{"product_id":"fighting-with-the-long-range-desert-group-merlyn-craw-mms-war-19401945-9781399084277","title":"Fighting with the Long Range Desert Group: Merlyn Craw MM's War 1940-1945","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThe Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a British and Commonwealth Special Forces unit formed in 1940 to operate behind German and Italian lines in North Africa. Merlyn Craw joined the LRDG in 1941 and took part in numerous missions in the desert. He was captured on the Barce raid in September 1942 but escaped twice and rejoined the LRDG with no questions asked, serving until the end of the war. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 272 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 17 May 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pen \u0026amp; Sword Books Ltd\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Long Range Desert Group, founded in 1940, was a pioneering Allied Special Forces unit tasked with operating behind German and Italian lines in North Africa. Comprising officers and men drawn from British and Commonwealth units, the LRDG was a volunteer force renowned for its exceptional skills in navigation, driving, and fighting. Merlyn Craw, a member of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, joined the LRDG in 1941 and participated in numerous desert missions. The LRDG's prowess in these areas was legendary, and they were often responsible for transporting Stirling's SAS detachments on raids.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHowever, Merlyn's luck ran out during the Barce raid in September 1942, when he was captured. Despite being held captive, he managed to escape twice, the second time making it back to Allied lines. Sent home on leave, he returned to Italy with the New Zealand Army but went AWOL and rejoined the LRDG without any questions asked, serving until the end of the war. Drawing on interviews with Merlyn and other former LRDG veterans, the author has crafted a vivid portrait of this exceptional and highly decorated combatant. Readers cannot help but be impressed by the courage and unwavering determination of Merlyn Craw MM and his comrades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 858g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 181 x 254 x 27 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781399084277\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brendan O'Carroll","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44101035655418,"sku":"9781399084277","price":17.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1655461316033_book.jpg?v=1655646963","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/fighting-with-the-long-range-desert-group-merlyn-craw-mms-war-19401945-9781399084277","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}