The East Hartford Gazette

THREE POLES LOCATED

In a year of experimentation and research, an Army Air Force has tested men, theories, materials and equipment in the Arctic regions.

Flying more than 5,000 hours and more than a million miles over the "geographic North Pole and its immediate vicinity," the Air Force discloses that it discovered two new magnetic poles, in addition to correcting the position of the one recognized up to this day by science.

The major magnetic pole was located on Prince Of Wales island. A "local pole" was located on Boothia peninsula, which has been regarded as the site of the "magnetic North Pole" and another was found on Bathurst Island. Together the three poles make an elliptical magnetic field.

While the 46th Reconnaissance Squadron began its operations in June, 1946, high officials wondered about releasing details of the operation. It is known that American strategists regard the polar area as the shortest aerial invasion route between major powers and emphasize the strategic value of Alaska. The acquisition of aerial photographic maps of "unexplored" areas in the Arctic possesses peculiar value in connection with strategic problems.

As a result of the year's test, the conclusion has been reached that much standard-type ground equipment is inefficient for polar operations. In addition to the flights designed to discover facts of importance to aviation, the squadron conducted operations with ground forces to test their equipment and weapons in extreme cold. In addition, they mapped a 35,000-square mile area for the Navy in a search for possible oil-bearing formations.