many hitherto unknown areas with extensive aerial photo- 
graphic coverage. Operation Highjump was followed in 
1947 by Operation Windmill, which operated under in- 
structions similar to those of Highjump, though on a 
smaller scale. Both operations carried directives (only 
recently declassified) to extend and consolidate United 
States sovereignty. 
Operation Deepfreeze I, which headed south in 1955 to 
begin the establishment of bases for the International Geo- 
physical Year, was directed to continue the political activi- 
ties of Highjump and Windmill, reflecting the continuing 
United States “official” political interest in Antarctica. 
Since this was inconsistent with the world-wide agreement 
that there should be no political activities in connection 
with the International Geophysical Year, all reference to 
any political activity of any sort was dropped from the 
directive of Operation Deepfreeze II for 1956-1957. This 
operation was directed to support the IGY only. 
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS 
If there is any part of Antarctica that has particular mill- 
tary importance, it is the Palmer Peninsula. The only 
natural link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is 
Drake Passage, between Cape Horn and the Palmer Penin- 
sula. Should the Panama Canal be knocked out of com- 
mission, this might become a waterway of very great 
importance to us. 
Asa matter of fact, as early as 1820 Great Britain believed 
this waterway so significant that it directed Captain Brans- 
field to investigate the possibilities for colonization of the 
land south of the passage and to establish friendly relations 
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