So Supernatural: CONSPIRACY: Operation Highjump

Host: Ashley Flowers
Co-hosts: Yvette Gentile & Rasha Pecorero
Date: August 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of So Supernatural, Ashley Flowers delves into the real events and explosive conspiracy theories surrounding Operation Highjump—a vast U.S. Navy expedition to Antarctica in 1946–1947, officially tasked with polar training and scientific research. The hosts unravel layers of speculation: Was the mission a smokescreen for a U.S. land grab, a hunt for hidden Nazi outposts, a coverup of encounters with alien civilizations, or even proof of the Earth’s most bizarre secrets? Through historical accounts, wild theories, and firsthand reports, they explore why Operation Highjump still captures the imagination of conspiracy theorists and truth-seekers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historical Facts Behind Operation Highjump

• Setting the Stage ([01:31–04:25])

  • Ashley introduces the premise: “The best way to perform a top secret mission is to make it seem like it’s not secret at all. Just like Operation Highjump did after World War II.” ([01:41])
  • Context: In 1946, 4,700 U.S. Navy personnel were sent to Antarctica, officially for “training in extreme conditions” and scientific study.

• Richard Byrd’s Role and Legacy ([04:53–07:54])

  • Rasha recounts Admiral Richard Byrd’s rise as a pioneering polar explorer, establishing bases (“Little America”) and setting records flying over Antarctica.

2. What Was Operation Highjump Really About?

• Official and Unofficial Motives ([07:54–13:40])

  • The Cold War’s influence: Testing troop and equipment readiness for Arctic conflict without provoking the Soviets.
  • The operation’s unprecedented scale and the odd inclusion of eleven journalists and filmmakers. Yvette points out, “If they’re not ready, why in the world would the military want to broadcast that weakness to the entire world?” ([09:43])

• Disaster-Struck Mission ([15:17–18:09])

  • Recap of deadly accidents: Plane and helicopter crashes due to extreme Antarctic conditions.
  • Unexplained emphasis on documenting every step, despite failures.

3. Early Rumors and Conspiracies

• Theories Emerge ([13:40–14:15], [19:54–21:33])
  • Oddities in the mission’s execution (e.g., unclear objectives, rapid withdrawal) spurred suspicions of a cover-up.
  • The operation’s abrupt end in February 1947, after just three months, raised more questions.

4. Conspiracy Theories Broken Down

a. U.S. Land Grab

• Academic Insight ([21:33–23:42])
  • Historian Diane Olson Bellinger’s theory: U.S. aimed to claim Antarctic territory under the guise of scientific exploration.
  • The U.S. government later admitted this motive, but Rasha points out, “I still don’t think this land grab…fully explains the scope of the operation.” ([23:42])

b. Flat Earth and the Ice Wall

• Flat Earth Claims ([24:43–26:25])
  • Rasha outlines the theory: Antarctica is not a continent, but a massive ice wall encircling a flat earth.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • Ashley: “Sort of like how the crust around a pizza holds the sauce, cheese, and toppings in place.” ([24:47])
    • Yvette counters: “To accept this theory, you have to ignore every single photo we’ve taken of the Earth from a satellite… and the laws of physics entirely.” ([26:25])
  • Ice walls are real—called “ice shelves”—but not the mythical world rim proponents claim.

c. The Nazi Base and Hitler’s Escape

• Rooted in WWII Lore ([28:53–34:11])
  • The notion that Byrd’s real mission was to find a secret Nazi base or even capture Hitler, based on rumors and Argentine pulp journalism.
  • Yvette debunks the plausibility: “He couldn’t come up with a single shred of proof that Hitler was alive and had fled to Argentina” ([34:11]), plus the geography and timing don’t add up.
  • Acknowledgement: Many Nazis did flee to Argentina, but not via Antarctic UFOs or hidden bases.

d. Hollow Earth, Aliens & the Diary of Admiral Byrd

• Alleged Encounters ([36:13–39:15])

  • Story emerges (lacking direct evidence) that Byrd entered an underground crystal city, met humanoid beings called the Arianni, and returned with a message to stop humanity’s nuclear testing.
  • Nods to the story’s apocryphal nature: “If you want to go back and read the original diary for yourself, the thing is, you won’t be able to find it.” ([39:15])

• Possible Coverup and Real Tension

  • Ashley speculates: “Either that, or the government hid the entries because they’re too explosive to release to the public.” ([40:42])
  • Some historical records confirm that Byrd “had a huge falling out with the rest of the Navy’s leadership around the time that Operation Highjump ended.” ([41:43]) This may have simply been about safety, not secrecy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On believing in government cover-ups:
  • Yvette: “Absolutely, yes, we do, 100%. We believe the stories and we definitely believe that the government has a reason to cover up all kinds of different supernatural events…” ([04:37])
• On Operation Highjump’s confusing objectives and execution:
  • Ashley: “The operation is looking like a complete waste of time, money, and resources. Some of the details just don’t add up, including why journalists are documenting these failures…” ([13:40])
• On the Flat Earth theory:
  • Rasha: “Sort of like how the crust around a pizza holds the sauce, cheese, and toppings in place.” ([24:47])
  • Yvette: “To accept this theory, you have to ignore… the laws of physics entirely.” ([26:25])
• On Hitler-in-Antarctica theory:
  • Yvette: “It would be like if you heard that Hitler was alive in San Francisco, so you went to look for him in Chicago.” ([34:11])
• On the Hollow Earth myth:
  • Ashley: “It’s not that crazy to say that there could be a massive cave under Antarctica. Especially because that continent is uninhabited and still largely unexplored.” ([42:52])
• Conspiracy, reality, or both?
  • Yvette: “Even if the conspiracy theories about Operation Highjump are completely false, it’s possible that Richard still believed in one or more of them… maybe the servicemen… really were there to explore an ice wall or…try to reach the center of the earth. Even if they didn’t succeed…they still tried.” ([43:51])
  • Ashley: “We may never know the true purpose of Operation Highjump. The secrets might be lost in the remote, frigid plains of Antarctica forever…” ([44:40])

Segment Timestamps

• [01:31] - Setting the scene: Operation Highjump’s stated goal and immediate oddities
• [04:53] - Who was Admiral Richard Byrd?
• [09:43] - Journalists, filmmakers, and other strange mission details
• [15:17] - The disastrous plane crash and survival ordeal
• [19:54] - Reactions and doubts expressed by rank-and-file servicemen
• [21:33] - “Land grab” theory and government admissions
• [24:43] - Flat Earth and the mythic Antarctic ice wall
• [28:53] - Hitler, Nazi bases, and Argentine legend
• [36:13] - The legend of Richard Byrd’s “Hollow Earth” journey
• [41:43] - Byrd’s confirmed falling out with the Navy
• [43:51] - The unresolved legacy: “We may never know…”

Conclusion

The So Supernatural team navigates the tangled web of facts, cover stories, and persistent legends that surround Operation Highjump. While some conspiracy theories stretch all credulity, lingering oddities and a tradition of secrecy keep the curiosity—and speculation—alive. As Rasha sums up, there are always “corners of the world that have yet to be discovered and explored” ([42:52]); and with Operation Highjump, the boundary between the known and the unknown may forever be blurred.

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