| Deception Island incident | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United Kingdom |  Argentina Chile | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Maj. Edwards | Lt. Chihigaren | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 35 Royal Marines HMSSnipe | 2 Argentine sailors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| none | 2 prisoners 2Antarctic bases destroyed | ||||||
The Deception Island incident took place in February 1953 when a group of British Royal Marines landed onDeception Island in Antarctica, took two Argentine sailors prisoner and destroyed both an Argentine Navy's base and nearby Chilean base.
In 1943, the United Kingdom launchedOperation Tabarin, with the goal of asserting its claim to a portion of Antarctica, which was also claimed by both Argentina and Chile. For the next few years, British warships would patrol the region, destroying Argentine and Chilean sovereignty markers. As part of this operation, British forces built a base on Whalers Bay, Deception Island, calledStation B (62° 59′ S, 60° 34′ W)[1][2] The island was considered to be of strategic importance due to its naturally protected deep water harbor.[3] Despite these efforts, both South American countries continued to expand their presence in Antarctica, building more bases and installing new sovereignty markers.[2][4] In early 1948, the Argentine Navy established a permanent base on the island, close to Fumarole Bay (which they calledPrimero de Mayo Bay) calledDeception Station, garrisoned by ten men.[2] They also built smaller shelters and depots in Telefon Bay and Pendulum Cove.[5]
As part of its summer campaign of 1952-53, the Argentine Navy dispatched several ships to Antarctica to rotate garrisons, resupply and repair their bases, and begin the construction of a new facility in Deception Island to perform scientific work.[5]
On 13 January 1953, Argentine transport ship ARABahia Aguirre tried to enter Whalers Bay to unload men and supplies in order to build the new facility, but the bay was blocked by large chunks of ice; personnel and materials had to be transferred to the much smaller trawler ARAChiriguano, which took over the operation. Construction began on 14 January.[6] The site was located roughly 365 meters (1200 ft) from the BritishStation B[7] and adjacent to a runway that the British garrison used to launch reconnaissance flights.[3] Part of the runway was also used as a football field.[6]
British personnel inStation B noticed the construction and Base Leader W. Clarke delivered a note of protest later that day, claiming the island was British territory. The Argentines replied with a note of protest of their own.[5] ARAChiriguano left Deception Island on the 16th to assist ARASanavirón (also a trawler) which was trying to return toUshuaia at 2 knots after three of its propeller blades suffered damage hitting a chunk of ice in the vicinity of Hope Bay, 186km (115 miles) from Deception Island.[5] Construction finished on the 17th, and the base was inaugurated early on the 18th by Captain Rodolfo N. Panzarini, commander of the Argentine Navy's Antarctic Task Force. The base was named "Teniente Cándido de Lasala"[2] after a Navy officer who died in theBritish invasions of the River Plate.[8][9] It would be garrisoned by four men- one officer (Lieutenant Jorge D. Chihigaren)[5] two sailors (Corporals Acosta and Blázquez) and one scientist (Geologist Luis Vullo).[6] ARABahia Aguirre left Deception Island on the 19th to help trawl theSanavirón. On the same day, BritishfrigateHMS Snipe (U20) arrived to Whalers Bay and delivered a new note of protest to the base, claiming that the Argentines were trespassing on British territory. In response, tanker ARAPunta Ninfas (which had been assisting theSanavirón) sailed to the island and delivered a response to theSnipe, claiming that it was the British who were trespassing.[10] On 23 January, Chilean shipsLientur andLeucotón moored close by and began building their own base 200 meters (660 ft) west of the Lasala installation. They left on 7 February.[2][10]
On 30 January, the British Colonial Office sent a telegram to theFalkland Islands administration, saying: "Latest Argentinian and Chilean landings in Deception Island appear to be deliberately provocative, and ones we should not tolerate." and plans were made to send troops to the island. No warning was given to the Argentine and Chilean governments to safeguard the element of surprise.[11] On 15 February at 14:05, thirty-fiveRoyal Marines under the command of Major C. Edwards[6] landed on the island from HMSSnipe.[4] The marines were equipped withSten guns, rifles, bayonets andtear gas.[11] They surrounded the Lasala base and took Acosta and Blázquez prisoner; the Argentine flag was lowered and seized, along with weapons, ammunition, documentation and Vullo's scientific equipment. Lt. Chihigaren and Vullo were in Deception Station, taking inventory of some construction materials.[6] Before leaving, the marines set both the Argentine and the Chilean bases on fire. Chilean personnel were not present at the time.[4] The next morning, Lt. Chihigaren returned from Deception station and found his base destroyed.[2] He then walked to Station B to find out what had happened and was told by Clarke that his men had been taken toSouth Georgia. He returned to Deception Station and reported what had happened.[5][6]
Transport shipARA Bahía Buen Suceso along withARA Chiriguano andARA Sanavirón (repaired on February 9th)[5] were immediately ordered to sail towards Deception Island.[10] ARABahía Aguirre was sent to reinforce Half-Moon Island, 50km (31 miles) from Deception Island; the Argentine Navy was building a base there (Cámara Base) and believed HMSSnipe could be heading there to attack it.[10] The Navy tried to launch reconnaissance flights from Deception Station using twoGrumman G-21 Goose flying boats, but bad weather made it impossible.[6] Argentine bases in Antarctica received orders via radio to not surrender if attacked. InPort Belgrano Naval Base, the Argentine Navy began to increase its state of readiness in preparation for a broader conflict, but the Chiefs of Staff announced that a decision had been made to resolve the incident diplomatically.[4] Lt. Chihigaren and Captain Panzarini were ordered to deliver a note of protest to Station B, which was received by Clarke and Maj. Edwards.[5] On 18 February, HMSSnipe released Acosta and Blázquez inGrytviken, where they were picked up by Argentine tankerQuilmes. HMSSnipe then sailed back to Deception.[6]
Argentine PresidentJuan Perón was visiting Chile when news of the attack reached the continent. Together with Chilean PresidentCarlos Ibáñez del Campo, they issued a strong protest to the British embassy, demanding an apology, and discussed a possible joint response. The Chilean Foreign Minister insisted on sending ships to Deception Island, and resigned when Ibáñez del Campo ultimately decided not to, calling it a "cowardly" decision.[3]Avro Lincoln bomber aircraft of theArgentinean Air Force overflew Deception Island on 25 February; two days later, tensions reached their peak when warning shots were fired atARA Chiriguano.HMS Bigbury Bay arrived to Whalers Bay on 16 March, reinforcing HMSSnipe.[6]
Major Edwards and the Royal Marines left the island aboard the HMSBigbury Bay on April 16. Their mission was considered a success, and they were congratulated by Sir Anthony Eden.[11] Plans to set up a permanent detachment of 12 Royal Marines in Deception Island were shelved to prevent an escalation.[12] The Argentine Navy re-inaugurated the Lasala base on December 30, during their 1953-1954 summer campaign. It was used by theNaval Hydrographic Service for a few years before being abandoned. A volcanic eruption destroyed it in 1967.[13][14] The Chilean base was rebuilt in 1954.[10]
The United Kingdom eventually returned the items and weapons taken from the Lasala base.[6] The flag is now exhibited at the William Brown naval museum in Buenos Aires.[15]
The island, like the rest of Antarctica, is currently administered under theAntarctic Treaty System, pausing all territorial claims.