"31 January 1941:The tide of the Desert War in North Africa has turned against Italy, which has attacked British-occupied Egypt. The Italian northern front has collapsed and their army is in full retreat west towards Tripoli. Meanwhile in the far south among some isolated hills, two small mobile Special Forces units of the belligerent nations, the Compagnia Autosahariana di Cufra and T Patrol of the Long Range Desert Group, clash. This story was to become known as the incident at Jebel Sherif. 26 November 2006: After a long journey from the north, another small group rediscovers the same hills. This is the story of the incident at Jebel Sherif. For the first time, all available reports and accounts have been gathered and evaluated. An interview with a NZ veteran and the assistance of the LRDG Patrol Commander's son, together with two recent visits to the location, have allowed the authors to draw the most probable conclusions about the sequence of events. The book provides not only full details about the incident at Jebel Sherif, but also contains a dramatic account of the desert journey to and from this very remote location. This book is intended as a memorial to those - of any nation - who suffered and lost their lives during the years of the colonial occupation of Libya, the Second World War and all the conflicts that followed."--Publisher's description.

Amazing revelations and extraordinary exploits of Australia's elite secret warriors. There was something unique about Australians and New Zealanders in war that prompted World War II Allied commanders to turn to ANZAC soldiers, sailors and airmen to carry out the most dangerous and virtually impossible missions behind enemy lines. Paddling canoes 4,000 kilometres to attack enemy ships in Singapore; lightning raids on Rommel's forces in the deserts of North Africa. Flying bombers at tree-top level deep into Nazi Germany to destroy vital targets; rescuing sultans and future US presidents from under the noses of the Japanese and playing crucial roles in the greatest commando raid of the war at St Nazaire - the Aussies and Kiwis were there. The special forces showed incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. They were determined to complete their missions. Often alone and far behind enemy lines,they demonstrated resourcefulness, spirit and a humanity that inspired others to follow them. Frank Walker, author of bestselling books on the Vietnam War and the British atomic tests in Australia, brings to life the amazing exploits and extraordinary stories of this select band of heroes..

This is the story of the New Zealand R Patrol, Long Range Desert Group, who within their ranks had some very distinguished icons such as Jake Easonsmith, Don Steele, Dick Croucher Tony Browne, Bluey Grimsey, and Buster Gibb. Their stories are told, including that of many others, mostly in the words of the participants themselves by way of wartime operational reports, diaries, personal letters, and post war interviews. This provides a human touch to the narrative, examining the thoughts and observations of those who served. The work also explains the formation of the unit, including its early missions and of the vehicles, supplies, weapons, and equipment used. In addition, serving as a ‘Taxi Service’ for behind the line missions carrying agents, commandos, military observers, rescuing downed airmen and escaped PoWs. Chapters are also devoted to working with the SAS and Free French, supporting the Eighth Army, and undertaking the Road Watch. This includes dramatic accounts of air attacks and ground actions against enemy convoys and engagements with Axis forces. This is all supported by 288 images including maps and art.

ost probably the readers of this magazine have never heard of the original TRACKS. I was in the very same situation until by the end of 2020, when NZ LRDG-historian Brendan OCarroll has provided me with a hardly readable copy of the June 1941 issue of TRACKS. I was immediately fascinated by these windows into the past and just thought: "We should revive TRACKS! " The editor of the original Tracks was, that time 20 years old, TA Sgt. N.A Moore, a clerk attached to LRDG Group HQ. The June 1941 issue was created by him when the LRDG HQ was located at Kufra. There he got the idea to create a "house paper" for the unit. He recalled in a letter which was published in the 1991 Newsletter of the LRDG Association, that there were only a very limited number of people who were willing to contribute and that this first edition was mainly launched thanks to the contribution of Lieut. Col. Bagnold and Captain Kennedy Shaw. And indeed, the June 1941 remained the single and only issue of Tracks - it was never published again.... until today! After TRACKS 2021 and TRACKS 2022 is now the third issue of the "re-vived" magazine.

Thomas Edward Lawrence finds himself enmeshed in intrigue and open warfare in Arabia during the First World War. Adapting and embracing the culture of the Arabs, his story becomes one of both personal contemplation and stunning resourcefulness on the battlefield. The author looks back on his time spent as a British officer working with Arab forces in their fight against the German-allied Ottoman Turks. Planning and participating in numerous attacks as well as acts of often ingenious sabotage, Lawrence describes scenes of wartime action with gripping immediacy that clearly relays the savagery and confusion of combat. His engagement with Arab soldiers and championing of their cause endeared him to those he served with and afforded him the opportunity to write sharp character portrayals of several of his most notable comrades. In addition, there are rich asides on military strategy and guerrilla warfare, desert geography and history, as well as a consistent probing introspection as the author finds himself transformed by all he has experienced. Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a singular work that is at once a sweeping adventure story, a valuable primary historical source with modern relevance, and the deeply felt memoir of an extraordinary man. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Seven Pillars of Wisdom is both modern and readable.