Brendan O’Carroll, leading authority on the Long Range Desert Group, has again produced a most informative book, this one with over 300 images. As the title suggests, this is the story of R Patrol (manned mainly by New Zealanders) and, as Brendan says in the introduction, it provides ‘an insightful overview of its formation, selected missions and activities as told mostly in the words of the participants themselves.’ Recommended for all who are interested in the original role of the LRDG, as well as for those interested in the Desert War generally.

FFE

“Establishes “R PATROL” as the most complete LRDG reference yet published. Reviewed and highly recommended…”

Read the full review here

ARGunners.com

Bob's review says it all. All I can add is, my grandfather, Buster Gibb, liked a yarn. Over the years he recounted his desert experiences verbally many times. He served four years in North Africa and briefly in Italy, however it was his year as an original LRP/LRDG member that affected him most profoundly. I admit I took his tales for granted, having a youthful lack of perspective and appreciation for his service. Years later he mentioned corresponding with author, Brendan O'Carroll. I was overseas when 'Kiwi Scorpions' was published, and only after my grandfather's death did, I come to realise the significance of what Brendan had done, not just for our family, but all the descendants of the LRDG, and for the history of New Zealand. All those yarns of clandestine adventure and at no point had the family written any of it down. To be honest he was the sort of robust person it was difficult to picture gone. But at least 'Kiwi Scorpions' captured some of his stories except when I looked for a copy in 2004 it was absent at any price. Four years later I set up this group, and as member after member contacted me about getting hold of a copy of 'Kiwi Scorpions' I urged them to write to the publisher. Enough of us pestered them to the point they conceded to a second run, but it would be the last. Since then, fortunately Brendan has dedicated his time to writing numerous works on the LRDG. His latest, 'R Patrol: Long Range Desert Group' published by Pen and Sword in the UK, stands with the rest as a testament to these extraordinary men. It includes Buster's personal accounts as well as those I haven't seen before, from Don Steele to Bluey Grimsey, names so familiar to me, but till now not their voices. Rich with photographs and detailed technical information, researched in Brendan's meticulous way, as a community we are eternally indebted. It's a must have for the library.

Elizabeth Beckett Review 16.10.24 Long Range Desert Group Facebook Group

I always look forward to a new book by Brendan O’Carroll. His latest R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group is his ninth on those who led the way 84 years ago.
When Bagnold founded the Long Range Patrol (fore runner to the LRDG) it was comprised of troops from New Zealand. Those chosen were split into 3 patrols R, T, W. This is the story of R and the first to be dedicated to one of the patrols.
Apart from being wonderfully researched and written, all Brendan’s books link us to the past and R Patrol is no different. His conversations and correspondence with the veterans allow us to hear the voices of those who served.
Let’s deal the basics, 253 pages and 310 photographs, art and maps some of which will be new to even the most dedicated LRDG enthusiast. It is broken down into 15 chapters and 3 appendices.
Even if you have not read any of Brendan’s previous books, he starts by explaining the history of the LRDG and their formation in June 1940. Subsequent chapters focus on their early missions, their relationship with David Stirling and the SAS,
He blends operational reports, photographs and diaries with correspondence and conversations that he had with the likes of Alfred “Buster” Gibb, Claude “Bluey” Grimsey, Merle Fogden, Ron Landon-Lane and Alf Saunders to give us an insight into life behind enemy lines, on road watch, back at base in Siwa or Kufra or even on R&R in Cairo. Brendan also manages to include a number of interesting anecdotes regarding goats, scorpions and snakes. Look out for the mating snake in particular! Other chapters focus on supporting the Eighth Army, with the Free French at Zouar, air attack, ground actions and the role of the patrol medic.
Anyone who thinks that there is nothing new to be written about the LRDG should think again. 84 years later the formation of the LRP new material and photographs are still being found.
The Grimsey Method of navigation, a new process for establishing longitude and latitude without complicated mathematical tables to find your position in the desert, is published here for the very first time. Another first, is the only known war time photograph of Waikaha, one of the original Chevrolet WA’s, recovered by the LRDG Association and now on display at the IWM London.
R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group is a must for the library of any historian, researcher, reenactors and modellers.

Bob Amos Jones book review LRDG Preservation Society 7/10/24

I always look forward to a new book by Brendan O’Carroll. His latest R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group is his ninth on those who led the way 84 years ago.
When Bagnold founded the Long Range Patrol (fore runner to the LRDG) it was comprised of troops from New Zealand. Those chosen were split into 3 patrols R, T, W. This is the story of R and the first to be dedicated to one of the patrols.
Apart from being wonderfully researched and written, all Brendan’s books link us to the past and R Patrol is no different. His conversations and correspondence with the veterans allow us to hear the voices of those who served.
Let’s deal the basics, 253 pages and 310 photographs, art and maps some of which will be new to even the most dedicated LRDG enthusiast. It is broken down into 15 chapters and 3 appendices.
Even if you have not read any of Brendan’s previous books, he starts by explaining the history of the LRDG and their formation in June 1940. Subsequent chapters focus on their early missions, their relationship with David Stirling and the SAS.
He blends operational reports, photographs and diaries with correspondence and conversations that he had with the likes of Alfred “Buster” Gibb, Claude “Bluey” Grimsey, Merle Fogden, Ron Landon-Lane and Alf Saunders to give us an insight into life behind enemy lines, on road watch, back at base in Siwa or Kufra or even on R&R in Cairo. Brendan also manages to include a number of interesting anecdotes regarding goats, scorpions and snakes. Look out for the mating snake in particular! Other chapters focus on supporting the Eighth Army, with the Free French at Zouar, air attack, ground actions and the role of the patrol medic.
Anyone who thinks that there is nothing new to be written about the LRDG should think again. 84 years later the formation of the LRP new material and photographs are still being found.
The Grimsey Method of navigation, a new process for establishing longitude and latitude without complicated mathematical tables to find your position in the desert, is published here for the very first time. Another first, is the only known war time photograph of Waikaha, one of the original Chevrolet WA’s, recovered by the LRDG Association and now on display at the IWM London.
R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group is a must for the library of any historian, researcher, reenactors and modellers.

BOB AMOS-JONES