In 1936 the British War Office ordered a new infantry and cruiser tank. The Crusader was ready by July, 1939. It could reach 40mph and was well armoured and was was used in Tobruk in June 1941.

Tank crews soon found out that the Crusader was uncomfortable to operate and the engine was unreliable. However, it remained the standard British tank for the remainder of the Desert War. Between 1939 and 1943 over 5,300 Crusader tanks were built. The development of the superior Cromwell Tank brought an end to the production of the Crusader.