35: Masters of the Deep Desert - The Long Range Desert Group in WWII (Part 1)

Masters of the Deep Desert - The Long Range Desert Group in WWII (Part 1)

In 1940, the vast, unmapped expanse of the North African desert was considered completely impassable by conventional military forces. In the first of a three-part series on the Militia Historia Podcast, we explore the origins of the legendary Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the men who mastered this uniquely hostile environment.

We dive into the visionary mind of Major Ralph Bagnold, a pioneering desert explorer who convinced the Middle East Command that small, highly mobile patrols could navigate the deep desert to gather intelligence and harass Axis forces. This episode details the formation of the very first units, focusing on the recruitment of tough, self-reliant New Zealand farmers and soldiers who formed the foundational "T" Patrols and were perfectly suited for the gruelling conditions of the Sahara.

Join us as we break down the specialised vehicle modifications, the revolutionary sun-compass navigation techniques, and the earliest covert reconnaissance missions that laid the groundwork for the most famous reconnaissance unit of the desert war.

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Series Music:

Written By Benjamin Sturley Performed By Salon Dijon Produced By Salon Dijon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.