David
At the time this expedition was underway in the early 1920's the French were fighting a decades old war with the Bedouin (and other tribes). Beau Geste was more than a little based on fact.
During the first world war most people are unaware that the French had thousands of troops, often in small and large skirmish action, against the tribes taking advantage of their distraction elsewhere.
Quite apart from the colonial history and "freedom" movements they traveled through areas with centuries old traditions of caravan robbing, murderous local warlords and fanatic sects - exactly like it is today.
If we did the trip even with an M-60 on the vehicle I doubt there would be much success against a hundred blokes with AK-47's and RPG's all fueled with fanatic religious and political motivation.
Lang
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