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News

21st December 2001
Based on the information received from John Smith, engineer at Imperial War Museum, Duxford (IWM Aviation Museum), it is now almost certain that the aircraft wreck we found IS Blenheim Z.7513. (details on the Z.7513 page)

11th December 2001
Recently returned from a superb trip to Libya.
A full account has been added with photos, including the ascent of Uweinat, the SAAF Blenheim forced landing site, and the site of the possible wreck of Blenheim Z.7513

20th August 2001
Preparations are starting for the March 2002 trip. Please note, that the dates have been brought a day earlier to enable a saturday arrival to Cairo with an early Sunday departure, and a late Sunday return alowing the catching of early monday flights home.There is one place still available !
(All participants should have received their application & information packs, if any of you haven't, please contact me !)

20th August 2001
Announcing a new format trip for November 2002. This trip will focus on exploring a smaller, well defined region at Uweinat (the area between Karkur Talh and Karkur Murr) on foot for possible undiscovered rock art sites, plus other areas in the vicinity which never have been properly explored. We will focus on the two main areas of interest, staying 4/5 days at each place, thoroughly exploring the valleys.

8th August 2001
I have been in correspondence with Stuart Disbrey, he revealed many interesting details on the history of the 'Rum Jar' we found in 1998.

1st August 2001
The November 2001 trip has been cancelled as there were not enough participants.

6th July 2001
The Public Records Office documents pages have been updated with a page on the loss of the three Blenheim Bombers of the South African Air Force near Kufra, and the possible implications on Almásy's Operation Salaam.

20th May 2001
SPECIAL
!
Fliegel Jezerniczky Expeditions, in cooperation with Arabica Orient Reisen of Switzerland, is planning a trip to the "other side" to Jebel Arkenu & Jebel Uweinat from the Libyan side. The trip is planned to be 18 days, starting 27th October. There are currently 2 free places available!

20th May 2001
It has been a long time since the last update, many things (among them organising two trips to the Gilf and Uweinat) kept me away from the website. Finally I had a couple of quiet days to upload all the things I have wanted to:

Most importantly, the dates have been set for the November 2001 and March 2002 trips. Both trips are planned for 15 days, and will start on the 26th of November 2001, and 18th of March 2002. To see details and itinerary visit their respective pages.

The March 2001 trip has been a really special one. We have discovered a number of previously unknown rock art sites at Jebel Uweinat and near Wadi Sora. Yves Larboulette obtained what is probably the first ever photo of a live waddan (barbary sheep) in Karkur Talh. On our return journey we have re-discovered Bagnold's remarkable stone circle, the largest known prehistoric stone ring known in the Libyan Desert. A full account of the trip has been added, with many photos.

I have done some research at the Public Records Office in London trying to discover documents related to Almasy. An interesting picture emerged, linked to a sad accident involving three Blenheim Bombers of the South African Air Force near Kufra, that may shed some new light on Almasy's 1942 sortie. See the Almasy Documents page.

The Expeditions Pages have been substantially changed in both structure and content. Also a number of pages have been added to the Libyan Desert section, adding details on the various places and sites visited during the expeditions, plus a full list of all historic expeditions with bibliographical references to complement the History of Exploration chapter.

The Links and Bibliography pages have also been updated with several new links and references.

27th August 2000
Added a page on the discovery of a Long Range Desert Group Rum Jar along the Western edge of the Gilf kebir during the 1998 expedition.

29th July 2000
All participants for March 2001, please reconfirm your participation intent (if you have not already done so) by 15th August.

29th July 2000
A special trip is being organised for November 21 - December 7. with similar itinerary as March 2001. Due to a cancellation, one place is available! The trip will depart from Luxor, and end in Cairo. Please email for more information.

28th July 2000
Added photo galleries of the rock art sites of Wadi Sora and Shaw's Cave, providing comprihensive detailed color photos of the whole sites.

15th July 2000
March 2001 expedition fully booked, no more applications accepted. Now accepting applications for November 2001 and March 2002 trips. Trip status will be changed from Tentative to Confirmed on receiving 5 applications per trip.

10th April 2000
All places for the March 2001 expedition have been taken. A limited number will be accepted for a waiting list pending final confirmation from all participants. In a few weeks when plans are finalised further trips will be posted for application for later 2001 and 2002.

