Collection 2019.11 - World War II Polar Bear Training Exercise Photograph Collection

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World War II Polar Bear Training Exercise Photograph Collection

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  • Graphic material

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Collection

Reference code

2019.11

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Date(s)

  • 1945 (Creation)

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Physical description

44 photographs : b&w ; 9 x 6 cm

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Scope and content

These photographs were taken by an unknown photographer from Department of National Deference Public Relations (Pacific Command) during the 1945 Polar Bear Exercise. This exercise was held in northern British Columbia in February and March 1945, using some 1,150 soldiers of the 6th Division. The intent of the exercise was to test the effects of "wet cold" conditions on military men and material. The scenario for the Polar Bear Exercise was that: "Action will be based on reports of a Japanese force having been landed at Bella Coola from submarines, having rendered useless RCAF installations at Bella Bella, and giving positive indication that this force is composed in great part of construction personnel with a comparatively small protective element; the assumption being that it will try to construct a useable road from Bella Coola to permit movement inland of a larger fighting force to follow at some later date". The exercise itself was conducted in three overlapping phases. Between 12 February and 5 March the force moved from Prince George to Anahim Lake, chiefly using an array of motor transport but with some pack horses. The second phase ran from 4 March to early April. This was a series of marches from Anahim Lake to Bella Coola and return; a secondary force of 19 men split off from the main body and, travelling by snowmobile and snowshoe, traversed the Rainbow Mountains to Bella Coola; on the return march this detachment was increased to 120 men and dubbed "Y" Force. The third phase was removal of all troops by vehicle from Anahim Lake to Williams Lake. These photographs are believed to document the return from Bella Coola.

Notes area

Arrangement

Arranged by the archivist.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

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    Restrictions on access

    No restrictions.

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    Personal or academic use of materials is welcomed under the standard fair dealing and educational use clauses of Canadian Copyright Law. Commercial use is, however, forbidden without the express permission of the copyright holder. For information on obtaining written permission from the copyright holder, please contact the Northern B.C. Archives and Special Collections.

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    General note

    If you can provide any additional information about these photographs, including identification of people and places, please contact us at archives@unbc.ca

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    Sources

    Halliday, Hugh A. (1997) "Recapturing the North: Exercises “Eskimo,” “Polar Bear” and “Lemming,” 1945," Canadian Military History: Vol. 6 : Iss. 2 , Article 4. Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol6/iss2/4

    Accession area