Missions Berliet-Ténéré
| Industry | Automotive, Truck manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
| Products | Trucks, vehicles for desert environments |
The Mission Berliet Ténéré along with the later Mission Berliet Tchad represented two major trans-Sahara journeys organized by the French truck manufacturer Berliet. These ventures demonstrated the robustness and reliability of Berliet trucks in navigating extensive desert landscapes, while simultaneously facilitating geographic and scientific exploration.
Expeditions
The inaugural expedition set off from Ouargla in November 1959, heading southward across the Sahara toward Djanet. The route included stops at Adrar Bous and a resupply point in Agadez. It then proceeded to visit landmarks such as the Arbre du Ténéré and the Termit Massif, before reaching Lake Chad and Fort Lamy (present-day N'Djamena). On the return leg, the team took a demanding path north from Lake Chad through Agadem, stopping at the oasis of Bilma, exploring the ruins of Djado, and examining ancient rock art in the secluded valley of Enneri Blaka. The expedition concluded back at Djanet and Ouargla by January 1960. Notably, crossing the Erg of Bilma north of Agadem proved particularly arduous. The entire journey spanned approximately 10,000 km over 50 days.
A subsequent expedition departed Ouargla in October 1960, opting for a more easterly course via Séguedine, skirting south of the Djado Plateau, and advancing toward Zouar in the Tibesti region as well as Faya Largeau. This path circumvented the challenging dunes of the eastern Bilma Erg, making it more accessible for standard rear-wheel-drive trucks. The group arrived at Fort Lamy in November 1960, then returned to Djanet by December, passing through Adrar Bous near the Aïr Mountains. During the return journey from near Zouar across northern Ténéré to Adrar Bous and Mount Tiska near Djanet, 22 Berliet-branded 'balises' (marker posts) were installed; their positions are still indicated on modern editions of the Michelin 741 map covering Northwest Africa, with some markers remaining visible today.
Both expeditions included not only drivers and mechanics but also scientists who conducted research into local biology, geology, archaeology, and ethnography. The first mission was accompanied by a substantial press team. Investigations uncovered signs of ancient human habitation dating back to approximately 3200 BCE in areas now characterized by desert conditions, including discoveries of stone tools and pottery fragments.
Vehicles
The primary vehicle lineup for the Ténéré expedition comprised nine Berliet GBC8 six-wheel-drive trucks, known as "Gazelle". Engineered specifically for harsh desert environments like Algeria's oilfields, these trucks underwent initial testing near Paris in 1957. They were powered by 7.9-litre engines delivering 125 horsepower. Complementing this fleet were four Series II Land Rover vehicles and a Bell helicopter that assisted with navigation and provided rare aerial footage of the Sahara. In 2015, Fondation Berliet issued a full-colour documentary DVD lasting 52 minutes that chronicles this mission.
For the second expedition, the fleet was augmented by four Berliet GLM 10 M HC trucks—rear-wheel-drive cargo vehicles each capable of transporting up to 11 tons.
See also
External links
- Berliet GBC 8 trucks, "Gazelle"
- Newsreel footage of the first expedition
- Photo archive of the second expedition