Non Vi Sed Arte -- Not by Strength, by Guile
The LRDG Vehicles

For centuries, the ship of the desert was the camel. With the invention of the automobile, this all changed. However, the typical automobile could not cross the desert without modifications. Fortunately Ralph Bagnold had been an avid desert explorer before the onset of World War II and knew a thing or two about operating a motor car in some of the harshest environments on the planet Earth.

The LRDG truck was the result of a culmination of almost fourteen years of desert exploration before World War II. Specially fitted tires, a water condenser for the radiator, sand mats, sand channels, a sun compass, and numerous other modification made it possible for a small band of soldiers to accomplish what few men ever imagined could be accomplished. The LRDG trucks became a mobile oasis in the desert for the troops who relied on them.

It was not uncommon for trucks to set out overloaded with as much as two tons or more of supplies. They would some times leave fuel and supply dumps in designated spots for future use. The usual crew for the 1 1/2 ton truck was three men, driver, gunner and commander. Of course these men also had other duties. For instance the commander may be the wireless operator, medical orderly, navigator, fitter (mechanic) and so on. And of course sometimes someone may swap off with the driver and give him rest. At first, the patrols had ten vehicles but this proved cumbersome and the letter patrols were divided into two numbered patrols. Hence Y patrol became Y1 and Y2 Patrols. This doubled the number of patrols and commanders as well as the number of other necessary personnel. When the patrols were divided the usual number of vehicles was six per patrol but this was based on the mission and also the availability of vehicles. All patrols set out with a wireless (radio) truck. At times a patrol may have as few four vehicles or have other vehicles attached increasing the total number of vehicles. When Lloyd Owen set out for the Tobruk raid he left with ten vehicles. According to his book, he left with six LRDG vehicles and four 3 tonners used by Haselden and the Commandos.

See also:

Below is a selection of the most important trucks used by the LRDG patrols.



Chevrolet 1533X2 30cwt

After several false starts, the LRDG finally had an acceptable all around Patrol Truck. Surprisingly the truck is only two wheel drive. The 30 CWT was capable of hauling around one and half tons of supply and weapons. Pictured is a Chevrolet of Y patrol, which is having some difficulty with sand. It is armed with a single Vickers K and the reliable Vickers medium machine gun. The Vickers was a water cooled gun and was highly regarded by all who used it.

  • Engine: 235 CI Chevy in-line 6 cylinder*
  • Gears: 4 forward x 1 reverse
  • Fuel Capacity: a single 20 gallon tank
  • MPG: 12
  • Wheelbase 134 inches
  • Tires: 10.50X16
  • Max range on a single tank of fuel: @240 Miles

*In 1941, Chevrolet introduced a 235.5-cubic-inch version of their 216 engine which was used in their large trucks such as the 1 1/2 tonners. Both the bore (3.5625” or 90.49mm) and stroke (3.9375” or 100.01mm) were increased over the old 216.

See Ford vs. Chevy



Willys Jeep, Photo courtesy Brendan O'Carroll

The LRDG and the SAS both came up with the idea of using Jeeps as patrol vehicles. Unfortunately for the LRDG, the SAS was the first in line to receive them. Eventually the LRDG would get their own issued Jeeps but until that happened they would find and repair SAS Jeeps and then put them to use. LRDG Jeeps tended to be used as pilot cars (patrol O/C and 2 i/c). They rarely stored fuel cans on the Jeep bonnet (hood) or above the rear wheels. They also tended to carry fewer weapons. Often only single MG or perhaps a twin mount. In this case, a MG is front mounted and covered. Other guns may be stored. Note location of spare tire.

    Engine: 60 HP Willys "Go Devil" 4 cylinder
    Gears: 3 forward x 1 reverse
    Fuel Capacity 15 gallon tank
    MPG: @16
    Wheelbase 80 inches
    Payload: 600 pounds
    Tires: 6X16
    Max range on a single tank of fuel: @240 Miles



15 CWT Pilot Chevrolet 1311X3

With a wheelbase of 101 inches, the slightly smaller 15 CWT was capable of hauling about 3/4 tons of supplies. It acted primarily as a pilot car until it was replaced by the Jeep. As you can tell the 15 CWT looks very similar to the 30 CWT. The principal difference is the wheel wells around the rear tires and the front bumper, and of course the overall size. Unlike the 30 CWT which had a metal cargo bed, the 15 CWT has a wood cargo bed.

Behind the wheel of this 15 CWT is William Kennedy Shaw and riding shotgun is "Shorty" Barrett, LRDG Supply Officer. Note the camouflage pattern on the vehicle and the building!

