The challenge was to cross the Sahara from north to south between Touggourt (Algeria) and Timbuktu (Mali), and to open a route for cars.
Citroën sport type tracked vehicle with which André Citroën and his wife crossed the Sahara to meet the expedition.
The expedition was led by Louis Audouin-Dubreuil, a former aviator familiar with North Africa, and Georges-Marie Haardt, general manager of the Citroën factories. It comprised five Citroën caterpillar-track vehicles each carrying two men, including one of General Estienne's sons. Twenty days and 3200 km later, their arrival in Timbuktu had a global impact and opened the way for further raids such as the one organised in 1924, where Citroën tracked vehicles competed with Renault 6-wheelers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION…
Book : Ariane Audouin-Dubreuil, la première traversée du Sahara en autochenille (The first Sahara crossing on caterpillar tracks), Glénat, 2008
Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSO1BIAR5vw
Source BNF