A9 Cruiser

[leyreynolds]

I'm looking for details of A9's in Tobruk during the 1941 siege and units to which they belonged.

[Kingsman]

The Armoured Regiments at Tobruk in Dec 41 were 1 and 4 RTR plus D Squadron of 7 RTR.  1 RTR were equipped with a collection of old Cruisers A9, 10 and 13.  4th and 7th had Matildas.  1 RTR was also at Tobruk in April 41 with "Cruisers" but I can't confirm A9s.  So it looks like 1 RTR is your answer.

 

You might find this link useful: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44232677?read-now=1&seq=6#page_scan_tab_contents

Edited November 12, 2021 by Das Abteilung
Bad spelling!

[JackG]

From Peter Brown's publication on the Cruiser tanks (2017):

 

-1RTR arrived in Tobruk by sea on April 7th 1941.  RHQ Squadron had two A9's, while B Squadron had eight of these cruisers. 

-April 18th, the unit reorganized and placed  A9's into A Squadron.  The text is unclear where these A9's were previously, and for whatever reason do not mention B Squadron. 

-By 19th November, 1RTR still had 5 x A9's with one under repair at the Tobruk workshop.  Three A9's were also dug in on the Derna  road. 

 

 

regards,

Jack

[leyreynolds]

Thanks for the info'.

[Kingsman]

Some A9s in the desert carried spare wheels in brackets inside the front fenders.  This seems to be a desert-specific thing and as far as I can see from the limited photos they were only the larger front/rear wheels and just the outer wheel rim and tyre without the centre hub.