UNEF Command Accepted
Burns is selected to command the newly created United Nations Emergency Force.
Role range: 1956-1956
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
E L M Burns Biography and Timeline
Follow E L M Burns through 20 dated historical records for Canada.
E L M Burns, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
20Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1956–1957Years on this page
1956
Canadian General Takes UNEF Command
E L M Burns assumed leadership of the newly organized United Nations Emergency Force as planning moved toward deployment.
Role range: 1956-1957
International Force Commander Named for Ceasefire Mission
E L M Burns was chosen to lead the emergency peacekeeping operation envisaged by the United Nations.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Staff Prepares Initial Egyptian Deployment
E L M Burns's staff coordinated personnel and logistical planning for the first peacekeeping units to enter Egypt.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Headquarters Prepares Truce Observation Network
E L M Burns organized personnel and communications for the new force to monitor ceasefire arrangements.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Deployment Begins
Burns begins deploying UNEF contingents into Egypt to supervise the ceasefire and withdrawals.
Role range: 1956-1956
First Peacekeepers Reach Egyptian Airfield
The initial UNEF elements arrived in the Abu Suweir area and began the international deployment designed to support the ceasefire.
Role range: 1956-1957
Peacekeepers Arrive in Egypt Before Port Deployment
E L M Burns organized the force that would eventually supervise the military transition around Port Said.
Role range: 1956-1957
Initial International Contingents Arrive in Egypt
UNEF advance personnel entered Egypt to prepare for separating forces and overseeing compliance with the ceasefire.
Role range: 1956-1957
UN Troops Move into Port Said
Burns supervises UNEF elements entering Port Said and taking positions between opposing forces.
Role range: 1956-1956
Peacekeepers Enter Occupied Port Said
Under E L M Burns's command, units of the emergency force entered Port Said during preparations to replace British and French troops.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Troops Enter Port Said City
International peacekeepers began taking positions in Port Said as negotiations continued over the departure of the occupying forces.
Role range: 1956-1957
Peacekeepers Begin Supervising Port Said Lines
UNEF units entered Port Said to help reduce clashes and support the eventual withdrawal of occupying forces.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Expands Operations Across Canal
The emergency force extended positions to the east side of the Suez Canal while seeking to separate opposing troops.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Expands Supervision Around Occupied Districts
Peacekeeping elements assumed more duties in the city as the withdrawal timetable progressed.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Supervises Transfer of Occupied Positions
Peacekeepers monitored the handover of positions as British and French forces prepared to leave the Port Said area.
Role range: 1956-1957
Peacekeeping Positions Expand as Allies Prepare Exit
UNEF elements moved into arrangements designed to maintain separation while occupying armies departed the canal area.
Role range: 1956-1957
UNEF Prepares Final Transfer of Positions
Peacekeepers arranged to occupy positions vacated by Allied forces and reduce the risk of new clashes.
Role range: 1956-1957
Allied Withdrawal Improves Access for Clearance Teams
The removal of Anglo French forces from Port Said made it easier for civilian and international teams to work in the canal zone.
Role range: 1956-1957
1957
Emergency Force Monitors New Border Positions
UNEF continued observing the Egyptian Israeli frontier area after the withdrawal of Israeli units from occupied territory.
Role range: 1956-1957
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.