1/
Today’s starter for 10…
Who pioneered the airfield raid in North Africa?
The SAS, you say? You've been reading too much Phantom Major.
It was the LRDG, with some help from the Free French.
This is the story of one of the great guerrilla raids of WW2 - Murzuk, Jan 11 1941.
Today’s starter for 10…
Who pioneered the airfield raid in North Africa?
The SAS, you say? You've been reading too much Phantom Major.
It was the LRDG, with some help from the Free French.
This is the story of one of the great guerrilla raids of WW2 - Murzuk, Jan 11 1941.
2/
One of my main gripes with the Phantom Major flannel is that it diminishes the LRDG. At David Stirling’s memorial service in 1991, Fitzroy Maclean said: “Ahead of anyone, David saw the unique opportunity...for a small, well-trained, well-led force to carry out surprise attacks
One of my main gripes with the Phantom Major flannel is that it diminishes the LRDG. At David Stirling’s memorial service in 1991, Fitzroy Maclean said: “Ahead of anyone, David saw the unique opportunity...for a small, well-trained, well-led force to carry out surprise attacks
3/
…on the rear of the formidable, but fully extended, Afrika Korps, while using the empty desert to the south as Lawrence used the Arabian desert, to emerge out of and then fade back into.”
Eh?!
The LRDG were doing that before Stirling had even arrived in N Africa.
…on the rear of the formidable, but fully extended, Afrika Korps, while using the empty desert to the south as Lawrence used the Arabian desert, to emerge out of and then fade back into.”
Eh?!
The LRDG were doing that before Stirling had even arrived in N Africa.
4/
I quote Major David Lloyd Owen (left), LRDG, 1941-45, who wrote the LRDG entry in Dent’s Everyman Encyclopaedia of 1949:
“Its role began as one of reconnaissance, but their mobility, training & knowledge of the desert fitted them admirably for harassing the enemy offensively.”
I quote Major David Lloyd Owen (left), LRDG, 1941-45, who wrote the LRDG entry in Dent’s Everyman Encyclopaedia of 1949:
“Its role began as one of reconnaissance, but their mobility, training & knowledge of the desert fitted them admirably for harassing the enemy offensively.”
5/
Back to Murzuk. The raid was led by Pat Clayton (pic ), 44, a veteran of WW1, who had explored the Libyan desert with LRDG founder Ralph Bagnold inter-war. Clayton was surveying in Tanganyika when Bagnold cabled him in 1940 asking him to join the LRDG.
Delighted to, he replied
Back to Murzuk. The raid was led by Pat Clayton (pic ), 44, a veteran of WW1, who had explored the Libyan desert with LRDG founder Ralph Bagnold inter-war. Clayton was surveying in Tanganyika when Bagnold cabled him in 1940 asking him to join the LRDG.
Delighted to, he replied
6/
Clayton, the epitome of the self-effacing Englishman, described himself as a ‘civil servant of low medical category’.
In fact he is one of the most important figures in the history of British special forces, and one of the least known.
So this one’s for you, Pat.
Clayton, the epitome of the self-effacing Englishman, described himself as a ‘civil servant of low medical category’.
In fact he is one of the most important figures in the history of British special forces, and one of the least known.
So this one’s for you, Pat.
7/
Clayton arrived in Cairo on July 29, 1940 & nine days later led the inaugural LRDG patrol into the desert in two Chevrolet trucks. Just him, Ali Fadail his ‘old driver friend’ from his Desert Survey days & in Clayton’s words six “enormous and terrifyingly fit New Zealanders”.
Clayton arrived in Cairo on July 29, 1940 & nine days later led the inaugural LRDG patrol into the desert in two Chevrolet trucks. Just him, Ali Fadail his ‘old driver friend’ from his Desert Survey days & in Clayton’s words six “enormous and terrifyingly fit New Zealanders”.
8/
The patrol lasted August 7 to 19, during which time they covered 1,600 miles, carried out the first ‘roadwatch’ & proved the efficacy of the LRDG. Bagnold (pic) said General Wavell, on hearing of the patrol, "made up his mind then and there to give us his strongest backing".
The patrol lasted August 7 to 19, during which time they covered 1,600 miles, carried out the first ‘roadwatch’ & proved the efficacy of the LRDG. Bagnold (pic) said General Wavell, on hearing of the patrol, "made up his mind then and there to give us his strongest backing".
