Long Range Desert Group

The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was formed for the purpose of reconnaissance deep into enemy territory in the deserts of the North Africa.

The LRDG was formed into Patrols to the following establishment as of January 1941.

They used both the .303-inch Mk. I and the .5-inch Mk. V Guns as part of their armament. A full transcript of the War Establishment from 15 January, 1941, is available.

• VI/1931/34B/1, 15 January 1941 – Long Range Desert Group

In April 1942, the war establishment increased to include a total of ten patrols across a headquarter squadron and detachable squadron. Each patrol had six 30-cwt. lorries with a mix of .5-inch Vickers, .303-inch Vickers and Breda 20-mm. guns.

• VI/34B/2, 8 April 1942 – Long Range Desert Group

• 

• 

• 

• 

---

Sources

• Graham, 1942a
• Graham, 1942b
• Graham, 1942c
• Lawson Collection, 1942a
• The National Archives, WO 24/939, War Establishments 1941 January to June.
• The National Archives, WO 24/943, War Establishments 1942 January to June.
• O’Carroll, 2000