U-series. The Long Range Desert Group. Part 1

Part 1 of 8
Broadcaster Doug Laurenson [Military Service no. 34957] introduces a series of talks by the members of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), or alternatively, the Long Range Patrol (LRP) which is comprised mostly of New Zealanders under the command of British officers who have, for the past ten years, spent their leave exploring the Libyan Desert "for fun."

He goes on to describe the difference between the country fringing the coast of the Mediterranean, and inland where the desert sweeps back to the equator and is lifeless as the moon. In this area, the LRDG crossed the tracks of motor vehicles made by the Duke of Westminster's motorised column during the Great War, a quarter of a century earlier.

He introduces Tony Browne [military service number 4444] of Wellington, a member of the LRDG, who is to interview other members of the group about their work.

The introduction by Doug Laurenson is the only audio available online.

This item is part of a collection of recordings made by the Mobile Broadcasting Units, which travelled overseas with New Zealand forces between 1940-1945. They recorded New Zealanders' experiences of war and messages to their families and friends, which were sent back home to be played on a weekly radio programme.