9/
Clayton & his Kiwis of T Patrol were off again in October, covering 2,100m in 15 days & this time carrying out a series of offensive actions, including vehicle ambushes & the capture of the fort at Aujila (west of Jalo, pic). The stunned garrison surrendered meekly
Clayton & his Kiwis of T Patrol were off again in October, covering 2,100m in 15 days & this time carrying out a series of offensive actions, including vehicle ambushes & the capture of the fort at Aujila (west of Jalo, pic). The stunned garrison surrendered meekly
10/
Murzuk was Bagnold’s idea – but at 1000 miles from Cairo it was out of the LRDG range. So he requested logistical help from Free French at Chad. ‘Mais oui,’ said Lt-Col Jean d’Ornano (pic), but only if we can come on the raid. Bagnold saw a chance for some Entente Cordiale
Murzuk was Bagnold’s idea – but at 1000 miles from Cairo it was out of the LRDG range. So he requested logistical help from Free French at Chad. ‘Mais oui,’ said Lt-Col Jean d’Ornano (pic), but only if we can come on the raid. Bagnold saw a chance for some Entente Cordiale
11/
On Dec 27 1940 Major Clayton left Cairo, at the head of a combined force (pic) of T & G Patrols – 76 men in all in 23 vehicles. They saw in the New Year camped in the middle of the Great Sand Sea, with a tot of rum and a sing-song round the camp fire
On Dec 27 1940 Major Clayton left Cairo, at the head of a combined force (pic) of T & G Patrols – 76 men in all in 23 vehicles. They saw in the New Year camped in the middle of the Great Sand Sea, with a tot of rum and a sing-song round the camp fire
12/
On Jan 4 they reached Tazerbo, 350m east of Murzuk. Clayton drove south to Chad to collect the party of 10 Free French led by d’Ornano.
At midday on Jan 11, the raiders were 10 miles north of Murzuk, having travelled 1,333m since Cairo.
Kiwi Frank Jopling was one (pic)
On Jan 4 they reached Tazerbo, 350m east of Murzuk. Clayton drove south to Chad to collect the party of 10 Free French led by d’Ornano.
At midday on Jan 11, the raiders were 10 miles north of Murzuk, having travelled 1,333m since Cairo.
Kiwi Frank Jopling was one (pic)
13/
Gentlemen never raid on an empty stomach. Having recce-ed the target, they had a spot of luncheon & finalised plans. Bill Kennedy-Shaw ended his intel briefing with a Machiavelli quote: "Those enterprises are best which can be concealed up to the moment of their fulfilment."
Gentlemen never raid on an empty stomach. Having recce-ed the target, they had a spot of luncheon & finalised plans. Bill Kennedy-Shaw ended his intel briefing with a Machiavelli quote: "Those enterprises are best which can be concealed up to the moment of their fulfilment."
14/
They set off for the fort, en route intercepting the fort’s postmaster, signor Colicchia, on his bicycle. Clayto invited the ‘terrified official’ to come along for the ride. The force split, Clayton driving to the airfield & G Patrol under Mike Crichton-Stuart for the fort.
They set off for the fort, en route intercepting the fort’s postmaster, signor Colicchia, on his bicycle. Clayto invited the ‘terrified official’ to come along for the ride. The force split, Clayton driving to the airfield & G Patrol under Mike Crichton-Stuart for the fort.
15/
C-Stuart said as they approached the fort, "the Guard turned out" in the assumption the convoy was Italian. “We were rather sorry for them, but they probably never knew what hit them,” said C-S.
The fight lasted 2 hours, the LRDG using mortars & 37mm Bofors.
Pic: Fort burns
C-Stuart said as they approached the fort, "the Guard turned out" in the assumption the convoy was Italian. “We were rather sorry for them, but they probably never knew what hit them,” said C-S.
The fight lasted 2 hours, the LRDG using mortars & 37mm Bofors.
Pic: Fort burns
16/
On the airfield (pic), the LRDG destroyed 3 light bombers, a large fuel dump, pill boxes & killed several enemy. There was stiff resistance from inside a hangar but eventually Clayton persuaded 20 Italian aircrew to surrender. Those inside the fort had also waved a white flag
On the airfield (pic), the LRDG destroyed 3 light bombers, a large fuel dump, pill boxes & killed several enemy. There was stiff resistance from inside a hangar but eventually Clayton persuaded 20 Italian aircrew to surrender. Those inside the fort had also waved a white flag
17/
The raiders suffered two fatalities: D’Ornano & Sgt Cyril Hewson. The pair were buried 5m north of Murzuk. A bullet went through the calf of French captain Jacques Massu, who cauterized the wound with a cigarette.
