The ANTARCTIC JOURNAL of a Sailor on "Operation Windmill" 1947-48

The book Antarctic Journal a Seaman's Record from 1947 contains the day-to-day observations of a young sailor assigned in 1947 to his first cruise, which was an historic expedition to map and study over twenty locations along the coast of Antarctica. "Project Windmill" was the first all-icebreaker task force after World War II, and was a follow-up to the Admiral Byrd led "Operation Highjump" in 1946. As an Electronic Technician Mr. Koenig was in the center of the communications activity, and had access to information not always available to most of the crew.



The narrative begins with an unpleasant start over rough seas and travel to the South Pacific island of American Samoa. Upon crossing the equator the description of the Pollywog to Shellback initiation is one of the best yet, as stated by the librarian at the Navy Library.



Two months below the Antarctic Circle includes suspense from a missing helicopter to adventures at the early American camps at McMurdo Sound, Little America and Byrd's East Base. A rough crossing past Cape Horn and a visit to Lima, Peru added interest to the adventure.



The story is told just as recorded, and supported with many illustrations from his personal camera's 2 x 2 inch pictures and several quality images from the ship's photo shop and the Navy Library.