Figure 1.--Here Egyptian refugees fleet Port Said. The press caption read, "An Egyptian mother clutches her child as she and other refugees escape Port Said, Egypt, during the recent Anglo-French invasion. In the background is another boat loaded with refugees. The boats were headed for Mariata, across Lake Manzala, which is a five-hour trip. In London the Egyptian invasion was described as 'a bloody good exercise.' Defense Minister Anthony Head said British casualties 'did not exceed 85, of whom not more than 20 were killed.' But he Egyptian casualty report was quite different. Estimated Egyptian dead in two days of fighting at Port Said: 500."

The initial Israeli action was more like a raid than an invasion, but soon developed into a major action. The British and French delivered an ultimatum to Egypt and Israel the same day the Israelis launched their offensive (October 28). This was before the Israelis were anywhere close to the Canal. The coincidence of course raised the possibility of collusion. When the Egyptians failed to accept the British-French demands, the British and French acted without informing the Americans (October 30). The British and French attacked Egyptian airfields and other facilities, largely destroying the Egyptian Air Force. RAF and French Air Force bombers based in Malta and Cyprus, aided by planes from the Combined Anglo-French Fleet’s five carriers hammered Egyptian airfields. They destroyed Egyptian aircraft on the ground, bled gaping holes in the runways and bombed and strafed the hangers. In less than two days, the Egyptian air force was shattered. The British and French than targeted military targets in Port Said. Military commanders decided that the airborne landings could go forward (November 4). British and French forces seized Port Said and Port Fuad at both ends of the Canal (November 5-6). French forces deployed from Cyprus landed at Port Fuad and advanced south along the banks of the Suez Canal. The British Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade deployed by naval helicopter attacked Port Said. They fought a sharp action at Gamil airfield. Sir Charles Keightley, the allied commander-in-chief described 'some very tough fighting' with Egyptian troops armed with guns, mortars and tanks. The Egyptians responded by sinking ships, effectively closing the Canal. There was fighting in the two ports. The British and French quickly accomplished their goal of seizing the Canal (November 2). About 2,700 Egyptian civilians and soldiers were killed or wounded at Port Said. The British and French took control of the area around the Suez Canal.

October 26

The initial Israeli action was more like a raid than an invasion, but soon developed into a major action.

October 28

The British and French delivered an ultimatum to Egypt and Israel the same day the Israelis launched their major offensive (October 28). This was before the Israelis were anywhere close to the Canal. The coincidence of course raised the possibility of collusion.

October 30

When the Egyptians failed to accept the British-French demands, the British and French acted without informing the Americans (October 30). The British and French attacked Egyptian airfields and other facilities, largely destroying the Egyptian Air Force. RAF and French Air Force bombers based in Malta and Cyprus, aided by planes from the Combined Anglo-French Fleet’s five carriers hammered Egyptian airfields. They destroyed Egyptian aircraft on the ground, bled gaping holes in the runways and bombed and strafed the hangers. In less than two days, the Egyptian air force was shattered. The British and French than targeted military targets in Port Said.

November 2

The United Nations General Assembly of the voted an immediate cease fire (November 2). Only Australia and New Zealand supported. Complicatin the matter for Briain and France, Israel, which had taken much of the Siani and Egypt which had suffered substantial losses, agreed to end the fighting. No one had expected the IDF to achieve such a tunning victory so quickly against a large, well-armed Egyptian Army. Britain and France now had to act immediately if they were going to 'separating the combatants' as they had decalred their objective to be and seize the Canal. They thus moved up the schedule for the airborn assault. This left the Paras dangerously exposed. It would be 24 hours before the armored units sailing from Malta reached Egypt.

November 3

British Prineminister Anthony Eden addressed the British public (November 3). He was not in good health. His taff was worried about him. None other than David Attenborough directed the broacast. Attenborough later said, “He looked dreadful, very ill.” Eden at an early point in the address told the Brotish public, “All my life I have been a man of peace…. I still have the same devotion to peace.” He insisted, however, that now was the right time to stand firm and that action was required to take back the vital Suez Canal. Back in Egypt, Nasser ordered that rifles be issued to a militia oulled togetger at the last minite to support the embattled Army. The Army High command began to prepare for a a full-scale Anglo-French invasion.

