By the outbreak of World War II in 1939, British explorer Ralph Bagnold and his colleagues had perfected techniques for desert navigation and survival. Despite this expertise, Bagnold was initially assigned to a Signals unit in East Africa rather than being deployed to the desert, a decision that perplexed many given his deep knowledge of desert conditions.

After his ship was involved in a collision in the Mediterranean, Bagnold traveled to Cairo, where a local gossip column mistakenly assumed his posting was in Egypt, sarcastically praising the military for finally deploying him where his skills might be useful. The regional British Commander-in-Chief, General Archibald Wavell, quickly intervened, transferring Bagnold to the 7th Armoured Division, known as the Desert Rats.

Bagnold proposed forming a specialized unit trained in long-range desert patrolling using American vehicles, but his idea was initially rejected twice by General Henry “Jumbo” Wilson, commander of British troops in Egypt. Following Italy’s declaration of war on June 10, 1940, Bagnold urgently warned of the threat posed by Italian forces based in Kufra, who, with air support, could sever critical supply lines, threaten the Suez Canal, and potentially flood Cairo by targeting the Aswan Dam.

Determined to act, Bagnold enlisted the help of a brigadier friend to bypass Wilson and appeal directly to General Wavell. Wavell responded promptly, granting Bagnold six weeks to establish a “long-range patrol unit” and providing him with full authorization to acquire necessary resources under strict secrecy.

Operating from a base in the old Fever Hospital Barracks at Abbassia, Cairo, Bagnold sourced unconventional supplies such as Arab shemaghs and chaplis sandals instead of standard Army boots. His unit, later known as the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), recruited men based on their composure and ability to maintain cohesion under pressure rather than conventional military skills. Emphasizing independence, the LRDG discarded military formalities—there were no parades or drills, and all members, regardless of rank, used first names and shared all duties equally.

Training focused intensively on navigation and signaling to cope with the vast, featureless desert terrain. The LRDG’s early operations in 1940 included creating deceptive vehicle movements to mislead Italian reconnaissance, as well as surprise raids on enemy communication lines and convoys. These tactics contributed significantly to British efforts despite limited resources.

Although the LRDG supported the emerging Special Air Service (SAS), sometimes even acting as a “Desert Taxi Service” for the younger unit, there was occasional friction between the two groups. An example recounted by former UK Special Forces mobility instructor “Titch” Cormack involved the SAS striking prematurely at enemy airfields, thwarting the LRDG’s carefully timed plans to inflict greater damage.

Cormack, who became familiar with LRDG methods through his military career and later chronicled their stories, praised the unit as pioneers of desert warfare and navigation. The LRDG’s efforts culminated in 1943 with the discovery of key mountain passes, enabling General Bernard Montgomery to execute a decisive flanking maneuver against the German Afrika Corps.

Despite their considerable impact, the LRDG was disbanded at the end of the war and its achievements largely overshadowed by those of the SAS. Bagnold himself maintained a low profile, contrasting with the more media-savvy SAS founder David Stirling. Cormack argues that both Bagnold and the LRDG deserve greater recognition for laying the groundwork for modern desert special operations.