Treacherous Antarctic Journey: The Quest for the Lost Nukes, #1

By Christiaan Voges

A regime change often has unforeseen consequences. Sometimes, it stirs up a hornet's nest. The disruption to people's lives can lead to desperate actions. The Generals had to deal with secret nukes and avoid a future witch hunt. Will they succeed?

The aftermath of the South African Border wars was painful. Was the war in vain? James must fit in with civil society and build a new life. Will he survive uncontrollable forces?

Events led to treachery as James was forced into taking drastic actions. Would he suffer the consequences? At times, he was a hunted man. Would he be able to negotiate the dramatic and dangerous sequence of events? Would he survive with his dreams intact? Only time will tell …

The scenery starts with James' experience in the Border War in Angola. After traumatic experiences, the military veteran became a civilian, but drama would soon haunt him to move on. Eventually, the journey to the research base in Antarctica seemed like a solution but led to dramatic decisions and treacherous relationships. But the actions led to more fearful repercussions, and his troubles only started, and followed him back home to South Africa, where it got worse ...

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Veteran Ventures
• Release date: Dec 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223452614

Christiaan Voges

From past experiences, military veterans have great stories to tell. Add some imagination, suspense, and more drama, as well as weaving the stories into one fictional adventure, and we have some great Action and Adventure books.

Book preview

Acknowledgement

A SPECIAL THANKS TO Dr. Evert van Dijk. He assisted by reviewing the manuscript and provided much needed advice on how to enhance the experience for the reader. Without his assistance and great advice this book may not have reached the publishing phase. His experience and literary wisdom have certainly been essential to enhance this work and see it through to completion.

Dr. Evert van Dijk also motivated extra chapters via inter alia his international journalistic experience especially during the 1980s in Southern Africa. This inspired the expansion to a fully-fledged suspense drama. He helped me understand how to bind the attention of the reader and make the book enjoyable to the end.

Also thanks to my late wife for her patience. She allowed me the many hours and late nights while I wrote this book and did research. Many thanks for her mercy and understanding.

Dedication

Aspecial dedication must go to my younger sister, Hannie Maree, who helped me in a time of trial. Without her encouragement and guidance this book may not have been completed.

Her encouraging words have enabled the writer in me to get going when the going was difficult. She believed in me, and it carried me through to the initial completion.

Thanks sis!

A FURTHER DEDICATION must go to my current friend Hester Lomax who helped me through some dark times in my life, and helped me keep my Faith and hope.

Thank you Hester.

Preface

Aregime change often has unforeseen consequences. Sometimes it stirs up a hornet’s nest. The disruption to people’s lives can lead to desperate actions. South African Generals had to deal with secret nukes and also avoid a future witch hunt. Will they succeed?

The aftermath of the South African Border wars was painful. Was the war in vain? Now James must fit in with civil society and build a new life. Will he survive uncontrollable forces?

Events lead to treachery as James was forced into taking drastic actions. Would he suffer the consequences? At times he felt like a hunted man. Would he be able to negotiate the dramatic and dangerous sequence of events? Would he survive with his dreams intact? Only time will tell ...

Prologue

Military HQ, Pretoria, South Africa

23 September 1979

The secret agent from the military ran past the protesting secretary and down the corridor. His pounding heels echoed across the long and shining floor. Near the end he grabbed the handles, and burst through the double doors. He suddenly found himself in the General’s meeting room unannounced!

General Barend Oberholtzer threw his big hands in the air and shouted, We are in a meeting! Who let you in?

General Jan Venter swung his chair around, pointed a stern finger at the agent, and demanded, Close the doors!

The agent swung around, secured the double doors, turned back, and said in a shaky voice: They detected the blast!

What blast? General Venter demanded.

The nuclear blast!

Who did?

The Americans!

How do you know?

I learned this from one of our contacts in the American CIA.

How did they detect it?

From a satellite.

How?

It detected a double flash of light.

General Venter straightened his back, sat up like a drill sergeant, and asked: "And that proves that a nuclear blast happened?

