SIX-WHEELER TRIUMPH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 25 (Supplement)

SIX-WHEELER TRIUMPH

ACROSS THE KALAHARI A WATERLESS STRETCH. °One may be excused a feeling of justifiable pride in, and a desire to herald the feat of, two ordinary standard British production vehicles which have crossed the Kalahari Desert, where vehicles of other than British manufacture had tried and failed,” states an English writer in giving an account of this trip in Africa successfully accomplished by six-wheeler vehicles. “The epic story of this success indicates a notable achievement, and those who took part in it have not only established a record as being the first white men to cross this vast unchartcred region, but they have added a leaf to the laurels of British exploration and of British motor manufacture. In addition, they have certainly placed the last nail in the coffin of the fallacy that British vehicles are unsuited for overseas requirements, and it is to bo hoped that the bogy will be permitted to remain interred.

“The Kalahari Desert is a vast sandy plain in the centre of the African continent, stretching for some 600 miles between the Zambesi and Orange Rivers. Its waterless tracts have hitherto proved an obstacle to the development of largo areas of fertile country lying beyond them, and although numerous attempts have been made with oxen, camel, and car to find a way across, it has been left to the motor-car to succeed where other forms of transport had failed, and to a British car to succeed where its rival had not been successful.

“The object of the expedition was to explore the possibility of opening up a trade route across the desert so as to bring the habitable land situated on its north-west edge into closer touch with the railways and business centres of Bechuanaland. The result has proved that wdth proper mechanical transport this is possible, and the development of a large tract of rich and fertile country will be the outcome. “The expedition left Mafeking on June 16 and proceeded to Mahalapye, striking thence westward across the desert to Ghanzi, a distance of 400 miles, after which it headed for Livingstone via Maun, a further journey of 600 miles. The two vehicles had to carry supplies and water sufficient for their own use and for the use of the party. It w r as known that the going would be bad, and it was estimated that no vehicle could hope to complete the journey under one month. Yet the actual crossing of the desert was accomplished in twelve days, the area traversed consisting of wide stretches of desolate sandy wastes alternated by thorny scrub. Not a drop of water was found on the entire journey. A wash was a luxury not to be risked, and the drinking supply had to be conserved until it was certain that the danger area was passed. “The vehicles were thoroughly tested |at tho start, and acquitted themselves so well that beyond the daily series of punctures and the tearing of the fan belt by the bush no mechanical trouble was encountered.

“During one period of the journey bushmen followed the tracks of the cars for miles under the impression that they were on the track of some uncommon animal.

“At times the country ahead looked almost too bad for any vehicles to get through, but with dogged persistence men and machines alike carried on and won through.”