SAS–LRDG Cooperation in the Western Desert, 1940–1942
The emergence of British special operations in the Western Desert during the early years of the Second World War was driven by necessity, geography, and innovation. Vast distances, harsh terrain, and limited conventional reach required new methods of reconnaissance, raiding, and mobility. Two organisations would become central to this effort: the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and the Special Air Service (SAS).
Formed in 1940 under the command of Major Ralph Bagnold, the LRDG was established to conduct long-range reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines. Drawing on pre-war desert exploration experience, the unit developed unparalleled expertise in navigation, vehicle modification, and desert survival. Operating primarily in small, self-sufficient patrols, the LRDG provided intelligence, guided strike forces, and disrupted Axis operations across Libya and Egypt.
The SAS emerged slightly later, in 1941, under the leadership of Lieutenant David Stirling. Conceived as a small, aggressive raiding force, its purpose was to attack enemy airfields, supply dumps, and communications infrastructure. Early SAS operations demonstrated both the potential and the vulnerability of such forces when operating independently in extreme condition.
Cooperation between the SAS and the LRDG quickly proved essential. The LRDG’s ability to navigate, transport, and sustain troops deep in the desert enabled SAS detachments to reach targets previously considered inaccessible. In turn, SAS raids amplified the operational impact of LRDG patrols, shifting from observation alone to direct offensive action.
Early Operations and Development
Initial SAS missions met with mixed success. Operation Squatter, conducted in November 1941, highlighted shortcomings in planning and insertion methods when airborne drops were disrupted by weather and navigation errors.
These early setbacks reinforced the importance of ground-based insertion using experienced desert navigators.
From this point, LRDG vehicles increasingly transported SAS raiding parties to and from their objectives. This partnership allowed precise timing, surprise, and extraction, minimising losses while maximising operational effect. Attacks on Axis airfields at Sirte, Tamet, and Agedabia demonstrated the growing effectiveness of combined operations.
Organisation and Roles
The LRDG operated primarily as reconnaissance patrols, typically composed of New Zealand, British, and Rhodesian personnel. Patrols were lightly armed but highly mobile, using modified Chevrolet and Ford trucks adapted for long-range desert travel.
The SAS, initially organised into small detachments, focused on demolition and sabotage. Personnel were selected for initiative, resilience, and independence. As cooperation matured, the two units developed shared procedures, communications methods, and logistical planning.
Strategic Impact
By late 1941 and into 1942, SAS–LRDG cooperation had achieved disproportionate results. Axis aircraft destroyed on the ground, fuel depots demolished, and communications disrupted contributed to reduced enemy operational tempo. The psychological impact of raids deep in the rear areas further strained Axis resources. This cooperation also influenced British doctrine. Lessons learned in the Western Desert informed the later expansion of the SAS and the development of post-war special forces doctrine, emphasising mobility, intelligence-led operations, and joint cooperation.
Legacy
The partnership between the SAS and the LRDG represents one of the earliest successful examples of modern special operations integration. It demonstrated that small, well-trained units, operating with accurate intelligence and logistical support, could exert strategic influence far beyond their size.
The disbandment of the LRDG in 1943 and the expansion of the SAS into a larger, more formalised unit marked the end of this particular phase of desert warfare. However, the principles established during this period remain central to special forces worldwide.
Special Air Service (SAS) & Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)
Overview
The Special Air Service (SAS) and the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) were elite British special forces units whose operational reach and effectiveness during the Second World War far exceeded their size. Operating deep behind enemy lines in North Africa, their missions combined reconnaissance, sabotage, and raiding under conditions of extreme isolation.
Both units produced a disproportionately high number of gallantry awards and became foundational to modern special operations doctrine.
The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)
Formed in 1940, the LRDG was tasked with long-range desert reconnaissance and independent patrol operations. Personnel were selected for navigation skill, mechanical aptitude, endurance, and self-discipline. The unit operated far beyond conventional supply and command structures.
Motto:
“Not by Strength, by Guile” (Non vi sed arte)
LRDG Patrol Structure
Patrols were organised into lettered elements, commonly referenced in service records and medal citations:
R Patrol, T Patrol, G Patrol, S Patrol, W Patrol, Y Patrol.
Gallantry Awards and Decorations
Awards Commonly Earned
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Military Cross (MC)
Military Medal (MM)
Mention in Despatches (MID)
Campaign Medals
1939–45 Star
Africa Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939–45
Many SAS and LRDG medal groups are accompanied by minimal citation detail due to the classified or unconventional nature of operations.
The following locations recur in patrol reports, operational summaries, and medal citations:
Tamet – Isolated desert airfield targeted during SAS ground raids.
Sirte – Coastal air and supply hub.
Benghazi – Major Axis port and airfield complex.
Jalo Oasis – Strategic navigation and staging location.
Kufra – Deep desert stronghold and operational waypoint.
Murzuq – Desert fort and raid objective.