The airborne assault on Suez in 1956 is the first parachute operation undertaken since 1945 and the last since. Parachute battalions are involved in counter-insurgency operations against EOKA in Cyprus, and provide support during crises in Jordan, the Persian-Gulf, Radfan, Borneo, Aden and Hong Kong, protecting British interests in the planned strategic withdrawal from the former empire east of Suez.
Malay Peninsula
A campaign was operated in the Malaysian Peninsula and Singapore area as an extension of the concurrent Borneo conflict.
about Malay Peninsula
Just before dawn on 19th March 1969 2 PARA (less B Company) conducted an amphibious assault on the Caribbean Island of Anguilla known as Operation SHEEPSKIN. This was in response to popular unrest over proposed federation with other Caribbean states.
about Anguilla (Operation Sheepskin)
In January 1967 1 PARA was sent to Aden to cover the final withdrawal of British troops from the South Arabian Peninsular. It was directed to prepare for ‘any contingency’, which might range from civil disorder to possible attack from Yemen.
about Aden
In October 1965 3 PARA was deployed to British Guiana (now Guyana) in South America on internal security duties, reliving the 1st Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers. There had been considerable inter-racial political tension prior to recognition that Independence was to be granted in 1966.
about British Guiana
2 PARA was rushed to Singapore in early 1965 for intensive jungle training in response to President Sukarno of Indonesia’s threats of invasion intended to destabilise the young Malaysian Federation.
about Borneo
Tribesmen backed by the Yemen and Egypt sought to destabilise the South Arabian Federation in 1963, shooting up and mining the Dhala road in the hot dry Radfan mountainous region 50 miles north of Aden. 3 PARA formed part of the British response, when it was decided to intervene the following year.
about Radfan
In June 1961 Kuwait was threatened with invasion by Iraq. An ad-hoc brigade battle group was rapidly despatched by air as a Strategic Reserve ‘Fire-Brigade’, summoned from Aden, Bahrain, Kenya and included 2 PARA from Cyprus. The Brigade was positioned astride the Matla Ridge covering the main tank approach from Iraq.
about Persian Gulf
As a result of Civil War in the Lebanon, 16th Brigade were flown at short notice to Cyprus in June 1958. In the event the Americans went into the Lebanon while on July 14th a military coup d’etat in Iraq when the King and most of the Royal Family were murdered, threatened Jordan.
about Jordan
1 and 3 PARA were flown to Cyprus in January 1956 to augment the Island’s security forces in response to the Greek Cypriot EOKA terrorist campaign to achieve political union or ‘Enosis’ with Greece. They were followed by the remainder of 16 Parachute Brigade and 2 PARA in July.
about Cyprus (EOKA Campaign)
In July 1956 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal and an Anglo-French military plan was developed to re-occupy it. 3 PARA was directed to conduct a surprise parachute assault upon El Gamil airfield west of Port Said and clear the adjoining coastal defences before an amphibious attack and link-up with Commando forces.
about Suez (Operation Musketeer)
Ardennes
With the Allies at a standstill and forced to bide their time, the Germans prepared
about Ardennes
North Africa (Operation Torch)
1ST Parachute Brigade was fully operational for Operation TORCH, which began with amphibious landings by
about North Africa (Operation Torch)
Sicily (Operation Husky)
The newly formed 1st British airborne Division spearheaded Operation HUSKY the Allied amphibious assault on
about Sicily (Operation Husky)