Suez 6th Nov 1956

[JR]

A time for reflection.

On the dawn of the 6th November 1956,49 years ago (Phew) the biggest amphibious assault by Royal Marines since WWII was launched upon the beaches of Port Said.Royal Marines of 40 Commando and 42 Commando landed on the beaches the first wave consisted of elderly WWII amphibious buffaloes (LVT's) launched from the LCT's HMS Striker and Reggio each buffalo was packed with 30 Green Bereted Marines to secure the beachhead,the 2nd wave consisted of LCA's carrying the remainder of the two units.4O Commandos objective was to secure the port area and harbour,also the Navy House HQ,42 Commando was to move into the town and secure important Government buildings.The Port area was secured within a matter of hours,Navy house HQ fell to X Troop after heavy fighting it was Xtroop who Hoisted HMS Reggio's White Ensign over Navy house.Meanwhile 42 Commando was meeting heavy opposition in the main Government buildings.45 Commando waiting offshore on their Carriers HMS Ocean and Theseus were ordered ashore to make the first ever opposed Helicopter assault the first wave, landing at about 0815 hrs and in just over an hour the men of 45 Commando landed with all their equipment.
Port Said was a classic seaborne assault and street and building clearing operation.
Just a point of interest the CGRM General Sir Campbell Hardy allthough not in operational command had flown out from the UK to join his men in the assault landed from a LCA and went in with his Marines.
The first night ashore with 40 Commando was spent in a Bonded Warehouse at the docks (good move Royal Hic),also of interest the smallest vessel to take part in the assault was ML 2583 (landing craft navigational leader) manned entirely by a Royal Marine Crew.
And Suez was the last time that a Royal Marines 6 inch guns crew went into action aboard HMS Newfoundland in the only ship to ship action during the campaign against a 'Gyppo' Destroyer in the Red Sea.

A thoght for all those who did not return.At the going down of the Sun and in the Morning we will remember them. Aye JR

[Sticky Blue]

I'll raise a glass to those who didn't come back with you JR...


An hour to get a unit and its kit off by helo, now that is going some!

[John_D]

"WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"


Aye

John_D

[Guest]

If I may,
I'll join you gents in a toast tonight to those brave blokes.....one and all.

Laterz
Loz
x

[JR]

Sorry about my earlier post, It should have read 47 years ago,allthough it only seems like yesterday,Old age must be creeping up on me Fast and the brain is not so nimble.Aye JR

[adj125]

and lets not forget the members of 3 para

By 30 October, the 3rd Battalion, of the Parachute Regiment, in Cyprus, was starting to prepare for an "airborne exercise." On 3 November they got their orders for Operation Musketeer, an invasion of Port Said set for 6 November. The jump was moved forward by 24 hours leaving the naval support, sailing from Malta, out of range for the first day of the invasion. The aircraft used were Valettas carrying twenty jumpers and Hastings carrying thirty. At 0300hr they boarded the planes for the jump that was to take place just after dawn. Many men slept on the planes. On 5 November, 1956, 3 Para jumped from six hundred feet onto the El Gamil Airfield. P-Hr (parachute hour) was 0515. The winds were almost zero. Their Intelligence told them they would be outnumbered five to one. The Egyptians had an armoured division in the desert to the south of the town and a battalion group surrounding the airfield. The orders called for "A" Coy to capture the control tower buildings and then secure a bridge at the west end of the field. Before take-off aerial photos showed the bridge had already been destroyed. "B" Coy was to capture the buildings at the east end of the airfield. Many members of "B" Coy landed right on the Egyptian position and were engaged in immediate hand to hand combat. "B" Coy lost five to ten percent of their men within seconds. The British method of packing their weapons in Sims containers caused great difficulty for those who found themselves under fire even before they landed. The north and south side of the airfield were bounded by water "C" Coy was to act as a reserve force and assist in capturing the buildings. The Paras captured the airfield in about forty five minutes and had it ready to use by noon. Unfortunately the runways were too short for the British transport planes so all their reinforcements and supplies had to be parachuted in.

[JR]

adj125,I only posted the RM side of the conflict because being a Marine at the time of the operation I only saw 'Royals' side of the picture.We all know that the operation was multi service,therefore cannot remark on what others regiments did.And I do agree all should be remembered,Per Mare Per Terram.Aye JR.1947 to 1972

[Rotary Booty]

In memory of my 645 Squad oppo, our 3rd Diamond, Dave Howard, who was serving in 42 Commando. A future SNCO if ever there was one. I believe Dave was the only member of our squad to be killed on active service, although Mne Brown was severely wounded, also at Suez. We had only just passed for duty, in June 1956.
Never forgotten. Aye, Derek

[Tab]

I have posted about 40 photo's of the Suez invasion on the british small-wars site. The include picture of French Battleships, LCT, and british war ships, the helicopters going in. The Block ships in the Canal and the smoke
from the battles also many of the weapons that we captured. AS my mate Dave had the baulk of the photo's they are in his name and he fought with the airborne artillery 33 Battery.

[Chameleon]

Only just spotted this one. Yes, Dave Howard was a great guy. He was in Y Troop 42 Cdo. The other one lost from the troop was Brian Short.
Y Troop landed from LCAs on the right flank. My impression was that the beach in that area, had not been secured. 42 lost 4 other men that day. Two marines and two soldiers. As the soldiers were under direct command, their names are included on the 42 unit memorial at Bickleigh. One was RAC and the other DLI.