How the US Tried to Claim Antarctica

In 1946, with World War II having ended, the United States turned its focus to a new challenge - claiming Antarctica. With vast, unclaimed territory and potential resources, the continent had geopolitical appeal. Predicting the next war would be fought over ownership, the Americans launched a huge expedition to Antarctica, Operation Highjump, sending 13 ships, 33 planes and 5,000 men to stake their claim on the polar environment. Once there, they established a temporary base, conducted aerial surveys, photographed and mapped huge stretches of coastline, and tested ships, aircraft and survival techniques in extreme cold, laying the groundwork for future operations in one of the most hostile places on Earth.