This had followed tension in Persia after British alarm at the nationalisation of its oil industry and fears for the safety of British nationals. The Brigade deployed to Cyprus in June aboard the Aircraft Carriers HMS Triumph and Warrior, the situation proving to be a false alarm.
This time the three Parachute Battalions joined over 70,000 British troops stationed in the Canal Zone, taking over responsibility for the docks. The 33rd Parachute Field Regiment RA took over the security of the Ordnance Depot at Geneifa.
In January 1952 the Brigade was deployed west of Suez alongside other British forces to deter an Egyptian Army advance against the Suez Canal. Tension was such that 1 PARA was on stand-by to conduct a possible airborne operation against Cairo, supported by 3 PARA and a Squadron of the Royal Tank Regiment, if British nationals were threatened.
The conventional threat eased but terrorist attacks against British military establishments in the Canal Zone increased while the Egyptian Police refused to cooperate in maintaining security. Events came to a head during resistance to a 2 and 3 PARA cordon and search operation in Ismailia the same month during which four terrorists were killed and 12 captured for the loss of one officer. The 1st Lancashire Fusiliers meanwhile fought a bloody battle to occupy a police barracks, supported by a Centurion tank, resulting in the killing or wounding of 95 policemen at a cost of four dead and 1 wounded.
16th Independent Parachute Brigade assumed responsibility for all Ismailia and the surrounding district, mounting patrols, cordon and searches, guards and convoy duties. It was fully committed on such internal security duties for two years. Despite the heavy commitments brigade units trained regularly in Cyprus, Jordan and the Sinai desert.
Pegasus Village described as ‘a scrounging operation on a heroic scale’ was built by 9th Independent Parachute Squadron RE and Battalion Pioneers to create bungalow quarters for families whose husbands had been on ‘emergency tour’ for considerable periods. 40 Bungalows were built for a small village created on an island in Lake Timsah near Ismailia in 1953 and more added before the completion of the tour in 1954.
Units Engaged
Photos_61
Private Palsen holds a horse leg bone to the camera near Cairo.
2 Images Buy PrintsParatroopers at rest in the Canal Zone.
1 Image Buy PrintsThree paratroopers crouch and read a paper in the Canal Zone.
1 Image Buy PrintsHQ Company, 3 PARA, emplane at Nicosia for the Canal Zone. October 1951.
2 Images Buy PrintsHQ Company, 3 PARA, emplane at Nicosia for the Canal Zone. October 1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsHQ Company, 3 PARA, emplane at Nicosia for the Canal Zone. October 1951.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA road block, Kassassine, on the Sweet Water Canal, Egypt,
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA guard on Kassassine railway station, Egypt, 4/11/51.
1 Image Buy PrintsThree members of 3 PARA with their mess tins in the Canal Zone.
2 Images Buy Prints3 PARA clearing the village of Gaynaeim, following trouble from snipers, Canal Zone, Egypt, 8/12/51.
1 Image Buy PrintsA Centurian tank demolishing houses in Gaynaeim, following trouble from snipers. Canal Zone, Egypt.
1 Image Buy PrintsCorporal Jock Kerr, 3 PARA, on guard at a water filtration plant near Suez, Christmas day, 1951.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA sergeants serve early morning tea, Canal Zone, Egypt.
2 Images Buy PrintsThe I Section take it easy, 3 PARA, Shandur Camp, Canal Zone, 31/12/51.
1 Image Buy PrintsMember of 3 PARA gets a haircut, Shandur camp, Canal Zone, 3/1/52.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA search for arms in Ismailia, Egypt, 20/1/52.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA search for arms in Ismailia, Egypt, 20/1/52.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA serach for arms, Cpl Smith, Ismailia, Egypt, 21/1/52.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Hunt, 3 PARA has a trim – clippers powered from street lamp, Ismailia, 25/1/52.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Hunt, 3 PARA, somewhere in the desert between Suez and Cairo. 6/2/52.
1 Image Buy PrintsConversion course to Hastings aircraft, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, Egypt, February 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsConversion course to Hastings aircraft. Cpl Higgins, 3 PARA on flight trainer, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsConversion course to Hastings aircraft, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, Egypt.