November 4

The opposition Labour Party organized a huge demonstration in London to oppose the military build-up. Big banners demanded “Law Not War”. The demonstration centered on Trafalgar Square. The main speaker was Aneurin Bevan. He as primeminister help found the National Health Service. He told the supportive crowd about Eden, "If he is sincere in what he is saying, then he is too stupid to be Prime Minister.” President Nasser back in Cairo was shown press photos of the demonstration. He turned to an aide, “Eden is weak, weak in character.” The demonstration in London turned combative and the police had to called out maintain order near 10, Downing Street. Atbthe same time, military commanders decided that the airborne landings could go forward (November 4). Theoretically it was a relatively simple task. The Israelis tied up much of the Egyptian Army in the Sinai.

November 5

The British struck on of all days Gunpowder Plot/Guy Faulkes Day. The 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (3 Para) took off to assualt El Gamil airfield, a key objective located just west of Port Said. The first men dropped at the airfield (0500). A force of 668 paratroopers hit El Gamil. The paratroopers encountere a mixed force composed of civilians and Egyptian Army soldiers. The British 3 Para captured El Gamil after 2 hours of intense combat. At El Gamil, the Egyptian resistance was heavier than expected. As a result, 3 Para took more casualties than had been forseen. From El Gamil, 3 Para moved on Port Said itself at the mouth of the Suez Canal. The Royal Air Force provided some close air support. The fiercest resistance occurred at a cemetery just outside Port Said. The British Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade deployed by naval helicopter attacked Port Said. They fought a sharp action at Gamil airfield. Sir Charles Keightley, the allied commander-in-chief described 'some very tough fighting' with Egyptian troops armed with guns, mortars and tanks. French paratroopers with British support deployed from Cyprus and seized two vital bridges (0500). And then moved on to Port Fuad to the west of Port Said. This have the allies possession of the northern end of the Canal, but the Paras were lightly armed. The Egyptians stung byb the unfolding disaster in the sianai did not counter attack in force. They did respond by sinking ships, effectively closing the Canal.

November 6

The British and French quickly accomplished their goal of seizing the Canal. The British and French began taking control of the area around the Suez Canal. With the Paras securing the port area, British sea borne reinforcements poured into Port Said from Malta. This has been described as the last fling of Empire. The sea landings took place in support of the lightlynarmed Paras. The Royal Navy ships began pound known defences positions in Port Said landing area (0400). Then 40 and 42 Commandos, Royal Marines, started their landing operation (0445) while 45 Commando went in on helicopters. The difficult task of taking the urban areas began. The British in the evening, while the battle in the cities was still underway, organized a column of tanks and paratroopers to race south towards Suez. Alread hammered ny the Isrealis, the Egyptians were expected to surrender in short order. Britain and France were, however, met with an intense chorus of disapproval by virtually the entire world, including their American ally. President Eisenhower, who Eden had thought would support Britain, publically and very sharply criticised te action. The Soviets even threatened a missle strike. The U.N. Security Council members demanded a a cease fire, but Britain and France vetoed the resolution, twice. Meanwhile the pound plummeted on international currency exchanges. Arab countries in the years befiore North Sea oil closed the oil taps to support Egypt. Britain did not have the dollars needed to buy American oil. President Eisenhower refused American credit unless Britain ordered a cease fire by midnight that night and agreed to quit Egypt completely. Primeminister Eden had no choice but to give in to the inevitable. The armored force racing down the Canal Road was ordered to halt at El Cap, only a a quarter of the way to Suez.

Aftermath

The United Nations organized an Emergency Force to police the cease fire and withdrawal. The Egyptians were left in control of the Canal. The Isrealis withdrew from the Sianai, but the Egyptians ended their naval blockade of Elat.

Casualties

About 2,700 Egyptian civilians and soldiers were killed or wounded at Port Said.

Created: 5:58 AM 12/15/2013
Spell checked: 8:14 PM 12/15/2013
Last updated: 8:14 PM 12/15/2013