Desert Pirates cover art

Desert Pirates

Desert Pirates

Written by: NZ Herald
Listen for free

About this listen

The New Zealand Herald presents Desert Pirates. This is the story of Kiwi soldiers who made history in North Africa during World War II as part of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), the forerunners to the NZSAS. Operating behind enemy lines, they navigated vast deserts by sun and stars, carrying out daring raids and reconnaissance missions under extreme conditions.

But beyond the legend lies the reality. This series explores the brutal, often untold human cost of desert warfare, and the life or death decisions these men faced as individuals and as a unit.

The series draws on extraordinary recordings made during wartime by the NZ Broadcast Unit on site in North Africa, combined with compelling narration by John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy and featuring interviews with historians and those close to the men of the LRDG.

Desert Pirates is a NZ Herald collaboration with Bird of Paradise Productions, made with support from NZ on Air.

World
Episodes
  • Bearded Ruffians

    Bearded Ruffians
    Apr 22 2026

    Cairo, July 1940: British desert explorer Ralph Bagnold sets up a unit to raid and gather intelligence behind enemy lines. Ninety New Zealand soldiers from farming and mechanical backgrounds are selected to serve under four British officers.

    SHORT FILM
    Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates

    Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production.

    Made with support from NZ On Air

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Into the Blue

    Into the Blue
    Apr 22 2026

    A successful operation deep in Italian territory brings the LRDG and Free French forces in Chad together. Getting home is tricky though – a man from Taihape makes an extraordinary barefoot journey over hundreds of miles in the desert.

    SHORT FILM
    Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates

    Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production.

    Made with support from NZ On Air

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Ghost Patrols

    Ghost Patrols
    Apr 23 2026

    German commander Erwin Rommel seems to have the upper hand, pushing the Allies back into Egypt. But the LRDG – often working hand in hand with the SAS – help strike a series of crucial blows.

    SHORT FILM
    Watch the short film featuring footage shot by members of the LRDG here: www.nzherald.co.nz/desertpirates

    Desert Pirates is a Bird of Paradise and NZ Herald production.

    Made with support from NZ On Air

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
No reviews yet