Bolt Action: Special Air Service & LRDG

The LRDG and the SAS, the elite of all fighting units. From the harsh environment of the desert, on to Italy, then behind the lines in Europe, these elite units gathered intelligence and became a thorn in the Axis side time and again.

LRDG
The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was an unconventional unit that specialised in deep penetration raids and intelligence gathering behind enemy lines.

They used a variety of vehicles, most famously the 30 cwt Chevrolet, all of which were festooned with weaponry of all types. This included captured Breda 20mm AA cannons, and Swedish built 37mm Bofors anti-tank guns, which were mounted facing over the back. Although not ‘armoured’ in any way these vehicles are so well armed we’ve included them in the Armoured Car section as they are primarily combat vehicles rather than transports. 

SAS
Captain David Stirling’s SAS (Special Air Service) had carved their regiment’s name in the annals of history through their daring raids in the Western Desert. With the North African campaign won by the Allies, the SAS were split up to prey on German and Italian forces in other theatres.

Supremely flexible, as ever, the SAS men quickly adapted and they would retain the regimental philosophy of setting up bases behind enemy lines, gathering vital intelligence and, if the opportunity presented itself, wreak havoc before slipping away. During the actions in France the SAS often had four-man units working with local French Resistance cells, with bridges, railway lines, supply dumps, etc all becoming favoured targets as they continued to harass and disrupt the enemy.