Summary The Battle of Sidi Rezagh - Operation Crusader 1941 Part of New Zealand at War Week on WW2TV Sidi Rezegh, fought during Operation Crusader in Libya over November and December 1941, has been described as 'the forgotten battle of the Desert War'. The Eighth Army's objective in Crusader was to retake Cyrenaica, the eastern region of Libya, and ultimately drive the Italians and Germans out of North Africa. The campaign was partially successful, and did achieve the badly needed relief of Tobruk, where Australian and other Allied troops had been trapped. The New Zealand Division played a major role in Crusader, a campaign that was important in ultimately achieving British victory in North Africa. Despite this, it is a battle that has largely been neglected by historians, failing to receive as much attention as Crete, El Alamein or Cassino. Yet more New Zealand soldiers were killed or taken prisoner during Crusader than in any other campaign fought by 'the Div' during the war. Today's guest is Peter Cox. His father fought at Sidi Rezegh with 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion, and Peter will draw on his experience of twice visiting the battlefield to tell the story of this complex and costly campaign. He will set the scene for the fighting in Libya, describing the unforgiving and inhospitable desert landscape. He will explain the stages of the action and recount the often moving and heroic stories of the soldiers who fought there.

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