Evening star., 1947-02-09
Cruzen Cites Value
OF Polar Expedition
For Defense Plans
(The tollo,pi,,o article pos urit-

1.-THE toIlolDi1,g article tDGs t1rit-
ten by the operattonM COM
mander of the Napy Antarctic
Erpeditton.)
By Rear Admiral Richard n. Cruzen
GAS told to Lee Van Alta, rep
resenting the combined American
press)
BY the Assoeiotsd Press
WITH BYRD EXPEDITION IN
ANTARCTICA, Feb. 8.-Four thous-
and Americans, Of whom a large
percentage will ID sassociAed with
the defense of this Nation for many
years to, come, have been going tc
a unique school.
1t is school of Polar experience
and classes are held under the most
difficult, the most demanding and
the most unpredictable conditions
in the world. d.
Their lessons have been learned
well; their effect on future Ameri-
can operations in either the North
or South Pole or both cannot be
over exaggerated Or under-empha-
sized.
Disregarding both scientific and
geographical aspects of what has
been achieved so far, we have an
impressive collection of vital facts
which had to be learned and which
have been amaSsed.
Problems Overcome.
First and foremost, we have
proven that water-borne supplies
in polar regions and under the
most stringent polar conditions are
not only possible but extremely
practicable. We have graphically
illustrated that steel ships, despite
their many shortcomings in ice con-
ditions, can operate as effective
forces In both polar zones.
The maintenance of far-hung
Arctic bases is at present an almost
unsurmountable problem unless
ships can support life-lines to those
bases.
believe we have proven the prob
lem can be solved. We will need
extensive notifications to our ships
and we may even have to design
vessels especially for operational use
in polar regions.
Secondly, we have illustrated anew
that intelligent American defense OF
either of the Poles is impossible un-
less this country is willing to sup
port not one but many expeditions
similar to this Anartic survey.
Maps Inaccurate.
We are still in the dark on the
great majority of weather problems
and on polar navigation. Our maps
of both Poles are inaccurate and
outdated.
Our concept of operations. which
we've altered on what has amounted
to an hourly basis here. are models
for the future.
There can be no one plan in the
utter unpredictability OF either
Arctic or Antarctic operations
Flexibility must keynote our entire
program.
On the positive side, however, this
force has proven polar regions sue
cumb to the insistence of the ma
chine and air age with the same in
exorable willingness of any other
climatical region. We have illus
trated by our penetration of the ice
pack with steel ships, by our record
breaking establishments OF an air
operations base on ice in less than
seven days, and by operational
achievements Of that base that mo-
bility in both Poles is both desirable
and easily capable Of achievement.
1t would be inaccurate to call this
expedition a complete productive
success. The weather-common en-
emy of all services-has been toe
bitterly effective.
Weather Difficulties Cited.
Yet it's incredible to recapitulate
what has been done in spite Of
perhaps even to spite-the weather
The mapping of coast lines, the
discovery of new territory, the train
ing and familiarization of all ranks
of seamen and airmen under Ant
arctic conditions-during these the
weather slowed but never stopped us.
I think two seasons In the Ant
arctic would increase at least four
fold our knowledge.
But I emphasize the point that
the applied science Of the mechani-
cal age can be felt and employed as
effectively in the poles as In any
place in the world. The amazing
machine developments Of the war