The secret agent took a deep breath and began explaining: According to the scientists in America, that signature double flash is typical of a nuclear blast, particularly if the second flash is bigger.

So the satellite first recorded the detonators exploding, then the nuclear explosion? General Venter guessed.

The scientists had another explanation.

What is it?

Apparently, the satellite detected the initial nuclear flash, and then the pressure wave formed a vapor bubble that hides the light, which then dissipates, allowing the light through again.

Where did it happen? General Venter demanded again, stretching his hands over the table, as if he was opening a map in his mind.

Apparently halfway between South Africa and Antarctica.

Over the sea?

Yes.

Silence followed. General Venter’s short grey hair seemed to stand on edge. He turned to the other generals but said nothing. They just looked at each other, stunned into silence. This was shocking news. It changed everything.

Then he turned to the secret agent again, pointed his stern finger, and said: We categorically deny any involvement. We don’t have nukes! Is that clear!

Yes, sir!

I want a full report from you as soon as possible. And close the doors on your way out! And tell the secretary to lock the exit doors after you!

Yes, sir!

The agent rushed out and relayed the instructions to the secretary, who hurriedly locked the doors after he exited.

Admiral George Maritz was the first to protest: I was told that there was a typhoon blowing over the southern Indian Ocean which would have caused a cloud cover, so how could a satellite pick up a double flash?

Perhaps the typhoon also blew a hole in the cloud cover? General Venter suggested, his steel blue eyes seemingly radiating his bright mind.

More silence followed as the top men of the South African defense force considered the implications.

You can be sure there will be NASA planes flying over the area by now to detect any radioactive fallout. General Oberholtzer said. As commander of the Air force, he would know.

And some ships will collect water samples from the sea for labs to monitor for increases in radioactivity. Admiral Maritz added, speaking from experience.

General Venter got up and started pacing up and down in the boardroom.

Stopping in the far corner, he turned to the others and said: This is bad, very bad. The UN wants to increase sanctions, the Atomic Agency wants us to sign a nuclear nonproliferation pact, and we suggested that we have no nukes. And we promised our Allies that their assistance will always be a secret!

And if we eventually have to accept full democracy under pressure from the UN, and they know we have nukes, how will that work out? General Oberholtzer interjected, What will the African nations do? Will the new South African government demand control over the nukes? You know we have started a border war with Angola. And the Russians are getting involved!

General Oberholtzer shook his head in disbelief, his tall figure slumping over the table. The situation was becoming beyond belief.

General Venter continued to pace up and down nervously and spoke aloud to himself: This complicates everything.

Then he sat down and said: Let’s wait for the report from the intelligence agency. In the meantime, we deny that we were involved. We question every report that anyone brings out. We can’t lose those nukes. It is our bargaining chip.

We may have to make it disappear before it lands in the wrong hands. General Oberholzer suggested, The new government cannot gain control over it!

The evidence or the nukes? Admiral Maritz asked.

General Oberholzer folded his arms, leaned back, and said: Both. He straightened his back, and his big posture was even more evident.

The top military men looked at each other. It was clear that they had to deal with this dilemma, and time was running out. How would this play out? How could this dilemma be resolved without disastrous consequences for the Southern African region? Millions of people’s lives were at risk. The stakes were high, very high.

THIS SITUATION DRAGGED on for another ten years. Finally, it had to be dealt with. The world could not wait any longer.

The clash of minds and plans would be a feature of future events. The role players would often disagree and argue about how to proceed. Somewhere in the future, this dilemma must be resolved without a greater war breaking out.

A few years later it would come down to the loyalties and actions of one military veteran on his way to Antarctica. Would he escape the consequences of his actions in a changing political landscape? He would be played without really knowing what was going on.

But he also developed his own plans, desperately trying to regain control of his life.

1 Secret General’s Meeting

July 1990

Air Force Base near Pretoria

The General jumped up and slammed his fists on the table!

Are you going to turn traitor on us? General Barend Oberholtzer said, his face turning red, I cannot commit Air force resources if any of you may become a rogue operator! I am surprised you can even contemplate the reassembly!

