Long Range Desert Group Chevrolet

For centuries, the ship of the desert was the camel. With the invention of the automobile, this all changed. However, the typical automobile could not cross the desert without modifications. Fortunately Ralph Bagnold had been an avid desert explorer before the onset of World War II and knew a thing or two about operating a motor car in some of the harshest environments on the planet Earth.

The LRDG truck was the result of a culmination of almost fourteen years of desert exploration before World War II. Specially fitted tires, a water condenser for the radiator, sand mats, sand channels, a sun compass, and numerous other modification made it possible for a small band of soldiers to accomplish what few men ever imagined could be accomplished. The LRDG trucks became a mobile oasis in the desert for the troops who relied on them.

It was not uncommon for trucks to set out overloaded with as much as two tons or more of supplies. They would some times leave fuel and supply dumps in designated spots for future use. The usual crew for the 1 1/2 ton truck was three men, driver, gunner and commander. Of course these men also had other duties. For instance the commander may be the wireless operator, medical orderly, navigator, fitter (mechanic) and so on. And of course sometimes someone may swap off with the driver and give him rest. At first, the patrols had ten vehicles but this proved cumbersome and the letter patrols were divided into two numbered patrols. Hence Y patrol became Y1 and Y2 Patrols. This doubled the number of patrols and commanders as well as the number of other necessary personnel. When the patrols were divided the usual number of vehicles was six per patrol but this was based on the mission and also the availability of vehicles. All patrols set out with a wireless (radio) truck. At times a patrol may have as few four vehicles or have other vehicles attached increasing the total number of vehicles. When Lloyd Owen set out for the Tobruk raid he left with ten vehicles. According to his book, he left with six LRDG vehicles and four 3 tonners used by Haselden and the Commandos

Drie uitvoeringen mogelijk;