Expedition to recreate life for desert soldiers | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

 A group of amateur Christchurch historians planning to cross the Sahara for charity yesterday rolled out their first expeditionary vehicle – a 1942 Willys MB Jeep.

Their aim is to create a historical travel documentary to raise funds for the RSA Benevolent Fund.

The documentary will showcase the experiences and living conditions of soldiers serving in the Long Range Desert Group during the North African campaign in World War 2.

Those on the trip will wear uniforms, have ration lists, and have day-to-day duties while crossing the Saharan Dune Sea of Egypt and Libya.

The expedition is planned for March next year. An Anzac Day service with be held at El Alamein, Lybia.

The documentary will then be taken on a nationwide fundraising road show in New Zealand.

“It’s been an uphill battle with plenty of blood, sweat and tears,” said team leader Bernard Shapiro.

“We have a great responsibility to bring back with us an understanding of what our grandfathers endured in Africa and we mean to succeed. On Anzac Day, we will hold our service where the New Zealanders fought at El Alamein and we will be able to say ‘we now remember them’,” said Mr Shapiro.

K (for Kiwi) Troop of The LRDG Kiwi Expedition Charitable Trust have been approached by a British group to join them in the crossing of the desert, in recognition of New Zealand’s involvement with the group.

The Willys MB called Kahurangi is on display in front of Hoyts Regent on Sunday from 7pm before a screening of the LRDG Lost in Libya.