Review: TRACKS – the Magazine commemorating the LRDG

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Title: TRACKS – the Magazine commemorating the LRDG
Issue: No.1 June 2021
Editorial, Layout & Design: Kuno Gross

MLU Forum member Kuno Gross is an experienced desert traveler and published author on desert warfare and aviation (e.g. “Incident at Jebel Sherif”, “Operation Salam”, “Bagnold Sun Compass”, “Pilatus SB-2 Pelikan”).

The publication of this magazine was triggered by a copy of the June 1941 issue of TRACKS, the “house paper” of the LRDG of which only a single issue was published. Kuno was fascinated by this window into the past and published what may be seen as the second edition of TRACKS, 80 years after the first one. He found some notable LRDG experts willing to contribute to this magazine, including Sam Watson, John Valenti (LRDG Preservation Society) and others.

As I provided some vehicle information, I was given a copy as a sneak preview. As it is a magazine well worth reading, I am happy to present this review.

This issue of TRACKS provides the reader with a well balanced mix of articles like historical backgrounds on people and events, review of historical sites, battlefield finds, technical details on the vehicles used by the LRDG and some glimpses into the original issue of TRACKS. See the full table of contents below.

While pictures of the LRDG Ford F30 CMP truck with census number L4406114 sitting in the Sand Sea near Ain Dalla have been shown on the internet and printed media before, this magazine is the only one I have read that publishes a detailed research into its history. It is amazing to see how much Ian Chard managed to deduct from a satchel full of British Army B111 service conduct sheets which was found behind the driver’s seat in 1975.

It is that level of detail, researched and written by authors with a deep knowledge of the LRDG, what makes this magazine worth recommending to anyone in interested in the LRDG and the desert war in WW2 in general.

Note: by buying this magazine, either in print or pdf-format, you are supporting the publication of the next edition.

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CONTENT 2021
• Editorial Note: Kuno Gross
• Foreword: Lieut Col R.A. Bagnold
• Forte el Gtafia, shelled by the Artillery Section: Kuno Gross
• LRDG Desert Poems: Private J.M. Williamson, R Patrol
• Kufra, a historical Note: Capt. W.B. Kennedy Shaw
• Long Range Desert Group Preservation Society: Jack Valenti
• Chevrolet WA or WB? What type of trucks: Kuno Gross
• "Big Cairn", the loneliest Pile of Stones: Andras Zboray
• The LRDG in Greece, Jeep and Trailer: Erik Ahlström
• Who was Norman Moore? The editor of TRACKS: Ian Chard
• The Sand Tyres, "Shoes" of the Patrol Trucks: Charlie Down
• Brendan O'Carroll's Books: Bob Amos-Jones
• Now and Then, Halt at Gilf Kebir: Kuno Gross
• B122 Conduct Forms, Witnesses of the Past: Ian Chard
• "Sand Channels": Sam Watson
• The SRD Rum Jar from Siwa: Sam Watson

Magazine details:
• Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand; 1st edition (24 Mar. 2021)
• Language: English
• Paperback: 52 pages
• ISBN-10: 3752608382
• ISBN-13: 978-3752608380
• Dimensions: 19 x 0.3 x 27 cm

Ordering details:
Contact Kuno Gross via info@desertstories.org for details on how to order TRACKS 2021. It can be ordered in bookshops also. Price is EUR 18,-- including shipping.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Kuno wrote:

“ TRACKS 2021: As of today, all pre-ordered copies of "TRACKS 2021" are shipped and on their way. I do still have some 30 printed copies available. e-verisons is also available.”

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Issue 2 will be published shortly, Kuno Gross is taking pre-orders:

Ordering details: TRACKS 2022 can be found at www.bod.de (under: “buchshop”) or, if you prefer, at Amazon and other bookdealers. However, we are also receiving pre-orders. The cost of a pre-ordered copy is EUR 21.50 (including worldwide shipping). Pre-orders are collected from now and then shipped all at once, presumably at the end of March /beginning of April. So, pre-orders will take some time until they reach the readers but will be a substantial support for the authors to cover the cost. If you can, and if you are a bit patient – please go for the pre-orders. Please send me an e-mail to info(at)jebelsherif.org for payment details (pls. replace the (at) with "@" in the e-mail address).

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Issue no. 2 has the full first-hand story on the 3-ton F60L CMP truck found in the desert. And a detailed article on the iconic 30-cwt Chevrolet LRDG truck, plus many other interesting articles - well worth reading!

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TRACKS Revival 2022 (The Magazine commemorating the LRDG)
************************************************** *********************
TRACKS was a “one issue” magazine done by the LRDG and distributed in Kufra in June 1941. In 2021, eighty years after, it was “revived” by a group of authors, not out of a commercial interest but of pure enthusiasm for the subject: The LRDG.
The reception of TRACKS 2021 was very well, the reader’s feedback all very positive. This encouraged the authors to go for TRACKS 2022. Again, we have a “bunch” of LRDG-related articles, topics not too widely known, which should find the interest of the LRDG enthusiast.
TRACKS 2021 consisted of 52 pages – TRACKS 2022 has substantially “grown” to 64 pages containing 148 illustrations and photographs.

CONTENT 2022
• Howard’s Cairn --- Kuno Gross
• Now & Then: Siwa, Cleoptatra’s Pool --- Kuno Gross
• LRP - First Reconnaissance Mission --- Bob Amos-Jones
• Who was Norman Moore? (2) --- David Redhead
• Patrol Truck Chevrolet 1533X2 --- Charlie Down
• Badges and Insignia of the LRDG --- Brendan O’Carroll
• LRDG Memorials --- B. O’Carroll, K. Gross and M. Kennedy Shaw
• LRDG poem --- J. G. Medemmen
• Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo --- Sam Watson
• Raiding Forces Wings --- Sam Watson
• LRDG silver Goblet carved Bone Knife --- Sam Watson
• Fata Morgana or Reality? --- Tarek el Mahdy
• Recovery from the Desert --- Mohamed Nabil (Translated by Tarek el Mahdy)
• Attempting Identification --- Kuno Gross
• LRDG Heavy Section - Marmon Herrington --- Erik Ahlström
• Sgt. Fraser's Cigarette Case --- Jack Valenti
• B122 Conduct Sheets (Continued) --- Ian Chard
Magazine details:
• Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
• Language: English
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Illustrations & photos: 148
• ISBN: 978-3-755-71623-5
• Dimensions: 19 x 27 cm

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Issue 2 will be published shortly, Kuno Gross is taking pre-orders: "The cost of a pre-ordered copy is EUR 21.50 (including worldwide shipping)"

The website only permits European countries as a destination. How do we get Worldwide shipping?

[Little Jo]

Hi All

I tried to purchase the two "TRACKS" books however I could not open the site as Australia was not available no matter what I tried. Can anyone give me some advice as to how I can purchase these books, or does the bookseller not send to Australia.

Tony

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Tony & Tony,

Contact Kuno via info(at)jebelsherif.org, I’m sure he can fill in the details.