What do you think?
Rate this book
S-Squad #2
Operation Antarctica
When Captain John Banks and his squad are sent to investigate a derelict Nazi base in Antarctica, he expects to find only ice and dead men. But there is something in the domed hangar bay that has been waiting for decades for release.
A weapon was primed many years before. It had been meant to turn the tide of war.
Now it stirs under the ice once more.
A weapon was primed many years before. It had been meant to turn the tide of war.
Now it stirs under the ice once more.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2018
366 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
William Meikle
407 books1,850 followersI'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 13, 2018
They were the worst of Pulps, they were the best of Pulps. And no one does it better these days than William Meikle. With “Operation Antarctica” the author supplies us with re-animated Nazi’s in an isolated Antarctic cavern also containing a Nazi flying saucer, hidden away since the end of World War II.
No matter how intriguing this sounds, that’s not what elevates this second of the “S-Squad” books. In telling the back story of this installment, the second of the Captain John Banks stories, the reader discovers that near the end of World War II a German submarine was discovered by British intelligence with all of the crew dead.
Winston Churchill becomes involved and is confounded by these events, so he calls in his friend, Carnacki, the purveyor of things mystical and occult. This is where Mr. Meikle shines. If unfamiliar with the volumes of further adventures and investigations that Mr. Meikle has given us over the last years featuring Carnacki, then add making the reading of those yarns part of your ‘to do’ requirements.
The cold Antarctic plays a part in this story, as does an evil daemon that Banks must battle. However, interestingly enough, not a single female character can be found in these pages. There is adventure, considerable gun play, along with plenty of manly ‘locker room talk’ that the squad engages in. Don’t let that put you off, as there is also a bit of humor and camaraderie to move the tale along at a high level pace.
Overall I enjoyed “Operation Antarctica” more than the previous encounter with the ‘S-Squad’, and the next in this series “Operation: Siberia” appears to keep Banks and his squad in the ‘cold country’ for a bit longer.
No matter how intriguing this sounds, that’s not what elevates this second of the “S-Squad” books. In telling the back story of this installment, the second of the Captain John Banks stories, the reader discovers that near the end of World War II a German submarine was discovered by British intelligence with all of the crew dead.
Winston Churchill becomes involved and is confounded by these events, so he calls in his friend, Carnacki, the purveyor of things mystical and occult. This is where Mr. Meikle shines. If unfamiliar with the volumes of further adventures and investigations that Mr. Meikle has given us over the last years featuring Carnacki, then add making the reading of those yarns part of your ‘to do’ requirements.
The cold Antarctic plays a part in this story, as does an evil daemon that Banks must battle. However, interestingly enough, not a single female character can be found in these pages. There is adventure, considerable gun play, along with plenty of manly ‘locker room talk’ that the squad engages in. Don’t let that put you off, as there is also a bit of humor and camaraderie to move the tale along at a high level pace.
Overall I enjoyed “Operation Antarctica” more than the previous encounter with the ‘S-Squad’, and the next in this series “Operation: Siberia” appears to keep Banks and his squad in the ‘cold country’ for a bit longer.
October 12, 2022
Just could not help myself in getting the second book in the S-squad series as there are World War 2 connections in it. The book starts fast and the suspense is built up during the first part of the book, and the hope was there that it will be better than the first book, especially after Winston Churchill is brought in along with the fictional character of Thomas Carnacki using an old journal found by the commander, Banks. But unfortunately after this the story begins to disappoint as the setup of the story line is let down by the ending where it becomes a lot of chanting and dancing to keep the spirits out which becomes a drag to read as it becomes repetitive. Again also I do not understand why special operators on a stealth mission does not have suppressors/silencers on their weapons and again, just as fast as the book starts, it also ends with no aftermath to events. Still a decent enough escape from reality in the end, and will probably pick up the next book too in the future.
September 15, 2022
This is the second book of the S-Squad series. When Captain John Banks and his team are sent to the Antarctic to investigate an abandoned Nazi base, something evil is waiting.
This book is filled with action right out of the gate. I love stories that relate to WWII. And the science fiction aspect doesn’t hurt. Will Banks and his team reach their goal? You have to read to see.
Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
This book is filled with action right out of the gate. I love stories that relate to WWII. And the science fiction aspect doesn’t hurt. Will Banks and his team reach their goal? You have to read to see.
Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
June 13, 2018
Captain John Banks and his men are fresh off their encounter with underwater beasties off the Baffin Island coast. If they thought they'd seen everything on that mission, they won't believe their eyes on their next assignment. The Scottish solidiers are sent to investigate a forgotten Nazi outpost on Antarctica. What they find is more than old, frozen corpses and dusty swastika flags. Inside a long deserted hangar is the weapon the Nazis were working on. It's been sitting their dormant for almost 80 years just waiting for someone to turn it on.
Operation Antarctica is more of the same popcorn chomping kind of read that we got from Meikle in Infestation. John Banks's group are a fun group to root for. Lots of ball busting jokes mixed in with an Indiana Jones type of an adventure. He also lets his imagination go wild with a take on the Nazi folklore story of seceret aircraft in an Antarctic base. This is where Meikle shines the brightest. He's able to take a story that could've came across as silly nonsense or full of plot holes and expertly crafts it into a rip-roaring adventure that you can buy into. His third John Banks tale was released this week and I can't wait to dive into it.
4 1/2 Bloody Swastikas out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Operation Antarctica is more of the same popcorn chomping kind of read that we got from Meikle in Infestation. John Banks's group are a fun group to root for. Lots of ball busting jokes mixed in with an Indiana Jones type of an adventure. He also lets his imagination go wild with a take on the Nazi folklore story of seceret aircraft in an Antarctic base. This is where Meikle shines the brightest. He's able to take a story that could've came across as silly nonsense or full of plot holes and expertly crafts it into a rip-roaring adventure that you can buy into. His third John Banks tale was released this week and I can't wait to dive into it.
4 1/2 Bloody Swastikas out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
November 5, 2018
The S-Squad is back and they've been sent to Antarctica to investigate an old Nazi base. Of course, once they get there, they encounter more then they bargained for...
I enjoyed the first book more but this was still good. The ending was a little abrupt though.
The overall story was pretty creepy. I still shudder everytime I think about those reappearing Nazi soldiers.
I enjoyed the first book more but this was still good. The ending was a little abrupt though.
The overall story was pretty creepy. I still shudder everytime I think about those reappearing Nazi soldiers.
April 7, 2018
MY INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM MEIKLE HERE!
Nazis and demonic UFOs?? Why aren't you reading this?!
Nazis and demonic UFOs?? Why aren't you reading this?!
August 16, 2018
Another pretty darn good action horror thriller from William Meikle. This was my Aug KOLL, and for July I read
. They both feature Captain Banks and a squad of SAS soldiers. These are novellas really, not too long. Easy scary reads. In Infestation they take on giant sea creatures that destroy an oil platform and town way up in the Artic Circle. In Operation Antarctica they take on dead frozen Nazi's and a demon. Poor guys. Meikle has a 3rd book in this series:
which will be my Oct KOLL. I already have plans for my September KOLL:
Maybe some day the author will combine the 3 stories into one big collection.
. They both feature Captain Banks and a squad of SAS soldiers. These are novellas really, not too long. Easy scary reads. In Infestation they take on giant sea creatures that destroy an oil platform and town way up in the Artic Circle. In Operation Antarctica they take on dead frozen Nazi's and a demon. Poor guys. Meikle has a 3rd book in this series:
which will be my Oct KOLL. I already have plans for my September KOLL:
Maybe some day the author will combine the 3 stories into one big collection.
February 17, 2025
Das war eine reine Enttäuschung, vorallem im Vergleich zum ersten Band, der zumindest spaßige 3* bekommen hat.
Eigentlich klang es gut: Das S-Squad muss in die Antarktis zu einer alten Nazi-Station, von der gemunkelt wird, das dort die Reichsflugscheibe (ergo UFO) gebaut wurde. Ich wurde am Anfang auch nicht enttäuscht, als endlich Nazi-Eis-Zombies auftauchten, aber das war auch das tollste daran.
Alles andere war unglaublich langweilig - um die HIntergrundsstory von dem Okkulten Ufo Stuff zu erzählen, hat Meikle ein okkultes Tagebuch von Carnacki immer wieder in vollen Abschnitten dazwischen gefügt. Carnacki gab es als literarische Figur wirklich - ein okkulter Detektiv ala Sherlock Holmes - und offenbar ist Meikle Fan von ihm, denn er hat zu der Figur eigene Bücher geschrieben.
Hier war das aber völlig Fehl am Platz und hat mich echt genervt - vorallem weil die ganze Story eigentlich reines: Eiszombies sehen. Die Zeigen auf etwas. WEglaufen. Tagebuch lesen. Eiszombies sehen. WEglaufen. Tagebuch lesen. War. Das war der gesamte Handlungsstrang.
