tsweeney Posted June 26, 2017 Share #1 Posted June 26, 2017 The Long Range Desert Group was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War. Originally called the Long Range Patrol ( LRP), the unit was founded in Egypt in June 1940 by Major Ralph A. Bagnold, acting under the direction of General Archibald Wavell. Bagnold was assisted by Captain Patrick Clayton and Captain William Shaw. At first the majority of the men were from New Zealand, but they were soon joined by Southern Rhodesian and British volunteers, whereupon new sub-units were formed and the name was changed to the better-known Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). The LRDG never numbered more than 350 men, all of whom were volunteers. The LRDG was formed specifically to carry out deep penetration, covert reconnaissance patrols and intelligence missions from behind Italian lines, although they sometimes engaged in combat operations. Because the LRDG were experts in desert navigation they were sometimes assigned to guide other units, including the Special Air Service and secret agents across the desert. During the Desert Campaign between December 1940 and April 1943, the vehicles of the LRDG operated constantly behind the Axis lines, missing a total of only 15 days during the entire period.[4] Possibly their most notable offensive action was during Operation Caravan, an attack on the town of Barce and its associated airfield, on the night of 13 September 1942. However, their most vital role was the 'Road Watch', during which they clandestinely monitored traffic on the main road from Tripoli to Benghazi, transmitting the intelligence to British Army Headquarters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsweeney Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted June 26, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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tsweeney Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted June 26, 2017 Thanks for looking Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted June 27, 2017 Share #8 Posted June 27, 2017 Nice one, and for a rare unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted June 27, 2017 Share #9 Posted June 27, 2017 Very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted June 27, 2017 Share #10 Posted June 27, 2017 Very nice. I guess the predecessors to the LRRP's in Vietnam. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted June 28, 2017 Share #11 Posted June 28, 2017 Thanks for sharing another great dio! Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted June 29, 2017 Share #12 Posted June 29, 2017 Looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsweeney Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted July 4, 2017 Gents Thanks for the comments Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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