presume support troops from 5 S.A. Inf Bde after Sidi Rezegh, awaiting transport to POW camps in the Benghazi area.
#ww2 #desertwar #soldiersofcolour #southafrica
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseih/2019/1...
ECPAD, and I presume support troops from 5 S.A. Inf Bde after Sidi Rezegh, awaiting transport to POW camps in the Benghazi area.
#ww2 #desertwar #soldiersofcolour #southafrica
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseih/2019/1...
December 2, 2024 at 12:14 PM
One of the clearest pictures of (I suspect) Cape Corps members that I have come across.
ECPAD, and I presume support troops from 5 S.A. Inf Bde after Sidi Rezegh, awaiting transport to POW camps in the Benghazi area.
#ww2 #desertwar #soldiersofcolour #southafrica
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseih/2019/1...
ECPAD, and I presume support troops from 5 S.A. Inf Bde after Sidi Rezegh, awaiting transport to POW camps in the Benghazi area.
#ww2 #desertwar #soldiersofcolour #southafrica
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseih/2019/1...
Almost certainly a South African soldier kicking the tyres on an Einheits PKW of the Wehrmacht. Only minor shrapnel damage, full service history, one careless owner.
Bardia, January 1942. From Facebook.
#ww2 #desertwar
Bardia, January 1942. From Facebook.
#ww2 #desertwar
November 30, 2024 at 10:27 PM
Almost certainly a South African soldier kicking the tyres on an Einheits PKW of the Wehrmacht. Only minor shrapnel damage, full service history, one careless owner.
Bardia, January 1942. From Facebook.
#ww2 #desertwar
Bardia, January 1942. From Facebook.
#ww2 #desertwar
#OTD in 1941 the delusions continued, and Rommel did what he did best. Ordering Lieutenants around, rather than commanding his campaign.
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @sodrock.bsky.social #WW2 #militaryhistory #skystorians #desertwar #afrikakorps
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @sodrock.bsky.social #WW2 #militaryhistory #skystorians #desertwar #afrikakorps
D.A.K. War Diary Entry 6 April 1941
6 April 1941 The impression of the Ia concerning the enemy situation on the morning of 6 April was that the English were evading destruction by us, with their mass retreating on Tobruk. Embarkation…
rommelsriposte.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM
#OTD in 1941 the delusions continued, and Rommel did what he did best. Ordering Lieutenants around, rather than commanding his campaign.
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @sodrock.bsky.social #WW2 #militaryhistory #skystorians #desertwar #afrikakorps
@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @sodrock.bsky.social #WW2 #militaryhistory #skystorians #desertwar #afrikakorps
As today is for some reason I don't understand the best day in terms of visits to The Crusader Project since 30 Corps Gate on the other site, here's that banger again, for nostalgia.
@rgpoulussen.bsky.social @vickersmg.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @alliedarmour.bsky.social #WW2 #desertwar
@rgpoulussen.bsky.social @vickersmg.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @alliedarmour.bsky.social #WW2 #desertwar
Editorial Note – Numbering/Naming Corps and Units
Background On Twitter I came across a popular historian’s hot take regarding the correct approach to identifying Corps in publications, claiming that the reason why historians use Roman numer…
rommelsriposte.com
July 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM
As today is for some reason I don't understand the best day in terms of visits to The Crusader Project since 30 Corps Gate on the other site, here's that banger again, for nostalgia.
@rgpoulussen.bsky.social @vickersmg.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @alliedarmour.bsky.social #WW2 #desertwar
@rgpoulussen.bsky.social @vickersmg.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @alliedarmour.bsky.social #WW2 #desertwar
I was today days old when I found out that among the first Allies into Benghazi in December 1941 were four South African armoured cars. The parting shot (ha!) from the CO, No.3 Coy 3 SAAC is chef's kiss.
#militaryhistory #southafrica #eightharmy #afrikakorps #desertwar
#militaryhistory #southafrica #eightharmy #afrikakorps #desertwar
December 16, 2024 at 6:48 PM
I was today days old when I found out that among the first Allies into Benghazi in December 1941 were four South African armoured cars. The parting shot (ha!) from the CO, No.3 Coy 3 SAAC is chef's kiss.
#militaryhistory #southafrica #eightharmy #afrikakorps #desertwar
#militaryhistory #southafrica #eightharmy #afrikakorps #desertwar
On 2 October 1941, 22 Armoured Brigade arrived in Suez. The brigade would be thrown into battle with hardly any time to train and acclimatise, with predictable results.
#desertwar #ww2
#desertwar #ww2
The Confused Arrival of 22 Armoured Brigade
Background The repeat delays to the start of CRUSADER was quite unpalatable to Winston Churchill, who had sacked Wavell over his reluctance to move faster as much as over his failure in BATTLEAXE. …
rommelsriposte.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
On 2 October 1941, 22 Armoured Brigade arrived in Suez. The brigade would be thrown into battle with hardly any time to train and acclimatise, with predictable results.
#desertwar #ww2
#desertwar #ww2
Another unusual shot from the #desertwar in #WW2, showing the size of a radio station.
German propaganda company shot, May 1942, unknown location but likely somewhere in the Gazala line, via facebook.
German propaganda company shot, May 1942, unknown location but likely somewhere in the Gazala line, via facebook.
February 25, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Another unusual shot from the #desertwar in #WW2, showing the size of a radio station.
German propaganda company shot, May 1942, unknown location but likely somewhere in the Gazala line, via facebook.
German propaganda company shot, May 1942, unknown location but likely somewhere in the Gazala line, via facebook.
So. Who buys the claim that several a/c were brought down by small arms fire?
WO208/3108 Notes from Theatres of War
#militaryhistory #ww2 #desertwar
@navalairhistory.com @mike-bechthold.bsky.social @smoorebofb1940.bsky.social
WO208/3108 Notes from Theatres of War
#militaryhistory #ww2 #desertwar
@navalairhistory.com @mike-bechthold.bsky.social @smoorebofb1940.bsky.social
December 8, 2024 at 10:01 PM
So. Who buys the claim that several a/c were brought down by small arms fire?
WO208/3108 Notes from Theatres of War
#militaryhistory #ww2 #desertwar
@navalairhistory.com @mike-bechthold.bsky.social @smoorebofb1940.bsky.social
WO208/3108 Notes from Theatres of War
#militaryhistory #ww2 #desertwar
@navalairhistory.com @mike-bechthold.bsky.social @smoorebofb1940.bsky.social
#OTD in 1941 sloop HMS Auckland sank with the loss of 38 men NW off Gambut while escorting the small tanker Pass of Balmaha to Tobruk.
The 'Tobruk Run' had claimed another victim.
@alanallport.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#WW2 #navalhistory #desertwar
The 'Tobruk Run' had claimed another victim.
@alanallport.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#WW2 #navalhistory #desertwar
The Tobruk Run – Loss of HMS Auckland 24 June 1941
Introduction The Tobruk Run (colloquially known as the “Tobruk Ferry”) was a series of convoy and naval supply operations that operated with some interruptions from April to December 1941, and whic…
rommelsriposte.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
#OTD in 1941 sloop HMS Auckland sank with the loss of 38 men NW off Gambut while escorting the small tanker Pass of Balmaha to Tobruk.
The 'Tobruk Run' had claimed another victim.
@alanallport.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#WW2 #navalhistory #desertwar
The 'Tobruk Run' had claimed another victim.
@alanallport.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
#WW2 #navalhistory #desertwar