ANTARCTIC AREAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23400, 17 July 1939, Page 11

ANTARCTIC AREAS

BYRD'S EXPEDITION INVASION BY FOREIGNERS RACE TO CHECKMATE NEW YORK, July 14 The noted American explorer Admiral Byrd to-day referred to his pending Antarctic expedition as "a race to prevent the invasion of the Antarctic by foreign Powers." He declined to elaborate, but it is understood that he was referring chiefly to the report that Germany is sending an aircraft-carrier this summer to map the region between Little America and Palmerland. The explorer revealed that his bases would be Little America and Palmerland, with a small base half-way beI tween. Twenty-two men with an aeroplane would be installed at each base. The expedition would leave Boston before October 1, returning in May, 1941. It would comprise three ships, 160 men, 200 dogs, three aeroplanes, two Army tanks, and a snow cruiser. The personnel would number 24, with six men, mainly experts, from the military services and various Government departments. The New York Times points out that if Admiral Byrd claims all the land east of the 180 th meridian, as is planned, he will encloso two-fifths of the Boss Sea dependency claimed by Britain. As nothing valuable has yet been discovered in that area, Britain is not likely to raise serious objections. The Explorers' Club has awarded its medal to Sir Hubert Wilkins, of Australia, for his work in exploration. This is the 15th time the honour has been accorded to anyone, and only six recipients are living. The list includes Byrd, Stcffanson, Peary, Grecly and Sterling.