HMS Ocean and Theseus carried 45 Commando in the first airborne helicopter assault over the beaches of Port Said.3rd commando brigade Royal Marines were landed by LST/LCT.
RN aircraft and helicopters flew about 2.000 sorties.45 commando was put ashore in Whirlwind and Sycamore helicopters within 90 minutes.
The Ramps went down on the beaches of Port Said at about 0445 hrs on the 6th of November.Aye jr
Here's to those that did'nt make it back we will remember them.
Who needs the World as your Oyster,When you've had the world as your cap Badge
Here's to those that did'nt make it back we will remember them.
We remembered them today Jim at our Memorial Service in Freo. This being the Anniversary, the names of those lads who were killed were read out prior to the Last Post
40 Commando
Ply/x Sgt Donald Dennis
RM13145 Marine David Howard
RM 11202 Marine BJ Price
RM 11158 Marine Brian J Short
X22206056 Sgt B Kislo Royal Armoured Corps
222752067 Cpl G Crawford 1st Somerset Light Infantry
Cheers Bert.........Just another reminder of the day....
X Troop 40 Commando raising the White Ensign following the Capture of the Gypo Navy house,HMS Regio's White Ensign.Aye
Who needs the World as your Oyster,When you've had the world as your cap Badge
They look like they were having a good day mate
It was all going so well, till Elmer got the hump
Young lad with all the scaley kit would never make a prop btw, but I`d give him a go out on the wing
Was it Zulu in the first wave Jim? The locals wouldnt be best pleased
H.M.S. Jamaica
Colony class six-inch cruiser
By James Robinson
ex Royal Marine 1947 to 1971
as relayed to him by his brother in-law
who served aboard Jamaica as part of the RM. contingent
As early as 0400 hrs on the morning of the landing, Jamaica, Dutchess, Diamond and Decoy, steamed ahead of the landing craft, taking up station in line, Jamaica leading. The bombardment warships began their measured approach to the beaches of Port Said. By first light on a clear morning, the hostile coastline of Port Said appeared. The marines on the 4 inch gun mounting looked up at the fore-mast, as the brand new battle ensign was hoisted. Jamaica, gently steaming straight for the beaches, began a slow turn to port. The range was no more than one and a half to two miles.
Tension was building, as the cruiser had still not opened fire, "why haven't the 6 inch opened fire", one of the Marines asked, "the gunnery officer must have lost his matches", the Marine sergeant answered, with a wry smile.
Once Jamaica had completed a ninety degree turn, Dutchess, Diamond, and Decoy, steamed past her stern, closing the range to what seemed less than a mile, they also turned to port to lie stopped, parallel to the shore line. Eighteen 4.5 inch guns began a systematic, and deadly, bombardment of the landing area. During the bombardment, the tanoy system on-board Jamaica gave an explanation as to why the cruiser had not opened fire, "We have received orders from very high up, that no large caliber guns are to be used, the reasoning is to keep Egyptian casualties to a minimum". The news was greeted, throughout the ship, with derision, and fury.
"It's all right for those stupid politicians in bloody London, but what about our lads standing by to go ashore"? fumed one of the marines, "so what's a few dead Royal Marines as long as you don't hurt any Arabs or bust a few windows".
"That's the trouble with modern warfare", said one of the Marines with contempt. But what really upset the marines, was not being able to support their mates ashore, The ships tanoy announced, "the helicopters you can see overhead are from the carriers 'Ocean' and Theseus', They are ferrying ashore men of 45 Royal Marine Commando. You are witnessing Naval History in the making. This is the first time helicopters have been use in an opposed landing".
Dave Howard of 645 Squad, while serving with 42 Commando RM. I reckon his number was RM 15145 Harry as all our Squad's numbers were 151**.
Dave was a Squad 'Diamond', and was killed 5 months after we passed out King's Squad at Eastney. We drank a special toast to him at our Squad's 50th Anniversary Reunion in September this year.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the suez landings and the BBC are currently carrying out research fo a major documentary series about the Suez Crisis to coincide with the 50th anniversary.
Now the crunch being the assistant Producer BBC televsion (no names no pack drill) has sent me a letter via the Royal Marines Association requesting a quick chat about my recollections of that time.
If I remember rightly the last documentry put out by the BBC about the Suez landings didn't go down to well with the Suez Vets,the BBC called it a fiasco, yes it was a fiasco a political fiasco and as far as the lads were concerned it was brilliant success with Port Said being taken within 48 hours,so I shal be informing the Assistant Producer of the 3 one-hour documentaries to take his mike and shove it where the sun dont shine.
Down Ramp Out Troops.Aye JR. Now going back into hibernation.
Who needs the World as your Oyster,When you've had the world as your cap Badge
On this day 6th November 1956 Operation Musketeer
