The Long Range Desert Group in World War II

Gavin Mortimer's account of the Long Range Desert Group stands as a comprehensive examination of one of World War II's most distinctive special forces units. The book traces the formation, operations, and legacy of the LRDG from its inception in 1940 through to the end of the war, offering readers a detailed portrait of desert warfare and unconventional military tactics in the North African campaign.

The Long Range Desert Group was established by Major Ralph Bagnold in Egypt during the summer of 1940, when British forces needed reliable intelligence about Italian positions deep in the Libyan desert. Mortimer effectively captures how Bagnold, a pre-war explorer with extensive knowledge of desert travel, convinced Middle East Command that small motorized patrols could navigate vast distances across seemingly impassable terrain. The author details the unit's evolution from a reconnaissance force into a highly capable raiding and intelligence-gathering organization that operated hundreds of miles behind enemy lines.

The book examines the specialized equipment and vehicles that made LRDG operations possible. Mortimer describes how modified Chevrolet trucks, and later Willys jeeps, were adapted for extended desert journeys, carrying extra fuel, water, and supplies necessary for patrols lasting weeks. The author explains the navigation techniques employed by LRDG crews, including the use of sun compasses and celestial navigation, which allowed them to traverse featureless desert landscapes with remarkable accuracy. These technical details ground the narrative in the practical challenges faced by the unit.

Mortimer dedicates substantial attention to the recruitment and training methods that shaped LRDG personnel. The unit drew volunteers from various Commonwealth nations, including New Zealand, Rhodesia, and Britain itself. The selection process emphasized self-reliance, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to endure extreme physical hardship. Training prepared men for the psychological demands of isolation, the physical toll of desert conditions, and the tactical requirements of their unconventional role. The author illustrates how this careful selection created a unit characterized by initiative and adaptability.

The operational history presented in the book spans the major phases of the North African campaign. Mortimer chronicles early reconnaissance missions that provided crucial intelligence about Italian defenses and troop movements. The narrative follows the LRDG through the period when German forces arrived in North Africa, changing the nature of desert warfare and increasing the risks faced by long-range patrols. The author describes collaborative operations with other special forces units, particularly the Special Air Service, demonstrating how the LRDG often transported SAS raiding parties to their targets before conducting their own missions.

The book addresses specific operations that highlight the LRDG's capabilities and the dangers inherent in their work. Mortimer recounts raids on enemy airfields, attacks on supply convoys, and intelligence-gathering missions that required days of hidden observation near enemy positions. The author does not shy away from describing operations that ended in failure or resulted in casualties, providing a balanced perspective on the unit's wartime record. These accounts reveal both the effectiveness of LRDG tactics and the constant threat posed by enemy aircraft, vehicle breakdowns, and the harsh desert environment.

Mortimer explores the relationship between the LRDG and conventional military forces. The intelligence gathered by desert patrols often influenced broader strategic decisions, yet the unit sometimes struggled for recognition and resources. The author examines how commanders utilized LRDG capabilities and how the unit's value was perceived by different levels of military leadership. This dimension adds context to understanding the LRDG's place within the larger Allied war effort in North Africa.

The narrative extends beyond the North African theater to cover LRDG operations in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions following the Afrika Korps' defeat. Mortimer describes how the unit adapted to different terrain and tactical situations, conducting reconnaissance and raiding missions on Greek islands and in the Balkans. This later phase of LRDG history receives less attention in popular accounts, making Mortimer's coverage particularly valuable for understanding the unit's complete wartime service.

The book incorporates accounts from veterans and draws on official records and personal papers to support its narrative. Mortimer's research provides a foundation for the operational details and personal experiences described throughout the work. The author balances tactical information with human elements, showing how individuals coped with danger, monotony, and the physical demands of desert warfare. This approach makes the historical material accessible while maintaining factual rigor.

Mortimer's work serves as a solid historical treatment of a specialized military unit that played a significant role in the North African campaign. The book offers sufficient detail to satisfy readers interested in military history while remaining readable for general audiences curious about special operations in World War II. The combination of operational history, technical information, and attention to the human dimension creates a rounded portrait of the Long Range Desert Group and its contribution to Allied success in the desert war.