Secret Nazi Bases in Antarctica

In the years before World War II, Germany engaged in a little-known venture to Antarctica known as the Schwabenland expedition. Rumors have since intrigued enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists, leading to speculation about secret Nazi bases and otherworldly connections.

Schwabenland Expedition Aimed At Establishing Nazi Presence In Antarctica

Antarctic Coast Named "New Schwabenland" In Expedition, No Permanent Base Found

In December 1938, the expedition ship Schwabenland, captained by Alfred Ritscher, carried a crew of 82 scientists, officers, and support staff to Antarctica. Their mission was part of Germany's aim to become more self-sufficient in anticipation of war, with particular interest in supporting whale oil production for fat-based products. The crew was equipped with two flying boats for aerial reconnaissance, and they claimed land by dropping metal swastikas onto the ice. Unfortunately, not all swastikas were deployed due to an incident where some were jettisoned to lighten a plane's load.

Ritscher's team charted approximately 97,000 square miles of the continent, naming the region New Schwabenland. However, official records assert that the Germans did not establish a permanent Antarctic base. They concluded their mission and returned home in February 1939, as further expeditions were curtailed by the onset of World War II.

Germans' Secret Antarctic Base Rumor

Despite a lack of concrete evidence from the 1939 expedition records to confirm the establishment of a Nazi base, various theories have emerged over the years.

Germans Allegedly Found Gateway to Hell Under Antarctic Ice

Some theorists posit that the Nazis were in search of a subterranean realm known as Vreel, intending to tap into its supposed energy. Others have pushed the narrative further, suggesting that the Germans encountered a portal leading to hell beneath th ...

1946-47: Navy's Largest Antarctic Expedition, Operation High Jump

In August 1946, the U.S. Navy initiated Operation High Jump, one of the largest Antarctic sea and air expeditions, led by the seasoned polar explorer Admiral Richard Byrd. The fleet consisted of 13 ships, an aircraft carrier, a submarine, 33 aircraft, and 4,700 personnel, including 11 journalists. The official objectives of the operation were to conduct military training in harsh climates, scientific research, and to reinforce U.S. sovereignty in Antarctica.

The operation commenced on December 6, 1946, with mapping and reconnaissance flights starting by late December. Despite the operation's announced goals, there are lingering questions about why such a significant military presence was needed in the post-WWII period, sparking theories about hidden agendas.

U.S. Aircraft "George I" Crash Kills Three Crew, Blamed On Bad Weather

One of the aircraft, dubbed George I, crashed on December 30 due to whiteout conditions and an ice blink, leading to a fuel tank rupture when the pilots struck an ice ridge. The violent crash ejected crew members into the cold, killing three and trapping the survivors, who endured 12 days awaiting rescue in the 24-hour daylight of the Antarctic summer. The bodies of the deceased are still entombed beneath the ice. This crash and other losses were not thoroughly documented in declassified reports, adding to the mystery. By the time the operation concluded, 49,000 photographs had been taken, and approximately 537,000 square miles of Antarctic territory had been mapped.

Theorists Claim U.S. Forces Found Secret Nazi Base in Antarctica

Theories have emerged suggesting that Operation High Jump was a clandestine mission aimed at locating and eliminating a secret Nazi base supposedly established in Antarctica. These accounts claim that the Navy encountered not only formidable natural hazards but also advanced German weaponry and potentially unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

U.S. Aircraft Downed by Advanced German Arms or UFOs

A new narrative posits that Admiral Byrd encountered the purported ...

Speculation about Adolf Hitler's fate post-World War II and the existence of a secret Nazi base continue to intrigue theorists despite forensic evidence to the contrary.

Rumors Persist Of Hitler Escaping To Argentina After World War II

There are those who question whether Hitler died by suicide on April 30, 1945, emphasizing the scarcity of witnesses beyond his loyalists to confirm his death. Even though many high-profile Nazis found refuge in South America after the war, such as Adolf Eichmann, Joseph Mengele, and Walter Roth, Hitler was not among the passengers when two German submarines filled with Nazis arrived on the shores of Argentina after the war had ended in Europe. Nonetheless, despite forensic evidence, including Hitler's teeth and jawbone—which have been thoroughly examined and are stored in Moscow—confirming his death, some fringe theorists continue to speculate about his survival and escape.

If Hitler Escaped, Theories Suggest Nazis May Have a Base in Antarctica

Those who support escape theories suggest that not only did Hitler survive, but that he and his cohorts may have established a base in Antarctica.

Proponents Suggest the Base Was in Queen Maud Land or an Underground Cavern Network

Theorists have proposed that Hitler and Nazi officials could have landed and built a refuge in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. Speculation has been fueled by the arrival of a German U-boat in Mar del Plata, Argentina, which had fewer men than expected because they had allegedly dropped off some in Norway en route from Antarctica.

Theories Link "Hollow Earth" To Advanced Nazi Technology or Alien Help

Some theorists take this further, suggesting a connection between a secret Nazi base and "Hollow Earth" theories, implying ties to advanced Nazi technology or extraterrestrial assistance. Some believe the Nazis may have discovered a portal ...

The United States military has been involved in various activities in Antarctica, including the detonation of atomic bombs under Operation Argus in the late 1940s.

Operation Argus: Late 1940s U.S. Southern Hemisphere Nuclear Tests

Approximately a decade after Operation High Jump, the U.S. conducted three atomic bombs detonations in the southern hemisphere. These tests were part of a classified operation known as Operation Argus.

Nuclear Explosion Tests Outside Earth's Atmosphere Not Aimed At Nazi Bases

These secret nuclear tests conducted under Operation Argus in the late 1950s involved three detonations primarily intended to study the effects of nuclear explosions outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. They took place at high altitudes and were scientific in nature, focusing on the physics of nuclear explosions and their impact on the Earth's outer environment, such as the ionosphere and magnetic fields.

Theorists Claim Nuclear Tests Addressed Threat of Secret Nazi Antarctic Base

Despite claims by some theorists, there is no direct evidence provided that the nuclear ...