Suez Crisis 1956 - Help Required

[Grimjack]

Just recently, I've considered another of those 'forgotten' End of Empire conflicts, in this case the British, French and Israeli operations in Egypt.

I've been trying to find information on infantry weapons for the forces involved, especially it seems the British troops. I know the Israeli commandos used the Uzi but did the Brits have the SLR on general issue or was it still 'it worked in WW2, so it'll work now'?

Plus, the Egyptians, was it all Soviet kit of the time or something else?

I have the Osprey Essential Histories book but have failed in my search as a member on the website for uniform information.

[Hu Rhu]

The British were still carrying the Lee Enfield and Bren Gun in Suez, with a few troops armed with the Sterling SMG. Not sure about the Egyptian forces.

[carlos marighela]

Just recently, I've considered another of those 'forgotten' End of Empire conflicts, in this case the British, French and Israeli operations in Egypt.

I've been trying to find information on infantry weapons for the forces involved, especially it seems the British troops. I know the Israeli commandos used the Uzi but did the Brits have the SLR on general issue or was it still 'it worked in WW2, so it'll work now'?

Plus, the Egyptians, was it all Soviet kit of the time or something else?

I have the Osprey Essential Histories book but have failed in my search as a member on the website for uniform information.

Brits were as per WW2. Mk4 Rifles, Stens and Brens. The two noticeable changes would be substitution of the 3.5" super bazooka for the PIAT and further up the chain US 106mm RCLs were fielded by AT platoons.

Photos of Egyptian prisoners show most wearing khaki greatcoats over Egyptian  drill uniform, with its oddly shaped field cap. After the initial landings many changed into mufti to snipe at the invaders. Not sure what tin hats were worn. Egypt had a mix, like all of its war material. There are contempiray photos in Sinai and later in Yemen showing US M1 helmets. They also had large supplies of old British tin hats. Remind me later and I'll look for a video showing a parade in Cairo in 1955 which gives you an idea.

[commissarmoody]

I belive yoi can also get away with useing Indo-china French for there compliment.

[carlos marighela]

The FNG, ex Red Star French paras are perfect for Suez. In 15mm the Eureka ones work just as well.  Wargames Foundry British paras are ideal for the period and with beret and webbing colour changes would work for the Royal Marines. The Egyptians are the tricky part.

[carlos marighela]

This is the video I mentioned earlier:

Just be aware that there is another version of the clip that shows footage of the Iraqi army from a little later on. That one is a cracker if you have an interest in Operation Vantage, Britain's ripost to a mooted Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1961.

[commissarmoody]

Thanks for the video share. I might be wrong but, wouldn't a lot of old British uniforms, kit and weapons still be used?

[Emir of Askaristan]

Funnily enough this report was run just yesterday on the BBC, I think you might find it quite handy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36985325 - "The Suez Emergency, the forgotten war of the conscript soldier"


I've gamed Suez  as a demo game at a show in 20mm using tin hatted and bereted British figs to distinguish between the two sides. This was some years ago and now the plethora of 28mm plastics and some armed 30's civilians means you have a useful range to plunder for conversions.

[Ash]

Under Fire are bringing out some Syrian troops sometime soon, but they probably have kit from a later period.

[dadlamassu]

This clip has lots of views of the British forces and the Paras with the M-40 106mm fitted to jeeps and a sequence showing piles of captured weapons.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-army-stands-by

[Grimjack]

Many thanks for all that information, I'll have to search about for WW2 Italian Front Brits in berets I think but really appreciate all the help.

[commissarmoody]

Many thanks for all that information, I'll have to search about for WW2 Italian Front Brits in berets I think but really appreciate all the help.

should work just fine. As long as they are not wearing any shorts that is. 

[Steve F]

should work just fine. As long as they are not wearing any shorts that is. 

Not in the manner of your avatar, I hope.

[commissarmoody]

Not in the manner of your avatar, I hope.

if it worked for the hoof and mouth regiment....

[swiftnick]

My 15mm ak47 armies are based on Suez. The Brits are a mixture of Skytrex and Peter Pi g paras. Backed up by Centurions, armoured cars and para jeeps all Peter Pig. The French are Eureka French paras with amx13 back up. But also have half tracks and chafees for use in Indochina. The sticking point was always the Egyptians. I use the Peter Pig late war lightly equipped Brits. I just paint the skin a bit darker and give the uniform a lighter colour. They have a mixture of Soviet and British AFVs. I can use them as Indians up to the 60s as well.