The Suez Crisis 1956

by VARBLE, DEREK

• ISBN13: 9781841764184
• ISBN10: 1841764183
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-03-11
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

In July 1956 Egyptian President Gamal Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, causing immediate concern to Britain and France. They already opposed Nasser and were worried at the threat to maritime traffic in the Canal. This book traces the course of subsequent events. Together with Israel, Britain and France hatched a plot to occupy the Canal Zone and overthrow Nasser. Israel attacked Sinai, and Britain and France launched offensives throughout Egypt, but strategic failures overshasdowed tactical success. Finally, Britain, France and Israel bowed to international pressure and withdrew, leaving the Suez Canal, and Egypt, firmly in the hands of President Nasser.

Author Biography

Derek Varble read Modern History at Oriel College, Oxford, receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 2000. His thesis analyzed Anglo-American Cold War strategy in the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf. He also has degrees from George Washington University (Master of Arts, 1995) and the United States Air Force Academy (Bachelor of Science, 1992). His research interests include the Presidencies of Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, and Jimmy Carter, and Arab nationalism in the twentieth century. He and his wife Amy live in southern California.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(2)
Chronology	9	(2)
Background to war The Suez Crisis and its military implications	11	(4)
Warring sides Diversity in capabilities, doctrine, and leadership	15	(6)
Outbreak Britain, France and Israel contemplate forceful resolution	21	(7)
The fighting Crisis becomes war	28	(45)
Portrait of a soldier Israeli commandos	73	(4)
How the war ended Britain and France abandon Revise	77	(8)
Portrait of a civilian Destruction in Egypt and Gaza	85	(6)
Conclusions and consequences A transitional conflict	91	(2)
Further reading	93	(1)
Index	94