Antarctic and Southern Ocean Meteorology (continued)

Another flight by RAAF Liberator departed Laverton (Melbourne) on 13 March and flew 850 nautical miles on a course of 185 degrees, returning to Laverton. Charlie James, forecaster at the Essendon aviation office flew as meteorological observer. Bruce Retallack was responsible for preparation of a forecast and briefing of the crew.

On 14 March a RAAF Lincoln aircraft flew from East Sale for photographic reconnaissance of Macquarie Island and returned to Laverton (Melbourne). Harry Ashton joined the crew as meteorological observer. John Lillywhite provided the forecast and briefing at East Sale while Bruce Retallack debriefed the crew at Laverton.

The French had been active in Adelie Land before World War II and soon established a base in that area. They used Hobart as a port for resupply and Vic Bahr, as Divisional Meteorologist in Hobart, took the initiative of making contact with them and offering to assist and entertain them. He developed a particularly close liaison with them, meeting their ship on arrival from France or Adelie Land and farewelling them on departure.

The UK, Chile and Argentina were keen to establish areas of sovereignty in the Antarctic Peninsula and bases were established in that area.

The rival claims of the UK and US for Heard Island led to the UK persuading Australia to establish an ANARE base there while other bases were established by the French on nearby Kerguelen Island and by the South Africans on Marion Island to the west.

Matthew Fontaine Maury would have been overjoyed to see his dreams being realised in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

Bureau of Meteorology