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WW2 military hardware in N African desert? WW2 military hardware in N African desert?
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 26 Oct 2015
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WW2 military hardware in N African desert?
Hi all

Been a while since I posed on the HUBB.

This isn't strictly about overlanding, but is the sort of question that I suspect overlanders may know something about. It's to settle an argument with a friend!

Does anyone know what happened to all the destroyed / abandoned tanks and other hardware left behind after all the battles of the North Africa campaign? I went to the military cemetery / museum at El Alamein years ago and saw a few there, but am sure I read somewhere (think the Lonely Planet / Rough Guide that I was travelling with) that everything else had been towed 20 or 30 kms south into the desert and dumped in a huge 'graveyard' after the war. Friend (who has a T34 tank and a 1942 White armoured car) reckons this is wrong and that the stuff was dispersed for scrap.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Mark
Last edited by ilesmark; 27 Oct 2015 at 11:52.
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Old 26 Oct 2015
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There was a presentation at the original Adventure Overland Show about four years ago by a chap who did a trip in an old military Jeep which recreated a patrol done by the Long Range Desert Group during WW2. His name was Toby? I think he speaks a lot on the 4x4 traveller circuit, I'm sure someone could add the name and there's a contact for information on the subject.
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Old 27 Oct 2015
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Thanks, Tourider.

A few mouse clicks and google searches later and I found Toby's website and email address. I've emailed him to see what he has to say.

Cheers

Mark
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Old 27 Oct 2015
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I have 'explored' quite a lot of the area south of Alamein & a cross part of the qattara depression, yes I have heard these stories too, but never discovered this dumping area, yes I have found many articles of clothing, helmets & personal effects ( plus loads od unexplored ordnance), and vehicle wheels & parts.
The locals that I know who have a great knowledge of this area have , as far as I know,not found much in the way of intact vehicles .
Yes, further south in the sand sea & gilf Kebir areas I have seen several relatively intact vehicles, as well as in Libya, but to answer your initial question, no 'big stuff' up to about 100 is south of Alamein.
Andy
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Old 28 Oct 2015
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This page sums up pretty much all that is still out there:
The SDF Kufra Convoys


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Old 28 Oct 2015
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Plenty of UXO when I was there - be careful of it; the locals know the areas to avoid. Some areas and some ordnance is marked or signposted.

Whole vehicles - not so much in evidence, but the North African deserts are pretty big......
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