Chapter 12 - "Cold - Exhausting, Unrelenting, Murderous Cold" Summary and Analysis

On the second day of searching O'Connor is located by radio beacon. His downed craft is nearly equidistant from the three closest air bases; therefore, C-47 transports will be of little use in routinely flying supplies to him. The next day two C-87s are commandeered and Gann, flying one of them, locates O'Connor's downed airplane. Supplies are dropped and other aircraft vector to Gann's position and drop their supplies. One airplane attempts a landing and, upon impact, tumbles hopelessly deep into drifted snow. Over the next several days additional supply drops are conducted and then worsening weather prevents anyone from reaching O'Connor's distant position. Massive snowfall completely alters the landscape, obliterating previously used guide features. Compasses continue to remain useless, and the trip itself...