7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71 1d859af6-c18f-411d-92c5-ade9015eae8a 72a20d1b-590a-4078-9e18-b42c00397b46 0d65fb0f-1759-4c34-82cc-b42c00397f9b en-US Desert Pirates Off the map and behind enemy lines. This is the story of the Long Range Desert Group. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/podcasts/ 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. 

]]> serial 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.  NZME podcasts@nzme.co.nz NZ Herald no https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/72a20d1b-590a-4078-9e18-b42c00397b46/image.jpg?t=1776938686&size=Large Desert Pirates https://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/podcasts/ Ghost Patrols Ghost Patrols 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.

]]> 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.

]]> full NZ Herald 7a34ae56-df46-4111-b9a9-b4340021f031 7a34ae56-df46-4111-b9a9-b4340021f031 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:45:00 +0000 2222 https://omny.fm/shows/desert-pirates/ghost-patrols Into the Blue Into the Blue 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.

]]> 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.

]]> full NZ Herald fccad62e-b45a-4053-9a53-b4340021f032 fccad62e-b45a-4053-9a53-b4340021f032 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:50:00 +0000 2391 https://omny.fm/shows/desert-pirates/into-the-blue Bearded Ruffians Bearded Ruffians 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.

]]> 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.

]]> full NZ Herald 1dc1592d-d988-40d5-8735-b4340021f030 1dc1592d-d988-40d5-8735-b4340021f030 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:45:00 +0000 2099 https://omny.fm/shows/desert-pirates/bearded-ruffians Introducing Desert Pirates Introducing Desert Pirates Off the map and behind enemy lines - the incredible story of the Long Range Desert Group, coming Thursday 23rd April, 2026.

Brought to you by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, and made with support from NZ On Air. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Off the map and behind enemy lines - the incredible story of the Long Range Desert Group, coming Thursday 23rd April, 2026.

Brought to you by NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, and made with support from NZ On Air. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> trailer NZ Herald 280a235a-dbe2-4a58-b8e8-b42d0028ce7c 280a235a-dbe2-4a58-b8e8-b42d0028ce7c Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:43:10 +0000 92 https://omny.fm/shows/desert-pirates/introducing-desert-pirates