The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) celebrated 60 years of scientific research in Antarctica as the UK’s national operator. BAS evolved from the Falkland Islands Dependency Survey (FIDS), following on the success of Operation Tabarin 1943/46 involving SS Fitzroy from the Falkland Islands. This week's event took place during the marking of Antarctica Day on December first.
Winston Churchill dispatched 1,700 troops to the Falkland Islands in 1942 out of concern that the Japanese were planning to invade the territory and interfere with critical sea routes in the South Atlantic. In support of this plan Tokyo allegedly was prepared to hand control of the Falklands to Argentina, according to a piece in the Daily Telegraph, credited to Julian Ryall, from the Japanese capital.
The United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) marked the 70th anniversary of Operation Tabarin, which laid the foundations for one of the most important and enduring government sponsored programs of scientific research in the Polar Regions, with a special exhibition and reception at the House of Commons.
According to the Sunday Express wartime prime minister Winston Churchill feared the opening of a new front in the Falkland Islands and was so concerned about the matter that he sent about 1.000 soldiers to protect the Islands and ensure Britain would not have to retake them.