Members of Y-Patrol of the Long-Range Desert Group, Siwa Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt, 1942
On left is Trooper Bill Bullock, in the center is Sgt. Frank Johns , L/Cpl. Robert Hall #3529858 is on the right.
Soldiers of the LRDG take a smoke break after returning to headquarters following a reconnaissance mission during the North African Campaign.
The LRDG was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army, made up of soldiers from the U.K., New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia (now, Zimbabwe).
The LRDG was formed specifically to carry out deep penetration, covert reconnaissance patrols and intelligence missions from behind enemy 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. Their most notable offensive action was possibly during Operaton Caravan, an attack on the town of Italian held Libyan 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. Siwa oasis, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt. April 1943.
With the surrender of the Axis forces in Tunisia in May 1943, the LRDG changed roles and moved operations to the eastern Mediterranean, carrying out missions in the Greek islands, Italy and the Balkans. After the end of the war in Europe, the leaders of the LRDG made a request to the War Office for the unit to be transferred to the Far East to conduct operations against the Japanese Empire. The request was declined and the LRDG was disbanded in August 1945.
Image taken by Cecil Beaton.