Gavin Mortimer

Vehicles of the Long Range Desert Group 1940-45 (eBook, PDF)

Illustrator: Morshead, Henry; Cano Rodríguez, Irene

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

A fascinating study of the specialized vehicles, kit and techniques of the Long-Range Desert Group who pioneered long-range desert warfare in World War II and worked closely with the embryonic SAS.

The Long Range Desert Group was one of the most famous special units of World War II, operating heavily modified vehicles deep behind enemy lines to gather intelligence and support the raids of David Stirling's new Special Air Service.

When war broke out, a pre-war explorer and army officer, Ralph Bagnold, convinced Middle East Command of the need for a reconnaissance force to penetrate into Italian-held desert. Bagnold tested four types of vehicles over rocks and through soft sand to find the best one for his new unit. He selected the Chevrolet WB (30 CWT) as the signature vehicle of the Long Range Desert Group because it is 'fast, simple and easy to handle'. With left-hand steering, horizontal grill and round fenders on the rear wheels, these trucks proved themselves popular and effective. The durability of the Chevrolets was demonstrated in January 1941 with an audacious raid on the Italian fort/air strip at Murzuk, hundreds of miles behind enemy lines.

This book explains the detail of all the vehicles of the LRDG, as well as their modifications, driving techniques and special kit for surviving behind enemy lines in one of the most hostile environments on earth.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury UK eBooks
• Seitenzahl: 48
• Erscheinungstermin: 18. Februar 2021
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781472842138
• Artikelnr.: 60440446

Autorenporträt

Gavin Mortimer is a writer, historian and television consultant whose groundbreaking book Stirling's Men remains the definitive history of the wartime SAS. Drawing on interviews with more than 60 veterans, most of whom had never spoken publicly, the book was the first comprehensive account of the SAS Brigade. He has also written histories of the SBS, Merrill's Marauders and the LRDG, again drawing heavily on veteran interviews. He has published a variety of titles with Osprey including The Long Range Desert Group in World War II and The SAS in World War II.

Inhaltsangabe

INTRODUCTION
BAGNOLD BLAZES A TRAIL
Pirates of the high sea
THE LRDG AND THE NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN
Chevrolet WB (30-cwt)
Ford 01 V8 (15-cwt) command/pilot car
Ford F8 pick-up and Chevrolet 1311
Ford F30 CMP (30-cwt)
Chevrolet 1533X2 30-cwt
Willys MB Jeep
THE HEAVY SECTION AND THE MACK NR4
The Heavy Section
ANCILLARY AND SUPPORT VEHICLES
Medical truck
Radio truck
Bofors and Breda truck
TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Water condensers
Sun compass
Sand channels
FURTHER READING
INDEX