I will never double-cross you! General Venter said, That’s why I am mentioning this right now in this meeting! For heaven’s sake, we are all in this together!

General Jan Venter looked at the others sternly and continued: I am willing to commit army resources! I will manage the operation without the operatives knowing what is going on.

No way! Fleet Admiral George Maritz said, shaking his head, We can’t reassemble those nuclear bombs! We will violate the United Nations treaties!

His mouth formed more words, but then he turned silent, just shaking his head in disbelief.

Eleven years have passed since the Vela incident, General Venter protested, and we still have not formulated an agreed-on concrete plan. We are running out of time!

The two generals and fleet admiral confronted each other in the dimly lit room around the big table. The boardroom was soundproofed as per specifications, with thick walls, double doors, and deep soft carpets.

Are you sure the sound equipment is off? General Oberholtzer asked softly.

Yes, you can see all the little pilot lights are off. General Venter indicated, pointing at the far corner of the room.

Silence fell on the three top men, eyeing each other, baffled by what was suggested. They never expected to be in this situation.

After a few moments of silence, General Oberholtzer ventured another angle.

I hear America wants us to wrap up operations in the border war with Angola. The White House has a new administration, and now they think differently.

That is one issue. General Venter said, But there is the more pressing question about the new South African government here that will soon form. We can’t let them have the nukes. South Africa must begin with a clean slate! The secrets and threats of the past have to be buried. We have to be wary of Affirmative Action appointees starting a witch hunt! The new African government may already be planting spies!

We must have nukes ready if the Russian threat from Angola gets worse! General Venter continued, pointing to an imaginary enemy in the corner.

But the UN inspected the disassembly of those nukes! Fleet Admiral Maritz contested, We have to leave them like that.

General Venter raised his hand to hold the conversation and said: Well, you know there are spare parts hidden down a mine in the middle of the Karoo desert.

General Venter stood up and started pacing around the table, energy surging through his fit body: We could reassemble those in case of an emergency to have a trump card. But we can’t take any chances of it falling into the hands of an African government. The African Union will never forgive us for that!

That will upset the balance of powers. Admiral Maritz said, his eyes following Venter: So what you are saying is that everything that remotely makes up those nukes must all be removed in one piece from our country, right?

And items discarded, General Oberholtzer demanded, pointing south with his hand, and pieces must be taken away to a very far place. It must be so far and dangerous that nobody would ever want to go and search for it or be able to reassemble the nukes.

And the international community must be able to sense any attempt by the new African government at searching for the nukes. Admiral Maritz added.

Even better! General Oberholtzer confirmed, standing up. After a few moments, he tried to sway it back to the original plan: So how do we get rid of all the parts and make it disappear?

General Jan Venter stood at the corner of the table and stared at Barend Oberholtzer.

Shouldn’t we attempt to reassemble it before moving it far away, just in case the politics go wrong and we need it quickly to force a better deal? General Venter ventured again, Remember, it remains our duty to secure the homeland with everything we have.

The other two top-ranking officers are baffled at his insistence on reassembly and look at him in silence. He tried again:

And as you know, there are senior people with secrets that must be left alone so that we don’t end up with a witch-hunt. Some secrets must remain hidden. We actually need a trump card! General Venter insisted again, pushing his fists down on the table.

So what you want is that the nukes must be reassembled and slowly but surely disappear? And we must be able to regain the nukes in a hurry and use them as a bargaining chip? General Oberholzer asked, staring at the other two men.

That would be ideal! General Venter confirmed, nodding his head. They can be reassembled one night in the secret building behind the hill from the Nuclear Research facility near Pretoria and then moved away.

If we agree to the reassembly, we must control the operation. Admiral Maritz added, stretching his hands out on the table: We are all in, or it’s off the table, but I can’t agree with reassembling it.

And one day, if all goes well, the nukes must have disappeared so far away that nobody can find it or use it. General Oberholtzer insisted.

Or ever know that we even contemplated it! General Venter reassured them.

That sounds impossible. General Oberholzer added, leaning back and folding his arms in disapproval.

Think about it. There must be a way. General Venter continued. He folded his arms and started to pace around the room again.

