Key Facts
- Dates
- 29 November – 1 December 1941
- NZ Division total casualties
- 4,620
- NZ soldiers captured at Point 175
- 167 men of 21st NZ Battalion
- Operation
- Operation Crusader
- Duration
- 3 days
Strategic Narrative Overview
From 29 November to 1 December 1941, the 6th New Zealand Brigade defended Point 175 against Axis counterattacks aimed at cutting the Tobruk link. The Italian 132nd Armoured Division Ariete recaptured the point late on 29 November. New Zealand defenders mistook approaching Italian tanks and armoured cars for South African reinforcements, leading to the capture of 167 men of the 21st New Zealand Battalion. The 6th Brigade suffered heavy casualties before withdrawing to Zaafran.
01 / The Origins
During Operation Crusader in late November 1941, Allied forces sought to relieve the besieged Tobruk garrison in Libya. The 2nd New Zealand Division captured Point 175, a small rise near the Trigh Capuzzo desert track, on 23 November, then pushed westward to link up with Tobruk's breakout forces. The point became strategically critical as it commanded local roads and the corridor connecting Tobruk to Allied lines.
03 / The Outcome
The Axis successfully severed the New Zealand corridor to Tobruk during the engagement at Point 175. The 2nd New Zealand Division retreated to Egypt to refit after sustaining 4,620 total casualties during Operation Crusader. The division was subsequently sent to Syria to recuperate and was nearly redeployed to the Asia-Pacific theater following Japan's invasion of Malaya in December 1941.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
2 belligerents
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.