Und die Szenen haben sich auch so oft mit den gleichen Worten wiederholt - es war echt öde. Und die Zombies haben noch nichtmal wirklich was gemacht außer 2x wen getötet, und das auch noch extrem öde.
Kein toller Horror, kein toller Nazizombie, nüschtsch.
Da Band 1 aber unterhaltsam war, und es in Band 3 mit geklonten Mammuts weitergeht, hab ich die Serie noch nicht aufgegeben.
Eigentlich klang es gut: Das S-Squad muss in die Antarktis zu einer alten Nazi-Station, von der gemunkelt wird, das dort die Reichsflugscheibe (ergo UFO) gebaut wurde. Ich wurde am Anfang auch nicht enttäuscht, als endlich Nazi-Eis-Zombies auftauchten, aber das war auch das tollste daran.
Alles andere war unglaublich langweilig - um die HIntergrundsstory von dem Okkulten Ufo Stuff zu erzählen, hat Meikle ein okkultes Tagebuch von Carnacki immer wieder in vollen Abschnitten dazwischen gefügt. Carnacki gab es als literarische Figur wirklich - ein okkulter Detektiv ala Sherlock Holmes - und offenbar ist Meikle Fan von ihm, denn er hat zu der Figur eigene Bücher geschrieben.
Hier war das aber völlig Fehl am Platz und hat mich echt genervt - vorallem weil die ganze Story eigentlich reines: Eiszombies sehen. Die Zeigen auf etwas. WEglaufen. Tagebuch lesen. Eiszombies sehen. WEglaufen. Tagebuch lesen. War. Das war der gesamte Handlungsstrang.
Und die Szenen haben sich auch so oft mit den gleichen Worten wiederholt - es war echt öde. Und die Zombies haben noch nichtmal wirklich was gemacht außer 2x wen getötet, und das auch noch extrem öde.
Kein toller Horror, kein toller Nazizombie, nüschtsch.
Da Band 1 aber unterhaltsam war, und es in Band 3 mit geklonten Mammuts weitergeht, hab ich die Serie noch nicht aufgegeben.
December 11, 2024
The survivors of S Squad are joined by new recruits as they are sent to an underground complex in Antarctica which was used as a secret Nazi base during the war. The men are stunned to see that in the hanger is an alien ship with strange technology and by accident, the men awaken the dead soldiers from their slumber. These strange zombies have a mission to complete and they need the soldiers for it, but S Squad are determined to stop them at any cost as they await backup.
You have to feel sorry for S Squad being send to all these cold brutal environments where strange creatures are trying to kill them. This book has diary flashbacks to the start of the war, alien mind control and a form of mindless Nazi zombies. They are not your typical flesh eating zombies and are a lot harder to destroy as they reform once 'killed', which makes them pretty deadly. I did find the plot of this one a little repetitive as the soldiers seemed to do the same thing over and over-try to shoot their way out of the hanger, kill zombies, zombies reanimate, soldiers back into hanger, try to escape again and so on. The whole alien plot wasn't as interesting to me as the first book with the sea monsters and there were a lot of flashbacks with spells and demons. It was a decent enough plot but it didn't engage me in the way that the first book did. I will probably still read the other novellas at some point though.
update-read the book again and it didn't seem as repetitive this time. Must just have been my mood when reading it first time
You have to feel sorry for S Squad being send to all these cold brutal environments where strange creatures are trying to kill them. This book has diary flashbacks to the start of the war, alien mind control and a form of mindless Nazi zombies. They are not your typical flesh eating zombies and are a lot harder to destroy as they reform once 'killed', which makes them pretty deadly. I did find the plot of this one a little repetitive as the soldiers seemed to do the same thing over and over-try to shoot their way out of the hanger, kill zombies, zombies reanimate, soldiers back into hanger, try to escape again and so on. The whole alien plot wasn't as interesting to me as the first book with the sea monsters and there were a lot of flashbacks with spells and demons. It was a decent enough plot but it didn't engage me in the way that the first book did. I will probably still read the other novellas at some point though.
update-read the book again and it didn't seem as repetitive this time. Must just have been my mood when reading it first time
October 28, 2018
Captain John Banks and his S-Squad soldiers are sent to investigate an abandoned Nazi World War Two secret base in the frozen wastes of Antarctica. Once there they soon uncover a supernatural horror of the undead. From then onwards it’s a battle of wits and courage to survive the chilling horror that manages to mix the occult, Winston Churchill, Boys Own adventure and B-movie madness. Operation Antarctica is the second novel in the S-Squad series after Infestation and although I preferred the first novel I’d still recommend this book to any fan of William Meikle or anyone who wants a greedy slice of horror pulp fiction.
