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History of War

The Long Range Desert Group was amongst the first special forces units to emerge from the Second World War, yet despite remarkable success it remains one of the least celebrated. This superb account, written by one of their former commanders, examines the formation of the unit, the very diverse personalities which shaped it, the North African operations, and their subsequent role in Italy and the Balkans. It describes in detail the carefully planned and brilliant techniques they employed to smuggle themselves hundreds of miles behind the enemy lines, where they would occasionally carry out small raids, but above all else conceal themselves near strategic points and do the critically important work of reporting on enemy movements and strengths, constantly exposed to the risk of detection and the whims of the desert. The book also considers their early partnership with the SAS, who hitched a ride with them and subsequently adopted their superior methods of using vehicles and a thorough knowledge of the terrain to push deep into enemy territory. Filled with detailed descriptions of individual operations and the remarkable characters who carried them out, this is a very engaging and fine tribute to a small band of men whose impact on the North African campaign in particular was quite immense.

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