So what you are saying is we must get others to do this for us, without them knowing that they are doing it for us, and nobody must have concrete proof that we ordered it, and we must somehow control it, and in the process hold the trump cards, and be able to reverse the process if we are in any danger? General Oberholtzer asked and sat down again.

That would be what is required. General Venter slowly affirmed, nodding his head to emphasize his plan.

How far must the nukes be removed? Admiral Maritz asked.

The Kalahari dessert? General Oberholtzer interjected.

Much farther! General Venter said, turning around and pacing the room in the opposite direction.

We can’t move them to another country. It must be a neutral spot, somehow accessible by NATO and European nations, but inhospitable, dangerous, and even deadly. However, we must be closest to get it first. Only we can know where the nukes are. No other country can know it, not even our new African government. General Oberholtzer insisted.

Antarctica? Admiral Maritz ventured.

General Venter stopped and affirmed: Yes. That will do. It is neutral, many nations have rights to it, yet people can die trying to access it.

He looked at the other two men and continued: We have a research base there. We can retrieve the nuclear bombs first in case of a political emergency.

The scientists at our base in Antarctica cannot know about this! Admiral Maritz protested and stood up.

Oberholtzer also nodded. Leaning back, he continued:

The military cannot be involved in a trip to Antarctica. That will look suspicious. You can expect the spying Russian trawlers to pick up on it; you know, those so-called fish trawlers that are actually spy ships? They have often followed our research vessel sailing to Antarctica. General Oberholzer said.

After some thought, he continued: What cover story can we use?

We can fabricate one. That is easy. But how can we get some personnel to be involved without them knowing what is going on? Admiral Maritz asked and sat down.

The left hand mustn’t know what the right hand is doing, nor why.  General Oberholtzer suggested.

So we need operatives from the army ground forces and air force, and navy fleet also involved. They mustn’t know of each other, or at least why. The connection between the operatives is only the three of us. Admiral Maritz said.

And we need just enough involvement to pull it off, yet not enough to expose the plot or to point to us in this meeting. General Venter said. Then pointing to Maritz, he said: We will get a covert team on the ice to get hold of the nukes and bury it halfway to the Base in the night. The scientists will not know about it.

That sounds impossible. General Oberholtzer said, shaking his head.

But plausible. Come on, think, gentlemen! General Venter urged.

We need to stay in touch, but secretly, and have backup plans. Admiral Maritz said, The operatives must report back constantly through separate channels so that we can know if something did not work out. This is very dangerous!

As with any war, things may go wrong, but we must manage it. There is a risk, but we can pull it off. General Venter said, motivating his plan and walking around the room again, pacing from corner to corner.

I agree, but not with the reassembling. Admiral Maritz said.

We all have families. We need to think about our wives and children and grandchildren. Oberholtzer said, This can’t go wrong!

Silence followed in the dimly lit room as the generals contemplated the impossible. General Venter opened his briefcase and pulled out three Cuban cigars, handing two to the other men in the room, almost as a peace offering.

This needs careful planning, Oberholtzer said, looking at his cigar.

It needs a plan and backup plans. It can’t be done in a day! Maritz said as he prepared his Cuban cigar.

General Venter took out his golden Dunhill lighter, a gift from his wife, and lit a little flame, offering it to the others. They lit their cigars, contemplating the enormity of what was discussed. Smoke filled the room as military brains schemed the seemingly impossible plot.

I think it can work. Admiral Maritz said, But we need to take it one step at a time, get feedback, have backup plans, and keep it a secret.

Obviously, there will be many steps. General Venter confirmed and started pacing around again: I think we have to do it. We have to succeed. We need different cover stories for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. We need different reasons, and the operatives report back immediately to their only contacts if things do not work out. We will be the only ones who know the full extent of what is happening.

The Generals nodded in agreement, enjoying the cigars. The room began to fill with sweet-smelling Cuban cigar smoke.

But no reassembling! Admiral Maritz tried again, pointing his finger at Venter.