December 26, 2018
Another solid entry in the series
Not quite as good as the first in themselves but a great tale anyhow. Weirdness abounds as concerns this tale of frozen Nazi bases, unknown military projects, and supernatural horrors. All in all this onion has layers that lead to a really interesting culmination. The writing here is good as the first book was and I mowed through this book. Can't wait to get into book 3!
Not quite as good as the first in themselves but a great tale anyhow. Weirdness abounds as concerns this tale of frozen Nazi bases, unknown military projects, and supernatural horrors. All in all this onion has layers that lead to a really interesting culmination. The writing here is good as the first book was and I mowed through this book. Can't wait to get into book 3!
June 9, 2019
This series is scratching my itch for ridiculous sci-fi adventure. This one has Nazi ice zombies and UFOs. Next, please.
June 10, 2019
Another good romp.....really enjoyed it
September 10, 2018
My first book by William and I wasn’t disappointed.
I was taken with curiosity from the beginning and as the tale wove backwards and forwards I became more and more drawn in. In some ways the simplicity of the story was its genius for me although it’s was convoluted and contorted in such a way as to make bloody good reading!! I will definitely be reading more of William in the future. B x
I was taken with curiosity from the beginning and as the tale wove backwards and forwards I became more and more drawn in. In some ways the simplicity of the story was its genius for me although it’s was convoluted and contorted in such a way as to make bloody good reading!! I will definitely be reading more of William in the future. B x
April 7, 2018
A FINE TALE OF NAZIS, SPOOKABLES AND SOLDIERS IT IS.....
Hello, I really was happy to see the Blake and his team of special forces back in action. You can't help but like these fellas. The story was great and very different. Great job. Thanks.
Hello, I really was happy to see the Blake and his team of special forces back in action. You can't help but like these fellas. The story was great and very different. Great job. Thanks.
August 1, 2018
Whoa!
Wow, a lot of the occult and paranormal here, I'm not a big fan of the occult to this level, so I didn't enjoy it as much as Operation Siberia.
Wow, a lot of the occult and paranormal here, I'm not a big fan of the occult to this level, so I didn't enjoy it as much as Operation Siberia.
February 13, 2023
The second book in the S-Squad series, this time taking place in the Artic at a World War 2 Nazi Research Base. This book took me about an hour and a half to finish. It's a tad difficult for me to speak about the threats the squad faces in this book without spoiling anything so everything about that will be in the spoiler section.
Read
January 26, 2022Banks is back! In this mission, the squad head off to explore an old Antarctic base that was the site of a strange and secret Nazi project. The action is interspersed with substantial chunks of text from a journal found at the scene. So we learn the historical background (featuring Churchill and Carnacki) while the team are trying to cope with what they find. With that information it's no surprise (at least for the reader) that supernatural elements are involved.
Perhaps because of the split timeline, the pacing felt quite stop-start. As with the previous book, I didn't always remember which character was which. But still, a very readable adventure, and a nice-sized snack in between more substantial tomes.
Perhaps because of the split timeline, the pacing felt quite stop-start. As with the previous book, I didn't always remember which character was which. But still, a very readable adventure, and a nice-sized snack in between more substantial tomes.
January 9, 2021
Karl has it. The best of pulps, the worst of pulps! But fun! There is no rest for S-Squad as they return from a nightmare trip to Baffin Bay and are dispatched to Antarctica to investigate Nazi research laboratories.
What gives this story the O0mph which keeps making me come back for more is the sheer story telling, the winding in of characters and the plot enhancement. Enter Carnacki the Ghost Hunter and Winston Churchill, bring on the mysterious U-boat, drifting with a dead crew off the Dogger Bank. This is B movie, Horror flick at the Palais at it's best. For sheer fun, Mr Meikle is hard to beat and currently I am with S-Squad in the Congo. Read on.
What gives this story the O0mph which keeps making me come back for more is the sheer story telling, the winding in of characters and the plot enhancement. Enter Carnacki the Ghost Hunter and Winston Churchill, bring on the mysterious U-boat, drifting with a dead crew off the Dogger Bank. This is B movie, Horror flick at the Palais at it's best. For sheer fun, Mr Meikle is hard to beat and currently I am with S-Squad in the Congo. Read on.
May 26, 2021
This is the second book of the S-Squad series. The author maintains his usual quality. I did not any typographical or grammatical errors.
This is an action, military / occult series. Based on that, character development on the lines of a character sketch (of the Captain - the story is told from his POV), not a full development, even though this is the second in the series.