10th April 2000
FJ Expeditions is back from Jebel Uweinat and the Gilf Kebir, having completed the most successful trip ever. We have succeeded in reaching all our goals, including the magnificent rock art sites in the upper reaches of Karkur Talh, over the border to Sudan. A preliminary account of the trip is already available, together with some previews of the Karkur Talh rock art sites, but a more detailed report and a page and photo gallery of the rock art sites will be up soon!

11th January 2000
Only two remaining places for the March 2001 expedition. At this stage an email indicating firm intent is all that's required from participants, however given strong interest in the trip definite commitment will be asked for by 15th July 2000.

2nd January 2000
A very happy & prosperous 2000 to all of You !

13th December 1999
Have received five applications and a number of enquiries for the March 2001 trip, thus the trip is confirmed. Exact dates are yet to be finalised, the 14 day trip is tentatively planned to start the week of 12th March 2001. Check the March 2001 expedition pages for list of participants.

5th December 1999
Have been down in Cairo last week to make arrangements for March 2000 trip. Cars arranged and plans finalised, only issue remaining is final bit of itinerary from Gilf Kebir to Siwa. It has been suggested to cross from the Silica Glass area east to Ain Dalla, and progress to Siwa from there, as the straight north course would strain the fuel capability and time constraints. After checking satelite maps (courtesy Werner Lenz), we will decide on final itinerary (possibly the decision on final course will be taken in the Silica Glass area, when knowing our exact remaining fuel reserves).
Participants for the March 2000 trip will be requested to send the USD 200 for arranging the permits by 15th December, will send bank transfer / address details individually.
Also all who have not yet done so, please purchase your aeroplane tickets, details in post three below.

24th October 1999
The layout of the website has been changed to match Internet Explorer 4.01 format in 800x600 resolution.
Please send feedback if anyone experiences difficulties with the new format.

14th October 1999
Based on feedback so far, I think we'll drop the Unimog option, everyone who knows it seems to consider it is too slow and underpowered. It will be three Toyota Landcruiser HJ 75-s.
I had a couple of questions on seating, so let me clarify:
We will use individual, forward facing seats in the rear, with an aisle in the middle for easy access to rear door. Initially the config will be Car #1 six seats in the rear, Car #2 two in rear (only accessable by tilting front seatbacks forward, as supplies will be behind the seats), Car #3 supplies & luggage only. As we use up water, we will install the last 2 seats from Car#1 to Car#2, to make life more comfortable (after about the first 4-5 days).

14th October 1999
Have received confirmation for the airfare for a roundtrip Cairo for the March trip, 250 USD plus applicable taxes from all points in Europe.(GBP 155, ESP 37500, CHF 365, DEM 450, ATS 3200). The tickets should be bought by end of November, for flights connecting via Budapest to MA220/17MAR, and from MA221/03APR. Tickets may be bought at Malev Hungarian Airlines offices only (no travel agents), quoting authorisation BUDTGMA 14OCT99, tour code SPECAI0.

25th September 1999
Just returned from Cairo, summer is still raging, it was 36 degrees ! The spring 2000 trip is set to go on 18th March !
Have checked out a couple of alternate options for the vehicles, we will use either three Toyota Landcruisers, or there is a possible alternative of using two landcruisers in full passenger config., and a Mercedes Unimog to carry supplies. There are a number of options for the seating configuration, the version which seems to be the best is the lead car having four seats in the rear, the other two/two each, plus each will have a vacant seat beside the driver in front. If we have the Unimog, we'll have four seats each in the rear in the two Landcruisers.
Anybody any experience with the Unimog ? Please make Your comments!

11th September 1999
Have now created a page with the names & contacts of fellow participants (with the consent of each), also linked from the March 2000 Expedition page. Please feel free to contact others with any comments / wishes / ideas on the trip, itinerary, etc. Will also put up any concrete proposals on this News page.

11th September 1999
Due to other commitments I had to postpone my Cairo trip to 20th September. Will post news when I'm back.

7th September 1999
Due lack of suitable number of confirmations, the November 1999 trip is cancelled !
The March 2000 trip HAS ONLY ONE PLACE AVAILABLE !

11th August 1999
I plan to place a list (with email address) of prospective and confirmed participants on the Planned Expeditions pages. When makinhg an enquiry, please note whether You consent to this. This will help all participants communicate with each other, and shape the dates / itinerary / menu, etc.

8th August 1999
I will travel to Cairo at the end of August to start making arrangements for March '00 trip. This will be the go/no go date for the november '99 trip. Please all of You contemplating the November trip make committment by no later than 25 August. I will have full details on expected costs, etc. when I return.

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