Lewes participated in the initial SAS raids as part of Operation Crusader. These raids aimed to disrupt German and Italian supply lines and destroy enemy aircraft on the ground. The initial raids were largely unsuccessful due to poor weather and communication problems.

Despite the initial setbacks, Lewes and the SAS learned valuable lessons from their early operations. They refined their tactics, improved their navigation skills, and developed better communication methods. The Lewes bomb also proved to be very effective.

On December 30, 1941, Jock Lewes was killed in action during a raid on an enemy airfield near Nofilia, Libya. He was reportedly struck by a stray bullet during a brief firefight. His death was a significant loss to the SAS, as he was a highly respected officer and innovator.