The Long Range Desert Group in World War II Hardcover – April 18, 2017

The Long Range Desert Group is most famous for its exploits, many in conjunction with the Special Air Service, in North Africa during World War II. The men of the LRDG were renowned for their ability to cross hundreds of miles of desert, materializing deep behind Axis lines to gather intelligence or to stage sudden attacks. What may be less well known were their further exploits on the other side of the Mediterranean, in Italy, Yugoslavia and Greece, later in the war...Author Gavin Mortimer has put together a fascinating history, drawing heavily on the memories of LRDG veterans, and nicely illustrated with a variety of period photographs. This reviewer found most fascinating the account of the LRDG's mission into Greece, especially in the Aegean Islands. Indeed, Alistair MacLean's bestselling novel "The Guns of Navarone" and an epic movie of the same name were apparently inspired by the LRDG mission on the Greek island of Leros, and their fateful confrontation with German forces.There are some lessons here, most obviously on the need to adapt specialized units to operate in a dangerous environment such as the desert. A less obvious lesson is the potential for misuse of special operations forces to solve whatever problem is at hand, sometimes with insufficient training for new environments. This book is well recommended as a highly readable account of a unique group of men.

Well written but no maps to allow the reader to to orient properly - this is a big negative and I copied a map from my SAS book to help. First two thirds good but then gets very monotonous when the groups' area of war changes from the desert to the mainland of Europe . In fact, after reading the first parts within two weeks I have now stalled for nearly two months.

Enjoyable and informative rendering of an important group in World War 2. Thanks

Well researched , nicely written narrative !!!!!

It's a well written books, full of facts and info. I enjoyed reading this.

Was in excellent shape for a used book

Having read The Men Who Made the SAS by the same author I had to buy and read this one.It"s a really good read,with lots of photographs taken by members of the L.R.D.G.. which were"nt published in the authors other book. I thoroughly reccommend this book to anyone who is interested in the role Special Forces played in World War 2.

This book details how the Long Range Desert Group came into being and what it then did to assist the 8th army in its defences of UK held territory in Libya at this time. Their knowledge changed the outcome of the second world war. Its written in a somewhat analytical style which makes it not exciting page turner or adventure book.This is history told as it was made and is very factual throughout. A great book to fill in gaps on what the LRDG did and how they changed the war but if you are looking for page turning excitement its not here.

well written and very interesting story of a brave group of men who have tended to be over shadowed by the SAS. Both groups deserve the highest recognition for their actions, so it is nice to see the LRDG being highlighted.

A good read but unfathomable to a degree on account of the total absence of maps.

Good military and british history