U.S. Navy Will Aid Fuchs If Needed

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28479, 8 January 1958, Page 8

U.S. Navy Will Aid Fuchs If Needed

The commanding officer of the United States Antarctic Expedition (Rear-Admiral George J. Dufek) may be at the South Pole to great Dr. Vivian Fuchs’s trans-Antarctic party later this month. The United ' States Navy may also act as a rescue team for Dr. Fuchs’s party if it encounters any serious difficulties before or after it reaches the South Pole. Admiral Dufek, who leaves for Cape Hallett and McMurdo Sound in the United States Navy supply ship Arneb from Lyttelton today, said last evening that a Navy Neptune would be used to fly Dr. Fuchs’s party out from the Pole if it was required, and if operational conditions presented no danger for the American crew. Although a spokesman for the United States Navy said yesterday that Admiral Dufek would go to the Pole to greet Dr. Fuchs if operational donditions were good, the Admiral at first was noncommittal on this issue. Later he said:

“I would not like to say yes or no to the question, would I go to the Pole if conditions permitted it: But I am always keen to go to the Pole. It depends on the conditions when I arrive. “One of the fine features about I.G.Y. is the international cooperation. Hillary asked us to fly him out once he reached the Pole and we were happy to do this. If Dr. Fuchs reached the Pole and he decided to call it a day until next season we would be prepared to fly him and his party out. No Request from London "We are prepared to help to the limit of our capabilities.” he said. "If Dr. Fuchs does get into trouble anywhere along the route he is taking we will fly him out. If he reaches the Pole and continues his march, we would be prepared to watch his progress carefully,” said Admiral Dufek. There had been no request from London for assistance, said Admiral Dufek. Admiral Dufek should arrive at McMurdo Sound before Dr. Fuchs is due to reach the Pole.

He has also undertaken to fly two British newspaper correspon-

dents to McMurdo Sound in a Neptune. This aircraft is at present at Wigram and is expected to leave for McMurdo Sound on Thursday. This aircraft, described by Admiral Dufek as “desperately needed for air support work for traversing parties,” is capable of landing at the Pole. Any journey to the South Pole by this aircraft would be left in the hands of Commander V. J. Colley, squadron commander at McMurdo Sound, said Admiral Dufek.

All facilities for newspaper correspondents would be provided if they did not endanger the lives of the crew, he added, and he agreed that the British correspondents leaving Christchurch by this aircraft would like to be at the Pole to greet their countryman.

Two New Zealand newspaper correspondents, Mr D. Wederell, from “The Press,” Christchurch, and Mr G. Lee Martin, from the “New Zealand Herald,” Auckland, were at McMurdo Sound, said Admiral Dufek, and they probably would like to reach the Pole to greet Dr. Fuchs. “But we have supplied the planes, we have done a lot of the work, and American correspondents would be given priority if flights are to be made. The .others will have to draw straws if there is any squeeze.” The primary reason for Admiral Dufek’s journey in the Arneb will be to inspect navy work at Cape Hallett and McMurdo Sound.

The work being done there by the Navy should be finished within a few weeks, he said.