Made by an unknown member of the expedition — probably a crewman aboard the icebreaker USCGC Northwind — this silent, color film is about the U.S. Navy expedition to Antarctica led by RADM George F. Dufek called Operation Deep Freeze II. It took place in 1956-57 and was intended to build a permanent station at the South Pole along with establishment of three other IGY stations — Byrd Station in Marie Byrd Land, Wilkes station in Vincennes Bay and Ellsworth station on the Filchner Ice Shelf. The secondary goal was to gain knowledge of the hydrography and weather systems of Antarctica, glacial movements and marine life.

Opening: Operation Deep Freeze II (:06). A ship most likely USCGC Northwind, a Wind class icebreaker, sways on the high seas (:18). Huge waves hit the ship and splash on the deck (1:59). The icebreaker sails onward (2:54). Ship slowly lurches forward (4:03). A map shows Antarctica (4:50). Map shows size of Antarctica and the USA (5:22). Icebergs and glaciers visible (6:32). Map shows Ross Island in the South Pole off McMurdo Sound (7:18). USS Glacier (AGB-4) is anchored as men stand nearby; numerous other ships are also anchored (7:56). Small plane taxis (8:49). Sikorsky H-34 aka HUS-1 Seahorse helicopter takes off (10:00). Outpost in the snow; inside the building (10:27). Penguins stand around outside (11:13). A man walks amongst the penguins (11:37). Penguins walk around; flap their arms (11:58). Seal goes into the water through an ice hole (13:37). Still photos of a man with skis; a flagship in the ice (14:01). USS Glacier (14:31). Map reads British Expedition (14:36). Pen follows a route on a map and circles (15:07). Still photos of men skiing; Men standing on the snow in big jackets; an ice formation with a cross on top of it; statue of a man with a rifle (15:30). Outpost in the snow, men exit and walk in the snow (16:25). Crosses in the snow (16:49) mark the location of the Discovery Hut and the cross for George Vince. A church in the snow (17:49). Buildings below a hillside (17:53). The American base (18:42) at McMurdo. Small buildings, a wall of snow behind them (19:34). Huge wall of snow (19:56). The wall of snow is detonated (20:06). Helicopter comes in for a landing; circles around and comes back to land again (20:09). A map of Antarctica is pointed at (21:07). USS Arneb (21:23). Men watch a group of penguins race across the ice (22:07). Penguins go from once ice chunk to another (22:35). Men observe the penguins (23:56). A ship on the icy water with a strong sun reflection on the water (24:21). At (24:53) a New Year’s Eve crisis is shown as USS Arneb is trapped by ice (24:53). USCGC Northwind races to free her but has a damaged propeller slowing her progress (26:25). At (26:41) an LCI approaches the arctic “beach” as a first ever amphibious assault takes place in the Antarctic. Penguins slide down the snow into the icy water and swim (27:31). Equipment is moved (29:52). Men and bulldozers at work (31:30). Divers in cold water scuba gear work to repair damage to Arneb (32:00). Shots from back in the USA — cars drive by a building; a man and a boy walk in front (32:47). Scenes in a harbor, possibly Sydney, where USCGC Northwind is in a mobile drydock for repairs. (35:53). Men service the helicopter (37:31). Northwind is completely refurbished (38:54). Northwind returns to the Antarctic (40:59). A huge wall of ice and snow all around (41:59). Sun sets in the sky behind clouds (42:49). Northwind at sea (43:59). Horizon shot (45:36). Ship anchored (46:19). Northwind moves onward (46:30). Clouds in the sky; a sunset (48:03). End credit (48:19).

Deep Freeze II fleet: icebreakers USS ATKA (AGB-3); USS GLACIER (AGB-4); USS STATEN ISLAND (AGB-5); USCGC NORTHWIND (WAGB-282), cargo ships USS ARNEB (AKA-56); USS WYANDOT (AKA-92) ; USNS GREENVILLE VICTORY (TAK-239) ; USNS PVT. JOHN R. TOWLE; USNS PvT. J. F. MERRELL, seaplane tender USS CURTISS (AV-7), destroyer escort USS BROUGH (DE-148), and oiler USS NESPELEN (AOG-55).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com