PIRATES OF THE SAND!

The LRDG was formed by chance. A damaged troopship docked in Alexandria, Egypt, depositing Major Ralph Bagnold, a Royal Engineers officer with extensive prewar experience exploring the Great Libyan Desert. Bagnold had developed techniques for long-distance desert travel and navigation, never imagining they would be used in war.

After a newspaper notice drew attention to his expertise, Bagnold met Middle East commander Sir Archibald Wavell and proposed a small mobile scouting force to penetrate the western desert and gather intelligence on Italian forces. When asked what they would do if they found nothing, Bagnold joked about “piracy on the high desert.” Wavell approved, and within five weeks Bagnold assembled the LRDG.