Massu (pic) with de Gaulle during the Algerian war in late 50s
The raiders suffered two fatalities: D’Ornano & Sgt Cyril Hewson. The pair were buried 5m north of Murzuk. A bullet went through the calf of French captain Jacques Massu, who cauterized the wound with a cigarette.
Massu (pic) with de Gaulle during the Algerian war in late 50s
18/
Clayton took 2 POWs & left the rest to spread alarm & despondency among the Italian military. The next day the LRDG drove towards the Tibesti Mountains in Chad, overrunning a small outpost at Traghen along the way.
Clayton’s luck ran out on Jan 31, when he was captured.
Clayton took 2 POWs & left the rest to spread alarm & despondency among the Italian military. The next day the LRDG drove towards the Tibesti Mountains in Chad, overrunning a small outpost at Traghen along the way.
Clayton’s luck ran out on Jan 31, when he was captured.
19/
Materially, the Murzuk raid was inconsequential but psychologically it was a masterstroke. The Italians became even more demoralized - was nowhere safe?!
It also did wonders for Anglo-Free French relations.
All in all,a superb guerrilla operation, later emulated by the SAS.
Materially, the Murzuk raid was inconsequential but psychologically it was a masterstroke. The Italians became even more demoralized - was nowhere safe?!
It also did wonders for Anglo-Free French relations.
All in all,a superb guerrilla operation, later emulated by the SAS.
20/
Post-war, the David Stirling fan club (amazingly, there are still members, like Japanese soldiers holed up on remote Pacific Islands in the 1960s, they refuse to accept the truth) like to claim their hero originated the vehicle attack.
But he was an imitator not an innovator
Post-war, the David Stirling fan club (amazingly, there are still members, like Japanese soldiers holed up on remote Pacific Islands in the 1960s, they refuse to accept the truth) like to claim their hero originated the vehicle attack.
But he was an imitator not an innovator
21/
This from the book, Rogue Warrior, describing the SAS vehicle attack on Bagush, June 42: "Then Stirling had another of his inspirations, as always so shiningly simple that anyone, in theory, might have thought of it. They would drive on to the field and shoot up the planes."
This from the book, Rogue Warrior, describing the SAS vehicle attack on Bagush, June 42: "Then Stirling had another of his inspirations, as always so shiningly simple that anyone, in theory, might have thought of it. They would drive on to the field and shoot up the planes."
22/
Clayton wrote to his sister-in-law from his POW camp in Feb 1941. He said:
“I had a good run and can’t complain – I was much more likely to be killed or maimed; after all, I took out 2 forts, an aerodrome & burnt Murzuk – not bad for 44.”
Pic: Murzuk's flag, a LRDG souvenir.
Clayton wrote to his sister-in-law from his POW camp in Feb 1941. He said:
“I had a good run and can’t complain – I was much more likely to be killed or maimed; after all, I took out 2 forts, an aerodrome & burnt Murzuk – not bad for 44.”
Pic: Murzuk's flag, a LRDG souvenir.
23/
Pat Clayton, DSO, MBE, died in 1962 aged 65.
He received his MBE for his work as a forger in his POW camp, making highly authentic identity cards for escapers. He was also awarded the Royal Geographical Society Founder’s Medal for his survey work in Egypt.
Pat Clayton, DSO, MBE, died in 1962 aged 65.
He received his MBE for his work as a forger in his POW camp, making highly authentic identity cards for escapers. He was also awarded the Royal Geographical Society Founder’s Medal for his survey work in Egypt.
24/24
In the 1962 LRDG newsletter, intel officer Bill Kennedy-Shaw said:
“Clayton spent most of his time with a NZ patrol…I know something of the respect & affection they had for him – respect for his leadership & great knowledge of the desert, & affection for the ‘old man’."
In the 1962 LRDG newsletter, intel officer Bill Kennedy-Shaw said:
“Clayton spent most of his time with a NZ patrol…I know something of the respect & affection they had for him – respect for his leadership & great knowledge of the desert, & affection for the ‘old man’."
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