In early 1942, the British Middle East Command in Cairo faced an uncomfortable problem. Intelligence indicated that a Hungarian-born desert explorer-adventurer, Count László Almásy, was capable of finding routes across the Libyan Desert that conventional patrols did not cover. He did not move in convoys, did not use known wells, and did not leave easily traceable tracks. He was exactly the kind of man who could not simply be caught by “sending more patrols.” The problem was that no suitable unit was available. Most formations either operated under overly rigid rules or lacked sufficient experience in deep desert movement. The men of the Long Range Desert Group would have been suitable, but they were already overstretched and could not be easily reassigned to an uncertain objective. For this reason, British High Command chose a less formal solution.
De Kock’s name surfaced through a South African intelligence channel. He was not high-ranking, but he was known: he could work with limited information and did not require clearly defined orders to function. More importantly, his experience in Africa meant he did not rely strictly on maps—he could manage without them if necessary. The rest of the team did not come from a single source; they were assembled piece by piece. Finn Comet was identified through an old report. They needed a pilot capable of taking off from improvised terrain who would not panic if his aircraft was not designed for combat. The de Havilland Tiger Moth was not ideal, but it was available—and Comet knew how to use it. McIntosh and Ratte came from the Long Range Desert Group, specifically from a Southern Rhodesian patrol, via an unofficial transfer. Ratte was selected for his reliability and discipline. McIntosh had not originally been intended for the assignment, but after a previous operation the two were already working together, and no one wanted to separate them—even if it introduced risk. Hughes was a simpler case: a radio operator was needed, and he was available. He came from a sub-unit of the 11th Hussars, which was undergoing reorganization at the time. He was not the best option—just the fastest.
The vehicle, a Rolls-Royce armoured car, came into their possession unofficially. After a mismanaged logistical decision, it was assigned to them “temporarily,” and no one asked for it back.
Their task was not complicated—at least on paper: locate Almásy’s route and prevent him from moving German agents across the desert toward Cairo. They were given no precise coordinates, nor reliable timing—only assumptions. In reality, they were not chosen because they were the best, but because they were the kind of men who could be sent on a mission with an uncertain outcome—men whose loss would not significantly disrupt the order of battle.
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| L-R: Ratte, McIntosh, De Kock, Hughes, Comet |
Capt. Willem de Kock
South African-born, he worked in policing and intelligence under the British colonial administration before the war. He was not particularly high-ranking; rather, he was the kind of man sent into sensitive situations—border smuggling, local informant networks, politically delicate matters. He knows Africa well, but not in any romantic sense—he knows where there is no water, which tribes refuse to deal with each other, and when it is time to turn back. In the desert, he does not act as a traditional leader, more as a coordinator: he lets each man do his job and only intervenes when necessary. He has no particular enthusiasm for the British, but works with them. To him, the war is a necessary evil, not a cause.
Lt. Finn Comet
An American who began as a civilian pilot and drifted into various conflicts before the war. He flew in Latin America, Mexico, China, and later Europe, mostly for money or temporary contracts. His aircraft, the de Havilland Tiger Moth, is not a combat aircraft, but in the desert it proved useful: reconnaissance, message delivery, and rapid movement. Comet understands how vulnerable his aircraft is, and does not take unnecessary risks. He is still alive because he knows when it is not worth taking off.
Will Ratte
Served as a member of the Long Range Desert Group. A capable marksman—disciplined and patient. He knows how to wait and does not waste ammunition. He speaks little, but is not withdrawn. More the kind of man who observes and only speaks when there is something worth saying. He avoids unnecessary risks and does not believe in dramatic actions.
Jack McIntosh
From the same LRDG patrol as Ratte, but very different in temperament. In combat, he tends to lose control—not completely, but enough that the others account for it. He is not insane, nor more cruel than average. He simply reacts too quickly and has difficulty stopping once he has started. In desert warfare, this can be an advantage—or a serious liability. The team does not fully trust him, but they know that in certain situations, he is the most suitable man to carry out the task.
Pvt. Hughes
Came to the team from the 11th Hussars, but has very little combat experience. His training is fundamentally sound, but in real situations he remains uncertain. He handles the radio well, but under stress he sometimes makes mistakes—mis-tuning a frequency, transmitting too long, or speaking at the wrong moment. He tries to meet expectations and still takes regulations seriously, which is not always an advantage in this group. The others do not mistreat him, but due to his inexperience, they do not fully treat him as an equal.
Equipment
In addition to the Tiger Moth, the team operates an old Rolls-Royce Armoured Car, originally used by the 11th Hussars. It is not new, but generally reliable. Desert use takes its toll: sand gets into the engine, tyres wear quickly, and spare parts often have to be improvised. Even so, it is valuable in the desert—faster and better protected than most vehicles they are likely to encounter.
League perk:
Companions (1)
On the run (FREE!)
Associate:
Col. Westwind, 8th Army
-Supplies
-Trickery & Tactics
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Capt. Willem De Kock
LVL4
Health: d10
Brawl: 3d10
Shoot: 2d8
Dodge: 2d8
Might: 3d10
Finesse: 3d10
Cunning: 3d10
Moxie
Danger Sense
Inspiring
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Lt. Finn Comet
LVL2
Health: d6
Brawl: 1d6
Shoot: 1d6
Dodge: 1d6
Might: 1d6
Finesse: 2d6
Cunning: 2d6
Insight
Daredevil
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Will Ratte
LVL2
Health: d6
Brawl: 1d6
Shoot: 2d6
Dodge: 1d6
Might: 2d6
Finesse: 3d6
Cunning: 1d6
Eagle Eyed
Faint of Heart
Mighty
Savvy
---
Jack McIntosh
LVL2
Health: d6
Brawl: 2d6
Shoot: 3d6
Dodge: 1d6
Might: 1d6
Finesse: 1d6
Cunning: 1d6
Long Burst
Marksman
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Pvt. Hughes
LVL2
Health: d6
Brawl: -d-
Shoot: 1d6
Dodge: 2d6
Might: 2d6
Finesse: 2d6
Cunning: 2d6
Brainy
Crafty
---
Equipment:
Rolls Royce Armored car
(4 Gear)
Enclosed
Turret
Light Gun
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Tiger Moth
(3 Gear)
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