1 Image Buy PrintsNAAFI sign, 3 PARA, Shandur camp, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsHMS Warrior, c1951
1 Image Buy Prints33rd Parachute Field Regiment providing the gun carriage for all 16 Para Brigade funerals, Canal Zone.
1 Image Buy PrintsDavid Hulcoop and ‘Punchy Moore’. 2 Para Canal Zone Egypt, 1952-1953.
1 ImageA Coy 3 PARA On board HMS Triumph 1951
1 Image3 PARA at Shandur camp near Fayid, Canal Zone 1951.
2 Images Buy PrintsInspection of 2 PARA Guard of Honour, Camp Nicosia, c1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsA Company's new quarters! 2 PARA Egypt or Cyprus c1951
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA preparing to emplane for Cyprus drop, c1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo Irish Guards, Egypt c1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsNo 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company camp in Egypt, c1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsBobby Rankin and Alex Dunbar,C Coy 1 PARA, Canal Zone. 1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsAlex Dunbar and Bobby Rankin, C Coy, 1 PARA, Fayid Egypt, Canal Zone, 1950s.
1 Image Buy PrintsMen of 2nd Para Battalion fly to Jordan from RAF Kabrit Egypt for an exercise, 1952
1 ImageEn-route from Egypt to Jordan for parachute exercise, 1952
1 ImageSoldiers from 2 PARA halt during a search in Ismailia cemetery, Egypt, 1952
2 Images Buy PrintsBefore and after !! Suez Canal Zone 1952
2 Images Buy PrintsHMS Triumph, c1951
1 Image2 PARA's first camp in Egypt, c1952
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 Platoon, A Company, 2 PARA, Ismailia, c1952
1 Image Buy PrintsArriving in Egypt, 2 PARA, c1952.
1 Image Buy Prints75mm pack howitzer in action, 33rd Airborne Light Regiment RA, Sinai, c1952.
1 ImageSgt "Lofty" Golder and 75mm pack howitzer, Sinai Egypt c1952.
1 ImageDemolition of the village of Gaynaeim, Canal Zone, c1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo members of 3 PARA after the demolition of the village of Gaynaeim, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsAnti Tank Platoon, 3 PARA in the desert, Canal Zone, 1952.
2 Images Buy PrintsBrian Clarke and John Hutton, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsHastings with 3 PARA Jeeps for air drop, RAF Kasfareet, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA Jeeps under Hastings for ready air drop, RAF Kasfareet, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA cleaning anti-tank guns in the Canal Zone, Operation Rodeo, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsA Heavy Drop in Exercise Leap Year II Canal Zone 1952
1 Image Buy PrintsThe recently issued Colours of 3rd Battalion, Moascar, Egypt, c1952-3.
1 Image Buy PrintsMen of the Para Brigade make their way through hilly terrain during a training exercise, Jordan 1953
1 Image Buy PrintsMen of 16 Para Brigade take cover from "enemy" aircraft during training exercise, Jordan 1953
1 Image Buy PrintsC Troop, 97 (Lawson’s Company) Para Bty, 33rd Para Field Regiment RA, onboard a Hastings, RAF Kasfareet, Egypt, c1953.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA relaxing, Canal Zone, c1953.
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo members of 3 PARA relaxing, Canal Zone, c1953.
1 Image Buy PrintsCraftsman Coupe with unknown Para, Egypt, 24 May 1954.
1 Image Buy Prints
Official accounts_1
Group photos_40
Group portrait of officers of 3 PARA in Egypt, 1953.
2 Images Buy PrintsP company, Log Race, Stirling Scotland, 1960's.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA Hockey Team Egypt 1952-53
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA play football on a rooftop while on internal secruity duties, Canal Zone, c1953.
1 Image Buy PrintsSupport Company 2 PARA football team, Canal Zone Egypt, c1953.
1 Image Buy Prints2nd Battalion Boxing Team, Winners of the Army (Egypt) Cup 1953.
1 Image Buy PrintsThe Officers of The 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, Egypt, May, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsWinners, Army (Egypt) Rugby Football Cup 1952/53 (Seven –A Side), 3 PARA.
