Nazi Antarctic Exploration

Reviewed by Steve Wroe British Science Association ex British Antarctic Survey Nazi Antarctic Exploration Hitler’s Escape to South America & Secret Nazi Bases in Antarctica By Ladislas Szabo Published By Nicholas Reardon Let me start by saying that I’m not a believer of conspiracy theories. There, that’s got that off my chest. When I reviewed this book I was aware of a certain ‘notoriety’ that surrounded it. I knew that it had experienced some problems on social media, particularly with the US. This was, primarily with the title, but apart from that I had no preconceived ideas. The book is well presented and well structured which makes it very ‘readable’ with informative photographs inserted at appropriate places throughout. This improves the book as it gives the photographs ‘relevance’ and helps to explain the narrative at a time of great uncertainty throughout the world. The end of WW2! The first part of this book focuses on the uncertainty and the shambles that the world was in at the final moments of World War two. The fact that nobody knew the true number of U boats that were still at sea or had taken sanctuary in friendly ports or waters is evidence of this.This uncertainty was compounded when two U boats arrived unexpectedly in the Argentinian port of Mar del Plata. The circumstances surrounding these boats were unusual for a number of reasons. The U boats were carrying far larger crews than they were designed for. In addition, there was confusion with regards the true identity of one of the U boats. All of this at a time when it was uncertain as to whether Hitler was dead or alive and theories were rife. Was Hitler alive and fleeing to Argentina or simply biding his time in Antarctica? The second part of this book is a general précis of Antarctic exploration during this wartime setting and explains the presence of warring nations who found themselves in Antarctica. Thereby setting the scene for the possibility of Nazi (dare I use that phrase?) activities in Antarctica during WW2. I would refer the reader to page 78. The author describes the activities of German Corsair raiding ships operating in Antarctic waters of which we are already aware. It is this activity which led to the top secret British wartime operation. Operation Tabarin, of which many books have been written. The book is a collection of interesting factual detail but my difficulty as a reviewer, is that some of the conclusions which the author offers, are an opinion based upon an interpretation of some of those facts. To quote C. P. Snow the founding editor of the Guardian Newspaper ‘Opinions are free, but facts are sacred’ The book is interesting for its historical factual content but as to whether some of the conclusions offered by the author bear scrutiny, I leave that for you, the reader to decide. To summarise, the book tells an interesting tale and is of historical value at a period of time where the world was mired in doubt and uncertainty and the fate of Hitler was unknown. The book presents you with facts and is enhanced by photographs with other contemporary supporting documentation and I would invite you to draw your own conclusions based upon these facts. Finally, whilst as a reviewer, I feel it is beyond my remit to get embroiled in the dispute about the title of this book, my understanding is that at that time, Germany was ruled by the Nazi Party.