Fighting with the Long Range Desert Group

Merlyn Craw MM's War 1940–1945

Brendan O'Carroll

• Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
• Year: 2022
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781399084307
• Subtopic: African History
• Index: History

Formed in 1940 the Long Range Desert Group was the first Allied Special Forces unit established to operate behind German and Italian lines in North Africa. Its officers and men were volunteers recruited from British and Commonwealth units. Merlyn Craw was serving with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force when he joined the LRDG in 1941. He took part in numerous missions in the desert. The navigational driving and fighting skills of the LRDG were legendary and they were frequently responsible for transporting Stirling's SAS detachments on raids. Merlyn's luck ran out when he was captured on the Barce raid in September 1942, but he escaped twice, the second time making it back to Allied lines. Sent home on leave, he returned to Italy with the New Zealand Army. After a 'disagreement' he went AWOL and rejoined the LRDG with no questions asked, serving until the end of the war. Drawing on interviews with Merlyn and other former LRDG veterans, the author has created a vivid picture of this exceptional and highly decorated fighting man. Readers cannot fail to be impressed by the courage and ruthless determination of Merlyn Craw MM and his comrades.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Book Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• A Dedication to Brave Men
• Introduction
• Chapter One Egypt
• Chapter Two With the Long Range Desert Group
• Chapter Three Kufra
• Chapter Four Tazerbo
• Chapter Five Supporting the Eighth Army
• Chapter Six The Road Watch
• Chapter Seven Convoy Attacks
• Chapter Eight Recollections
• Chapter Nine With the SAS
• Chapter Ten Barce Raid
• Chapter Eleven PoW Italy
• Chapter Twelve Back to Italy
• Chapter Thirteen Postwar Years
• Appendix I Maintaining the LRDG in the Field
• Appendix II Organization
• Appendix III Supplies
• Appendix IV Navigation
• Appendix V March Discipline, Duties of Vehicle Commander and Driver
• Appendix VI Cross-Country Driving
• Appendix VII Use of Ground to Conceal Tracks, Deception of Hostile Aircraft
• Appendix VIII Defence Against Air Attack
• Appendix IX Halts, Camps, Leaguers
• Appendix X Rations, Messing, Water etc.
• Bibliography
• Index
• Back Cover