1 Image Buy PrintsDavid Hulcoop & pals. 2 Para Canal Zone Egypt, 1953-1954.
1 ImageDavid Hulcoop & pals. Canal Zone Egypt.
1 ImageMen of A Coy 3 para on board HMS Triumph heading for the MIddle East 1951
1 ImageMen of A Coy 3 PARA en route to Middle East on board HMS Triumph 1951
1 ImageMen of 3 PARA in X type parachutes Canal zone 1952
1 ImageMen of 3 PARA in Canal Zone 1952
1 Image3 PARA Rugby XV Canal Zone 1951/52
1 Image Buy Prints2 PARA Guard of Honour Nicosia c1951
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA ready for Egypt, 1951
1 Image3 PARA Officers during visit by GOC Canal Zone to Cyprus 1951.
1 Image Buy PrintsParas ready for a practice drop to Jordan, at RAF Kabrit, Egypt, 1952
1 Image2 PARA Rugby XV Egypt 1952-53
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA, Ismailia, c1952
1 Image Buy PrintsPlatoon Commanders A Coy, 2 PARA, c1952
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA, Canal Zone border, January 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsResting up, members of 3 PARA, Canal Zone border, January 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA near the Canal Zone border, January 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 1 PARA after storming the Police Post and Barracks, Canal Zone, Egypt, January 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA on an 'Air-portability Course' RAF Kasfareet, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup photograph of 1st Battalion Sergeants Mess, Moascar, Egypt, 1953
1 ImageMembers of 3 PARA, Canal Zone, c1953.
1 Image Buy Prints2nd Para Bn Boxing Team 1953.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA Officers Egypt 1953
1 Image Buy PrintsWings presentation to Paras of 16th Para Bde at Ismailia, Egypt, July 1953
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup photograph of Support Company, 2 PARA, Moascar Stadium, Egypt, 1954.
1 ImageSupport Coy, 2 PARA, Small Arms Team, Moascar 1954.
1 Image Buy PrintsSt Vincent's Camp, Ferry Point, Canal Zone, 1954.
1 Image Buy PrintsBrigade HQ, Ferry Point, Canal Zone, 1954.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 16 Para Light Aid Detachment (LAD) REME, Canal Zone, 1954.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Tarbin with Pte Hemens, Canal Zone, c1954.
1 Image Buy PrintsEducational Staff, 16th (Independent) Parachute Brigade Group, Moascar, Egypt, 1954
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA, Egypt, c1955.
1 Image Buy Prints
Magazine extracts_1
Solo photos_17
Pte L White of 3 PARA in Canal zone 1952
1 Imagepte l white in canal zone 1952
1 ImageCompany commander GM Mills, Company commander, 2 PARA, Egypt Canal Zone, 1951
1 Image Buy PrintsL/Cpl William McClusky on guard duty, c1952
1 Image Buy PrintsL/Cpl McClusky resting on exercise in Cyprus, c1951
1 Image Buy PrintsL/Cpl McClusky, 2 PARA HQ Platoon, Operation Rodeo c1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsMajor Mewse, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Ken Price outside his accommodation block, Egypt, c1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsCpl William Mortimore, 3 PARA, Canal Zone Border, January 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsAlfie Crompton, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsCharlie Howes, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy Prints'Geordie' B McHugh cleaning his Enfield rifle, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy Prints'Lofty' Corboy, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy Prints'Taffy' Bourne, 3 PARA, Canal Zone, 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsBrig K T 'Katie' Darling watches the demolition of Gaynaeim, Canal Zone, c1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsCpl 'Cosh' Mortimore, 3 PARA, Canal Zone Border, January 1952.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Ken Price with a rifle valise, Egypt, c1952.
1 Image Buy Prints
Aerial photos_1
Members of 97 (Lawson’s Company) Para Bty, 33rd Para Field Regt RA, jumping from a Hastings, Egypt, c1953.
1 Image Buy Prints
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