If there is no reassembling, then we don’t have a bargaining chip. Perhaps we should reassemble but secretly. General Oberholtzer affirmed.

More silence followed, with the three powerful men eyeing each other through the smoke-filled room.

Eventually, General Venter made a suggestion: Fine. I hear you. Next Sunday, let’s all go sailing in my yacht on the Vaal dam south of Johannesburg. Then we can privately discuss our plans. In the meantime, think about your plans for your divisions, and let us know.

The others agreed, got up, and casually opened the door. It was getting hot and uncomfortable. They all filed out of the soundproof room while deep in thought. This was going to be a dangerous operation with far-reaching implications.

2 Confrontations on the Dam

August 1990

Vaal Dam near Vanderbijlpark

In the dark hour before dawn, the yachts on the Vaal dam were barely visible through the mist as they lay still in the smooth dark water. Lights on the lamp poles barely caused a glow in the dark of the fog drifting in from the dam. It formed a mysterious otherworldly environment.

A few figures were barely visible as they moved down the walkway between the rows of yachts with their bags. 

The three seemingly dedicated fishermen boarded a yacht with all their fishing gear, including cooler bags. The owner started the engine. A soft vibration proved that the engine was running. Little pilot lights began to flicker on the stern and top of the mast, reassuring that the electrics were operational. 

One man untied the mooring ropes and gave the yacht a push before jumping on. The vessel slowly drifted away from the jetty. The owner engaged the reverse gear of the motor, and the craft slowly moved away from the other boats.

Once they were clear of the small harbor, the yacht turned around and softly moved away to deeper waters while the sails were unfurled. The yacht leaned over as the breeze filled the sails. The motor was cut, and they silently sailed away into the dark morning fog.

You two look great in your civilian attire. General Barend Oberholtzer said, rubbing his hands to fend off the cool breeze. If I didn’t know you better, I would have had to admit you were seasoned fishermen!

He was joking with his friends.

I guess the Airforce members don’t spend much time on the water! General Jan Venter said jokingly, But the ground forces know how to fish for a living.

Nobody knows how to fish like we navy people! Fleet Admiral George Maritz boasted, grinning from ear to ear. However, let’s be quiet for a while. Sound can travel far over smooth water, and people on the shore can probably hear our conversation. Let’s wait till we are a kilometer away. And I suggest we go inside the yacht when we do our more serious discussion.

The other nodded in agreement, and for a while, they concentrated on sailing slowly to the middle of the dam, maneuvering the sails for maximum utilization in the morning breeze.

The sunrise over the dam painted the most beautiful red picture as the mist slowly lifted before the sun's heat. The three top men of the South African defense force walked in silence around the boat as they managed the sails. Fishing rods with lines were also placed outside to create the impression of fishing. However, they spent no effort on fashioning bait on the hooks.

Once they were in the middle of the dam, the sails were furled up and bound. A serious discussion could begin. The anchor was dropped and secured. A glance at the distant shoreline assured them that nobody was interested in three anglers on a yacht in the middle of the dam.

Some coffee from a hot flask helped to activate the military minds of the South African defense force.

General Venter started the conversation: Have you made some progress with your plans?

Firstly, understand that this is your plan and responsibility. General Oberholtzer jumped in, The nukes are firstly under your command. You acquire and manage the agents that will directly guide the movements of the nukes, but they must not even be aware that they are nukes. It was firstly your request. We provide backup support, particularly if something goes wrong. We can supply ancillary operations that can assist in the overall plan. But you wanted it, and you take responsibility. I can’t stress enough how dangerous this is!

Then he added: And I still don’t know if it is possible to pull off such a daring operation.

Some silence fell on the three top men as they considered what the General said.

After a few moments, General Oberholtzer continued.

One person must lead this operation. We will all be in big trouble if anyone begins a rogue operation. We need to figure out code words so we can call each other when things go wrong and discuss it without others within earshot knowing what we are talking about. We must be able to make course corrections to steer the process to the right and safe conclusion. And I still think we shouldn’t reassemble the nukes to make them active. If it happens, I don’t want to know about it and will deny it!

General Venter looked at the two men and slowly nodded.

