Norwegian-British-Swedish Antarctic Expedition
The Norwegian-British-Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1949-1952 journeyed to Antarctica with an international team of scientists, led by the Norwegian, John Schelderup Giaever. Their aim was to undertake meteorological recordings to establish if the climatic fluctuations seen in the Arctic were happening in the Antarctic. A base known as Maudheim was established on the Quar Ice Shelf, in Dronning Maud Land in February 1950. What followed was an intensive program of meteorological, geophysical, seismic, and glaciological observations.
In the summer of 1950-51, Phil Law voyaged as Australian observer on the expeditions supply ship Norsel. This 700 ton vessel had been a Norwegian sealer and was powered by a war surplus German U-boat engine.
This well organised expedition laid the ground plan for the Australian expeditions to the continent from 1954 to the early 60s. Law observed the use for the first time of the Weasel oversnow vehicles, Auster floatplanes, dog sledging teams, aerial photography as well as the equipment and type of clothing needed to run a successful expedition. In a nutshell he saw how it was done.
Following the winding up of the NBSAE Law managed to purchase much of the equipment, including one of the expedition's main huts that is now the historic Biscoe Hut at Mawson. He also purchased the expedition's Auster aircraft that finally went south again on the Kista Dan in 1954.
Further Reading
Giaever, J. (1954) The White Desert. The official account of the Norwegian British Swedish Antarctic Expedition. London:Chatto and Windus.is
Law, Phillip You have to be lucky: Antarctica and other adventures. 1995
