U.S Navy’s Largest Operation In Antarctica “Operation Highjump”
There are some intriguing and mysterious in the history of the U.S. military. But one that particularly stands out is the ‘Operation Highjump.’ Officially, it is called “The United States Navy Antarctic Developments Program, 1946-47”. It represents the largest expedition to date in Antarctica, involving 14 ships, 33 aircraft, and some 4,700 personnel. This scale of operation in such a remote and harsh location generated considerable interest and questions about its purpose.
At the time the U.S. feared nuclear attacks from the Soviet Union. So, one of the intentions of this operation was to expose and prepare men and equipment for the harsh conditions of the polar regions. What really captured the public attention about Operation Highjump was not just the scale of it. It was the secrecy that surrounded its motives and outcomes. Reportedly, the U.S. Navy captured around 70,000 aerial photographs of the Antarctic Coast and its inland areas. Let’s dive in for the details.
What Was Operation Highjump?
Operation Highjump contributed toward scientific advancement and geopolitical positioning. Shortly after the start of World War II, when global tension and the brewing Cold War were in the atmosphere, the U.S. Navy had already set up a launch pad for a research presence in Antarctica. The stated official objectives for this expedition included training personnel, testing equipment in polar conditions, and extension of U.S. sovereignty while consolidating/extending American knowledge of hydrographic and geographic environments in the area.
Despite this, the aims above were more of a strategic military purpose for the operation. The officials were testing the Navy’s capability to set up a research station and conduct operations from polar regions. The operation seemed to be vital in any future Cold War confrontation. At the core of the task force was a range of personnel, ships, and aircraft. They were designed to demonstrate a show of force and logistic capability aimed possibly at putting off Soviet interest in the polar regions.
During the summer of 1946 orders addressed to commanders in chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets established the Antarctic Developments Project. It was code named Operation HIGH JUMP. High Jump was carried out during the 1946-1947 Antarctic summer. Instructions were for twelve ships and several thousand men to make their way to the Antarctic rim to:
1946: Operation HIGH JUMP | Coast Guard Aviation Association (CGAA)
- Train personnel and test material in the frigid zones;
- Consolidate and extend American sovereignty over the largest practical area of the Antarctic continent;
- Determine the feasibility of establishing and maintaining bases in the Antarctic and to investigate possible base sites;
- (Develop techniques for establishing and maintaining air bases on the ice, with particular attention to the later applicability of such techniques to operations in interior Greenland, where, it was claimed, physical and climatic conditions resembled those in Antarctica;
- Amplify existing knowledge of hydrographic, geographic, meteorological, geological, and electromagnetic conditions in the area.
Exploring the Unknown Scientific Discoveries and Challenges
Immense were the scientific contributions of Operation Highjump. Millions of square kilometers of the territory in Antarctica were mapped for the first time with the aid of aerial photography. Such efforts revealed valuable geographical data and also exposed new mountain ranges, plateaus, and coastal areas previously unknown to man.
Moreover, it is saddled with extreme cold, crevasse-laced ice fields, and unpredictable weather. This easily stressed both human and technological capabilities. The various problems encountered in Operation Highjump showed the difficult nature of polar explorations and gave a backdrop for future scientific and military operations.
The following account of operations was written by Captain Charles W. Thomas, Commanding Officer of the USCGC Northwind;
“Facing the worst pack in Antarctic history, the central Group began its penetration of the ice at approximately the intersection of the Arctic Circle and the 180th meridian on a generally southerly course. Since the Northwind was in the van, Rear Admiral R.H. Crusen, the Task Force Commander, shifted his flag to the icebreaker.
In a well organized ice convoy, the commander needs to know what his ships will encounter within the next day. The skipper of the icebreaker is interested in the picture within the next hour or two and the officer of the deck, within the range of his own range of visibility. Of these, the intermediate situation is the most important, because conditions may change with amazing rapidity. Moreover in Operation HIGH JUMP, the Admiral had no means of making a long range reconnaissance. Hence helicopter reconnaissance within a radius of twenty five miles was essential.
The Central Group began working its way through the pack on 31 December 1946. It reached its destination – the Bay of Whales – on 17 January, 1947. Battering a track through 650 miles of ice in eighteen days would not have been possible without helicopter reconnaissance. I have no doubt that the Central Group would have reached its destination. After all, late February is optimal as far as sea ice is concerned. But for shore based operations, the weather has begun to deteriorate before this time.
Had the Task Group penetrated the pack without “eyes” it would have arrived too late in the season to establish a base; then conduct an aerophotographic exploration of a hidden continent. In other words, the Central Group would have been obliged to turn about and get out of the pack before being able to erect Little America No. 4.
A word about the Sennet: About mid-way through the pack, it became obvious to everyone shewould never make it. She had to be towed out of the pack- and by the Northwind. Here again the icebreaker’s helicopter proved its indispensability. The submarine had to be towed to safety in the shortest possible time. Otherwise, the other ships of the group were in immediate danger of being crushed. Indeed, the two cargo ships, helpless in absence of the Northwind, were badly holed and would likely have been sunk, but for the timely return of the icebreaker.
This proven success of our helicopter impelled me to send the following message to the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard: HELICOPTER BEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT EVER CARRIED IN ICE VESSELS. I might add parenthetically that one of the motivating factors was Headquarters resistance to my efforts to obtain one for the Eastwind more than a year earlier.”
Captain Charles W. Thomas, Commanding Officer of the USCGC Northwind
Conspiracy Theories and Speculations
Despite these obvious scientific and strategic gains, Operation Highjump riddles with conspiracy theories. This was added to by the sudden and early conclusion of the expedition which was reportedly planned for several months, which was dramatically cut short. These include underground Nazi bases, lost civilizations, and even encountering alien life forms under the ice.
Most of these claims are critically analyzed. They have no concrete evidence to reach such dramatic conclusions. It is, however, the secrecy, together with the scale of the operation and the Cold War context, that forms a fertile ground for these theories.
Operation Highjump’s Legacy and Impact
To that extent, Operation Highjump marked deep imprints on international policies related to Antarctica and science. Clearly, the results of the survey contributed to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. It reserved this great continent for scientific research only and barred military activities from its grounds.
Culturally, this operation generated a spate of books, documentaries, and research projects. All of these showcased humanity’s urge to venture forth and learn about the most remote corners of our planet. The enduring interest in Operation Highjump attests it to be one that mapped not only a physical landscape but also new psychic terrain for humanity’s imagination and spirit.
Conclusion
Operation Highjump became the most ambitious and mysterious operation in the history of the United States Navy. It became a marvelous example of human curiosity and search for truth until the last breath. This legacy contains many different strands with a variety of scientific, military, and geopolitical themes. This helps to enable modern-day discussions related to international policy and environmental studies.
The contributions that this operation made to the knowledge of Antarctica are immeasurable. This lays the ground for further scientific research and international documents. All of these contribute to recognizing peace and cooperation instead of lands and military race. Real results that came out of Operation Highjump do exist. However, there is an air of mystery surrounding it. It captured the interest of many historians and researchers to this very day and, naturally, conspiracy theorists.
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