February 15, 1953: British forces landed on Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) and destroyed the Argentine Refuge, Lieutenant Lasala (picture attached), as well as a nearby Chilean Refuge. They even demanded passports and visas to remain in what they considered “British Territory.”
The Argentines rejected this demand, reaffirming that they were on Argentine territory. The destruction of the buildings, including the removal of national symbols, prompted a strong diplomatic protest.
Argentina had inaugurated that Refuge less than a month earlier (on January 17, 1953) at coordinates 62° 56′ South and 60° 36′ West. An Argentine Navy officer, two non-commissioned officers, and a geologist participated in that Antarctic campaign.
The episode was a tense precedent in the region before the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, which established the peaceful use of the Continent.