Innovative Warfare: The Extraordinary Ice Aircraft Carrier Project
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Chapter 1: The Ice Carrier Concept
Geoffrey Nathaniel Pyke, a notable innovator, proposed a revolutionary idea during World War II: the construction of an aircraft carrier made entirely of ice. Was he able to bring this vision to fruition?
Project Habakkuk Ice aircraft carrier model. Source: alchetron.com
One notable moment occurred when Lord Louis Mountbatten, the chief of combined operations, burst into Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill’s apartment. He entered with a peculiar package and proceeded to place its contents into Churchill’s steaming bath. This substance resembled ice yet did not melt and floated effortlessly. Churchill, clearly intrigued by this material, approved further investigation. The material in question was called Pykrete, introduced by Geoffrey Nathaniel Pyke.
Early Life and Experience in World War I
Born into a Jewish family, Pyke attended Wellington public school and later studied law at Pembroke College, Cambridge. During the early days of World War I, he took a daring step by using a false identity to travel to Germany. Unfortunately, he was apprehended by German authorities and imprisoned. Undeterred, Pyke managed to escape with a fellow inmate, Falk, making his way to the Netherlands and eventually returning to Britain. He might have been the first Englishman to successfully flee Germany during the conflict.
As World War II loomed, Pyke volunteered to assist Spanish civilians during the Spanish Civil War, establishing the Voluntary Industrial Aid for Spain. This organization produced mobile medical units and modified motorcycles to carry essential medical supplies. When the Nazi regime began to dominate Europe, Pyke devised a plan to send a group of English students, disguised as golfers, into Germany to gauge public sentiment regarding the war. Unfortunately, the German police uncovered their mission, forcing the students to flee.
Section 1.1: Operation Plough
Pyke shifted his focus to the challenges of warfare in snowy terrains, particularly considering Norway's harsh conditions. He proposed the development of a screw-propelled vehicle designed to navigate through snow. Initially dismissed, his idea gained traction when Lord Mountbatten and Churchill expressed interest. Pyke traveled to the USA to help develop the M-29 Weasels as part of Operation Plough, which would see action across various theaters during the war.
Chapter 2: The Vision of Project Habakkuk
The first video explores the audacious plan to create an aircraft carrier from ice, showcasing the innovative thinking behind Project Habakkuk.
Pyke's ambitious vision led to the conception of Project Habakkuk. He discovered Pykrete, a unique blend of wood pulp and ice that could float, which emerged as a potential solution to the wartime shortages of aluminum and steel. Pyke proposed the creation of an entirely Pykrete-based aircraft carrier, which could serve as a formidable naval asset in the Atlantic, facilitating air attacks on France and hunting U-boats.
In collaboration with scientist Max Perutz, Pyke determined the optimal composition of Pykrete: 15% wood pulp and 85% water, cooled to -16°C (3°F). Construction began on a large-scale model in Jasper National Park, Alberta. To demonstrate Pykrete's durability, Lord Mountbatten shot at both a block of ice and a block of Pykrete; the ice shattered, while the bullet simply bounced off the Pykrete. The Royal British Navy ordered a Pykrete aircraft carrier, but the project's momentum stalled due to disagreements with the US Army and the high costs associated with insulation and refrigeration.
Later Projects and Innovations
Pyke continued to seek innovative solutions, proposing ice flares to freeze enemy positions as an alternative to flamethrowers. He also devised a plan for the Allied invasion of Normandy, suggesting the use of pipes from ships to land, allowing soldiers to slide through while being lubricated with water to reduce friction.
After the war, faced with fuel shortages, Pyke imagined a human-powered train engine. His creativity knew no limits until his tragic suicide on February 21, 1978. The Times of London recognized his contributions, stating, "The death of Geoffrey Pyke removes one of the most original if unrecognized figures of the present century."
The second video delves into what ultimately happened to Project Habakkuk, exploring its legacy and the innovative spirit behind it.