Scenes of Long Range Desert Group Fezzan Campaign, North Africa, WWII [ca Dec 1940-Jan 1941]. Maj P. A. Clayton (second from right) with officers of the Free French party which joined the LRDG for the Fezzan raids in January 1941, and whose camels had brought petrol in cases through the Tibesti Mountains. Lt-Col J. C. d'Ornano is second from the left. Pan across landscape to d’Ornano, Clayton and others inspecting petrol boxes, then soldier working on artillery. LRDG vehicles drive across desert. Large group of LRDG vehicles and men lined up. Locals with [bayonets].
Scenes of [battle at Murzuk]. Long shot of [fort] on fire. Soldiers with men seated [Italian prisoners]. LRDG vehicles. Scenes at Traghen. Procession of local headman and elders carrying banners and surrendering, LRDG vehicles. Local headman and elders greet LRDG men including Major Clayton. Traveling shot towards Traghen. Major Clayton and men outside fort, LRDG soldiers [destroying machine guns and ammunition from fort]. LRDG vehicles.
Filmed by Trooper W. R. Adams of Whangarei (military service number 1074) of the Long Range Desert Group circa December 1940 to January 1941.
“The British army unit Long Range Desert Group was formed by Ralph Bagnold in 1940 and played a major part in the Allies victory in North Africa in World War Two. The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) became the forward eyes and ears of the Allies and together with the Special Air Service played a secretive but vital role for the Allies.
The LRDG had two particular roles in the war in North Africa. They were to get behind enemy lines and act as scouts and gather intelligence to feed back to British military headquarters. To begin with, Bagnold’s new unit was known as the Long Range Patrol Group.
After getting the agreement of General Wavell to create such a unit, Bagnold was given 150 New Zealand volunteers, most of whom had a farming background. Bagnold believed that they would be more adept at maintaining vehicles in a difficult environment should mechanical problems occur”. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/long_range_desert_group.htm