Formed in 1940, the Long Range Desert Group was tasked specifically to carry out deep penetration, covert reconnaissance patrols and intelligence gathering missions from behind Axis lines during the North Africa and Sicily campaigns in World War Two. The LRDG were experts in desert navigation and were often assigned to support and guide other units, including the Special Air Service and secret agents from the OSS and MI6 across the North African desert. During the Desert Campaign between December 1940 and April 1943, the vehicles of the LRDG operated constantly behind the Axis lines harassing enemy troop movements, conducting road-watching recon missions, and supporting larger combat operations.
The LRDG would carry a number of weapons on their trucks throughout the desert campaigns including the Vickers, Vickers K, Boy's Anti-tank Gun, Lewis Gun, and even captured German and Italian machine guns.
The Chevy 1533-2 CWT30 series trucks, were right hand drive made by Canadian licensed manufacturers. With a top speed of 40 MPH, the CWT30's had a 216 Cl Inline 6, with the truck weighing in at 2 TONs fully loaded.
The trucks served as the home to their contingent of LRDG members. Each truck carried 3-4 soldiers with the driver, co-driver, and gunner rotating between each of the positions during operations.
The Eagle Field Foundation is a California based 501C3 non-profit, all volunteer organization with a focus in education through the restoration and preservation of military artifacts, vehicles, and stories from the early 1900’s to Present Day.
