Crasemann's new command was part of 15th Panzer Division and with it, he participated in the significant engagements in North Africa, including Operation Crusader and the battles around Tobruk. Awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 26 December 1941 for his leadership of the 33rd Motorised Artillery Regiment, he was promoted to "oberst" (colonel) early the following year. When the commander of the 15th Panzer Division was wounded in May 1942, Crasemann was made its acting commander. He led the division through the Battle of Gazala and, along with the rest of Rommel's forces, contributed to the British defeat. In late July, after the subsequent fighting during which the division, along with the 21st Panzer Division, captured Tobruk and 35,000 Allied soldiers, Crasemann reverted to command of the 33rd Artillery Regiment as "Generalmajor" Heinz von Randow had arrived in Africa to take over the division.