The 3 CLY went to North Africa as part of the 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats), which took part in the 1941 battles to relieve with the besieged port of Tobruk. The Crusader tanks of The Sharpshooters were inferior to the Germans’ vehicles but gave a good account of themselves in the battle which finally relieved the port and pushed the Germans out of the area. Allan was now adjutant (the commanding officer’s staff officer) and played a prominent part, being awarded a well-deserved Military Cross.
Allan was soon a major and commanding "B" Squadron. However, by 30th December 1941 the regiment was so depleted by casualties and mechanical failures that when Allan's tank was knocked out he had to get away on foot, his tank had been the only "runner" left in the squadron.