The Invasion of Suez
On
31st October, with RAF aircraft already pounding Egypt, A Royal Navy Task
Force left Malta comprised of H.M.S. Eagle, H.M.S. Albion and H.M.S. Bulwark
carrying Fleet Air Arm aircraft and H.M.S. Ocean and H.M.S. Thesues carrying
helicopters and troops bound for the beaches. The LST Lofoten, with men
and equipment of No.45 Commando onboard, also accompanied the fleet with
its escort of destroyers and frigates. Meanwhile, the cruiser H.M.S.
Newfoundland encountered an unknown contact while on patrol at the
southern end of the canal zone. The target, on being challenged, opened
fire on the cruiser causing minor damage. The Newfoundland replied with
her 6 inch guns and sunk the Egyptian frigate Domiat after six minutes,
69 of her crew being rescued.
At
4.44am on 5th November, six hundred men of 3 Para were
dropped from RAF Hasting and Valetta aircraft onto El Gamil airfield.
They soon secured the airfield againstlittle opposition and achieved all
their objectives during the day, and were reinforced when another drop
of 100 men and equipment was made in the afternoon.
The
Seaborne
landings the following morning were at Port Said and the French held
Port Fuad. Nos. 40 and 42 commando made an assault landing in LVTs (Landing
Vehicle Tracked) supported by a number of centurion tanks. No.45 Commando
was flown ashore by Six Whirlwinds and Six Sycamore helicopters from H.M.S.
Ocean and Whirlwinds from H.M.S. Theseus, landing virtually unopposed,
although a few pockets of determined resistance were dealt with by the
Close Air Support which was always present.
By
the end of the day, the Allied forces had consolidated their positions
and were confident that the Suez canal would be in their hands within the
next 24 hours. During the night the first LSTs berthed at Port Said and
began unloading their Centurion tanks . At that point, the Allies were
forced to withdraw under pressure from the United Nations and Russia. A
Ceasefire coming into effect at 2345 on 6th November. The troops began
to evacuate on 7th December and the last troops left on 22nd December.
Please note that we have only touched the surface of the Suez invasion and will be adding more information to this site as time permits and we welcome any corrections to the above.
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