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Products mentioned in this Article
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Before the war, Major Ralph Bagnold pioneered some of the critical
developments necessary for motorised travel across the formidable Sahara
Desert. Building on his achievements and innovations, such as the
famous Bagnold Sundial Compass, the British deployed several raiding
forces in the Libyan desert. |
"Use these figures to represent dismounted LRDG Rifle teams or SAS SMG teams."
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The original formation was the Long Range Desert
Group, which conducted its first missions in late 1940. From then on,
the LRDG operated with the Free French based in Chad and helped conduct a
hugely successful raid against Murzuk in preparation for the French
attack on Kufra the following month. |
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The Rifle Team in Flames Of War
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Team |
Range
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ROF
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Anti-tank
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Firepower
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Notes
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Rifle Team
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16"/40cm
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1
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2
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6
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-
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As the war raged on, the LRDG was joined by the Special Air Service
(SAS) and other small forces such as Popski’s Private Army. All of these
proved themselves to be quite adept at taking the battle to the enemy’s
rear echelon troops. By the end of 1942 the LRDG and SAS had achieved
great success. The two forces complemented each other well as the LRDG
preferred more passive missions such as intelligence gathering, while
the SAS took on the more active and destructive missions. |
The SMG Team in Flames Of War
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Team
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Range
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ROF
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Anti-tank
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Firepower |
Notes
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SMG team
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4"/10cm
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3
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1
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6
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Full ROF when moving. |
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Their impact on the campaigns along the coastline
cannot be overlooked as the raids took a heavy toll on Axis aircraft,
supplies, and reinforcements. The Germans and Italians were forced to
commit more and more troops to protect their rear, which helped give the
British the initiative they so badly needed in the North African
campaign. |
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The British desert raiders were an inspiration to many other armies in
the war and soon other countries, such as the United States, sought to
replicate the raiders’ successes.
Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Wayne Turner |
The LRDG/SAS Dismounted Patrol Ready For Action
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Last Updated On Friday, November 18, 2011 by Blake at Battlefront
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