They had to come right down from Tessalit because, I think, Alg would not let them in: Gao, Niamey, Kano, Djamena, El Fasher then up again. See p.166 and 169 of Sahara Handbook (not Overland...)
They were the first to drive across the Majabet el Koubra (the empty bit between Atar and Tessalit) though.
Now I look at it (168), the Belgians made a pretty deserty job of it in the mid-sixties with Unimogs, even if they did follow pistes all the way.
Ch
[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 21 September 2003).]
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