Many years ago the Antarctic Division used Army DUKWs crewed by regular army personnel for ship to shore unloading. I'm sure the figure mentioned was 600 tons per season using 2 DUKWs. Overloading was essential and I've seen a photograph of a DUKW with 44 gallon drums of fuel stacked high in the cargo bay and the rear deck almost awash. Obviously well over the 4 ton rating given these vehicles by the Australian Army.
I think it was at Mawson base where a ramp had been cut through the ice for the vehicles to come ashore. Before leaving at the end of each season a series of explosive charges were laid on the ramp. These were detonated on return the following year to clear any accumulation of ice since the previous mission.
The DUKWs were eventually replaced by LARC Vs. I don't know what the current situation is but imagine a lot of supplies would come by air nowadays.
David
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Hell no! I'm not that old!
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