Here are some code words you can easily remember. General Venter said, Pel refers to the research center where civilians work. Val refers to the secret military building on the other side of the town where I have authority. So if officers or agents talk about ‘Pel’ we mean the civilian operative, and if they talk about ‘Val’ it means me.

That’s easy to remember. General Oberholtzer said.

Fleet Admiral Maritz laughed, and said: Pel sounds like pal, otherwise a friend, and Val sounds like a woman friend.

Exactly. General Venter said, And that will confuse anybody overhearing the conversation.

That’s very good. General Oberholzer smiled and nodded, But messages must be concise – just a few words. No long conversations!

That is understood. General Venter calmly said, So what support can you give me from a logistics point of view?

The whole show must go to Antarctica. Fleet Admiral Maritz said and added, I am aware of a Frigate that will go on maneuvers in that area of the South Seas, crossing into the roaring forties to test the sailors in those rough conditions. It may assist any other boats that may get into difficulties if you know what I mean, but that is all I can say.

General Venter thought about it and nodded, taking a sip from the warm coffee mug.

The mug showed an inscription of ‘The greatest dad,’ probably a gift from his daughter. The idea was to bring the thought of family responsibilities to the minds of the men. These were deadly serious matters and will have enormous repercussions for their families.

General Venter turned to General Oberholtzer and looked at him expectantly for his input.

We need to test the capabilities of the Onyx helicopter in the Antarctic conditions. General Oberholtzer said. The engineers have suggested some modifications and are looking for an opportunity to take it down to Antarctica. We think that in the cold and dense atmosphere, it will have quite a strong lifting capability and would like to test its performance for heavy lift operations, if you know what I mean. But again, I can’t agree with the idea of reassembling nukes, nor anything that you are planning to do with the live ordinance. The idea of reassembling nukes is off the table for me.

General Oberholtzer looked at Venter to see his expression and continued: So obviously, there will be helicopter pilots that will accompany the big bird and a maintenance engineer. There will also be tools, test equipment, the usual.

Well, I know what you mean, General Venter said with a sly grin on his face, What you are saying is that there can be a Frigate in the area and a heavy-lift helicopter, but that is it!

Oberholzer nodded.

Then Venter got up, walked up the stairs to the back of the yacht, stood at the wheel, and looked around at the shoreline. So far, he could see no other yachts or boats on the dam. Then he spotted a speedboat on a trailer moving to the ramp next to the small harbor in the distance. That would be normal and should not raise any suspicions.

Coming down from the gantry, he changed tactics. His face turned red, and he blurted out at the other men: Is that all you can offer! You seem to push it all onto me! Think about your family! Think about the country! A million conscripts had to risk their lives on your orders! Will you simply hand the defense capability over to the new African government? You sound like traitors. Can you face the families of conscripts that died in the border war?

He looked at the two other men sitting below, looking a bit baffled, and continued: We all have ghosts from the past! Consider that the new government may begin a witch hunt, and you will be their first target! We need some serious bargaining chips. African generals will soon replace you. Think about your families! General Venter said, lifting his mug with the inscription of ‘The greatest dad’ on it to emphasize his point.

Silence fell on the men while they absorbed the emotional outburst, their poker faces showing no emotion.

After a few moments, General Venter said thoughtfully: I will have to find another ship that goes down to Antarctica.

I can only think of one such ship. Admiral Maritz said: An icebreaker. The Department of Environmental Affairs can help us with that one.

Good idea. If the icebreaker goes on its usual journey to its base in Antarctica, it should not raise any suspicion. General Oberholtzer commented.

That sounds quite innocent. Admiral Maritz continued, The icebreaker will sail as usual, and our helicopter will join the usual one used for the Antarctica expedition. An extra military crate can be explained as extra tools and parts. People should not be suspicious of that. The presence of extra military personnel from the Airforce is then also seen as needed for the test and maintenance of the helicopter. And a Frigate from the fleet can be in the area in case of a change of plans. 

And that is how we can support you. General Oberholtzer confirmed.

Then looking at Venter, he asked: "How would