Potential Danger to S.A. in Antarctica: City Author Wants All Islands Annexed

Abstract

This article from the Weekend Cape Argus, written in mid-1948, shares a warning from Cape Town author John H. Marsh about how South Africa’s southern seas could be at risk in a future war. Drawing on his recent visit to Marion Island and his new book 'No Pathway Here', Marsh urges the South African government to annex or secure all sub-Antarctic and surrounding islands within missile range, citing their potential use as enemy launch sites in future global conflicts. The article recounts the 1947 secret naval mission to annex Prince Edward and Marion Islands (Operation Snoektown), highlighting Cold War-era anxieties and South Africa’s emerging geopolitical role.