The remaining S-Squad members are back, at least, though who lived through book 1. I'm going to keep this as a short review. If you enjoyed the first book, Infestation, then you'll certainly enjoy this one. I found it enjoyable enough that I will be moving with the series.
This is an action, military / occult series. Based on that, character development on the lines of a character sketch (of the Captain - the story is told from his POV), not a full development, even though this is the second in the series.
The remaining S-Squad members are back, at least, though who lived through book 1. I'm going to keep this as a short review. If you enjoyed the first book, Infestation, then you'll certainly enjoy this one. I found it enjoyable enough that I will be moving with the series.
July 9, 2022
The second in the S-Squad series, I wasn’t as enamoured by this as much as I was with the first, although I still enjoyed it. Some interesting points are a complete Thomas Carnacki story in the middle (related through a found journal), an excerpt from another, and a reference to the Cthulhu Mythos. As others have noted, there’s not much in the way of characterisation, and some parts - especially later on - can be a little repetitive, but still an enjoyable enough read.
May 7, 2023
Even Better Than Book One!!
Wow! This second book was just amazing! Rarely is book 2 better than the original but in this case it is! Tons of weird stuff that keeps the suspense level high. I never knew what was going to happen next. A big UFO, Nazis, supernatural stuff, lots of action and gun fights - not that guns are very effective against the supernatural. But this story is loads of fun and very entertaining. Fun to read.
Wow! This second book was just amazing! Rarely is book 2 better than the original but in this case it is! Tons of weird stuff that keeps the suspense level high. I never knew what was going to happen next. A big UFO, Nazis, supernatural stuff, lots of action and gun fights - not that guns are very effective against the supernatural. But this story is loads of fun and very entertaining. Fun to read.
October 4, 2020
Captain John Banks and his team head to Antarctica to investigate a derelict Nazi base. A simple in and out of a deserted base, things are never that easy!! Good book as Banks confronts demons and the reanimated dead and a strange UFO.
August 12, 2021
CARTOONS
Cartoonish characters, so bad that even move like robots. The characters are bad the story awful.
A stoty so stoned that you want to close the book and forget it. Banks and his soldiers are cartoonish and unpleasant not even military enough. Can't recommend this.
Cartoonish characters, so bad that even move like robots. The characters are bad the story awful.
A stoty so stoned that you want to close the book and forget it. Banks and his soldiers are cartoonish and unpleasant not even military enough. Can't recommend this.
December 11, 2021
Great story
Never thought I would like this reading this kind of book, but I have enjoyed reading this. The macabre has always been hard for me to read but I enjoyed this so much that I am recommending to add it to your library.
Never thought I would like this reading this kind of book, but I have enjoyed reading this. The macabre has always been hard for me to read but I enjoyed this so much that I am recommending to add it to your library.
May 24, 2022
Keep them coming
More cheesy scifi horror and I'm here for it. A dead body that isn't there when you go back to move it is always a class way to usher in the creeps as far as I'm concerned.
More cheesy scifi horror and I'm here for it. A dead body that isn't there when you go back to move it is always a class way to usher in the creeps as far as I'm concerned.
January 2, 2023
I usually like William Meikle's stories. But this S-Squad adventure unfortunately didn't convince me. Over long stretches too little happened and the resolution was a bit too abstruse for me, the action predictable.
June 26, 2023
Baby, it's cold outside
Second in the so squad series, Operation Antarctica is a fast paced action adventure with Nazi ice zombies, a f lying saucer,magic and Winston Churchill. Talk about a quick fun read if you enjoy this kind of novel. Looking forward to the next one.
Second in the so squad series, Operation Antarctica is a fast paced action adventure with Nazi ice zombies, a f lying saucer,magic and Winston Churchill. Talk about a quick fun read if you enjoy this kind of novel. Looking forward to the next one.
June 3, 2025
What-a story.
Exciting. Great grammar a surprising book of things that have not happened yet. I think.
I was feeling a little upset about the premise of the story but I feel I will get over it after I read it all.
Exciting. Great grammar a surprising book of things that have not happened yet. I think.
I was feeling a little upset about the premise of the story but I feel I will get over it after I read it all.
November 20, 2020
Nazi Ice Zombies!!!!!
What are you waiting for, devour this book!!!!! No pun intended...Nazi Ice Zombies, one more time...Nazi Ice Zombies...and demons too.
What are you waiting for, devour this book!!!!! No pun intended...Nazi Ice Zombies, one more time...Nazi Ice Zombies...and demons too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews