Operation Musketeer
The
post war strain on Anglo-Egyptian relations came to a head on 26th July
1956 when President Nassar announced the nationalization of the Anglo-French
Suez Canal Co. The last British troops had left the area earlier that month
because the Egyptians had made it impossible for the base to function effectively,
which caused the British government to withhold new aircraft and equipment
for the Egyptian forces. The Egyptians consequently went to the Eastern
bloc for their needs which caused the Western powers to withdraw their
support from Egypt's Aswan high dam project. This resulted in Egypt taking
over the Canal.
Britain
and France reacted to this threat, which could cut off their remaining
Far East colonies, strongly despite US opposition to an invasion. British
civilians were evacuated from Egypt and the reservists were called up.
The newly formed Israel joined the Anglo-French alliance. On 31st October,
H.M.S. Eagle, Albion and Bulwark left Malta with the Helicopter Carriers
H.M.S. Ocean and Theseus. At 4.44am Transport command dropped six
hundred men of 3 Para on Gamil airfield in Egypt. British troops had been
committed to the Suez Crisis.
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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