During World War II, a tiny British special operations force called the Long Range Desert Group invented a number of special operations mission sets and had a significant influence on the development of special operations capabilities in other nations.
The Long-Range Desert Group (LRDG), a small British special operations unit, played a significant role in the Allied victory over the German and Italian forces in North Africa during World War II. The LRDG specialized in strategic reconnaissance, direct action, and infiltration and exfiltration of other special operations units. Its success was due to the intelligence gathered during strategic reconnaissance missions and mapmaking capabilities. The LRDG was an imperial melting pot, with soldiers from across the British Empire, and its raiding operations captured enemy supplies. The LRDG’s skills and tactics influenced the creation of special operations units in other countries, including the Australian Special Air Service and New Zealand Air Service.