  • Engine: 90 HP Chevy 216 cubic inch inline 6 cylinder
  • Gears: 4 forward x 1 reverse




Size comparison of the 15 CWT (1311X3) and 30 CWT (1533X2)


Headquarters & Heavy Section

Two 30CWT radio trucks and the first medical orderly 15CWT truck of the Headquarters Section.
The MO truck is the Mk. I, being canvas covered. The later Mk. II had a wood framed superstructure.
Note the extended ariel on the far 30CWT.

 

Vehicles of the Heavy Section included such trucks as

  • Ford Marmon Herrington 6ton
  • White 10ton
  • Mack NR9, N44
  • Ford F60 CMP
  • Other vehicles common to the LRDG
  • Captured axis trucks such as the 6 ton Lancia 3RO

Italian Lancia 3RO

The vehicles of the heavy section were not patrol vehicles but were used in the movement of heavy supplies to base camps behind enemy lines and for evacuation. The same type vehicles were also used to portee the guns and light tank of the short lived artillery section. These vehicles were often unarmed or lightly armed.

The Marmon Herringtons were later replaced with the Whites, and later Macks used as well. Along with these vehicles, the 30CWT Chevys, 15CWT Chevys, Jeeps, etc. were used by the Heavy Section.



Ford F30

The Ford F30 was a four wheel drive truck that replaced the earlier commercially produced Chevrolet 30 CWTs. It was heavier than the Chevrolets and this caused many problems while on patrol. The four speed Flathead V8 managed a poor 6 miles per gallon which was probably the main reason it was later replaced by the Chevrolet 1533X2 30cwt got a more economical 12 miles to the gallon.

    Engine: 239 CI Ford/Mercury V8 cylinder (Flathead)
    Gears: 4 forward x 1 reverse Fuel Capacity 2 12 ½ gallon tanks
    MPG: 6
    Wheelbase 134 1/4 inches
    Tires: 10.50X16
    Max range with standard fuel tanks: @150 Miles.

See Ford vs. Chevy



CMP Ford 8CWT

The CMP Ford 8CWT (F8) was tested by New Zealand's T Patrol as a possible replacement for the Chevrolet 15 CWT 1533X3. The Vehicle arrived around the same time as the Jeep. The two wheeled drive F8 lacked the four wheel drive capability of the new jeeps and the the carrying capacity of the old 15 CWT Chevys. It's career with the LRDG was limited, perhaps to a single patrol.



Breda Truck (The Scorpion's Tail)


(Thanks For the Photo, Jack!)

The basic Chevrolet 1533X2 30cwt mounting a Breda 20mm AA/AT gun. The Breda was one of the few excellent Italian made weapons. The Breda proved far superior to the Bofors AT gun in that it offered a more rapid rate of fire and protection against aircraft.

The photo above shows arc of fire for the weapon and a general idea of how the gun is removed from its tripod mount and bolted to the bed of the truck, or more likely through the bed of the bed of the truck and directly to the frame of the truck. The bed sides have been lowered slightly in the back portion of truck, however the front of the cargo area seems to be slightly higher, preventing a full 360 degree traverse of the gun with the barrel horizontal to the ground. I suspect this may have been intentional to prevent accidentally shooting the crew of the vehicle.



Early Chevrolet 30 CWT (WB Chevrolet)

The early Chevrolets were locally procured civilian trucks. They were marginally successful but the LRDG thought they could do better. The principle design feature that set these vehicles apart from other trucks is the horizontal grill and round fenders on the rear wheels. The vehicle is armed with a Boys AT rifle and a Lewis Gun. Also note the camouflage pattern, possible middle stone over a desert pink, sand, or lt blue. Also of note is the civilian license plate. These trucks used the Chevrolet 85 HP 216 cubic inch in-line 6 cylinder engine

David Knudsen's restored Chevy, WA.        
Photo courtesy the LRDG Preservation Society



Early Ford 15 CWT Pilot Car

The early Pilot Car was the Ford 15 CWT, also locally procured. The trucks are modified 1940 Ford 01 Pick-up trucks. The distinguishing feature of the vehicle is the V grill in front. Among the modifications is a set of new rear fenders which provides easy access to the tires, and swan neck machine gun mounts. At first the Fords still had their doors but these were later removed. A superstructure of wood is built us around the truck bed. Storage bins were then affixed to this superstructure. Usual armament consisted of the Vickers .303 MG, a Lewis Gun, and the Boys AT rifle.