New series: Operation Muskox (Beaufort Sea, 2009) Untitled, 2011, David Semeniuk (Collage) Time Magazine (1945): But everyone knew that any foreseeable war would not be won—or even fought—with tracked motor vehicles. What soldiers knew was that the polar icecap was no longer an impenetrable natural defense on Canada’s topside. So “certain technical research projects in Arctic air and ground warfare will [also] be studied… . The expedition is expected to obtain information of immense value.” What information—bases? Sites for launching rocket bombs? Reporters who asked such questions got only a grin and an answering question: “What do you think?” Without once mentioning atoms, a Cabinet Minister somberly said: “We all know that invasion of North America, if and when, will come from the north, not the south… . We have to be ready… . We have to be able to live, travel and fight in the cold.”  

New series: Operation Muskox (Beaufort Sea, 2009)

Untitled, 2011, David Semeniuk (Collage)

Time Magazine (1945):

But everyone knew that any foreseeable war would not be won—or even fought—with tracked motor vehicles. What soldiers knew was that the polar icecap was no longer an impenetrable natural defense on Canada’s topside. So “certain technical research projects in Arctic air and ground warfare will [also] be studied… . The expedition is expected to obtain information of immense value.”

What information—bases? Sites for launching rocket bombs? Reporters who asked such questions got only a grin and an answering question: “What do you think?” Without once mentioning atoms, a Cabinet Minister somberly said: “We all know that invasion of North America, if and when, will come from the north, not the south… . We have to be ready… . We have to be able to live, travel and fight in the cold.”