August 11th, 1956
Allied Commander Receives Suez Contingency Assignment
Cyprus
Charles Keightley was informed that he would command British and French forces if the two governments decided to intervene militarily over the canal dispute.
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
Charles Keightley
Great Britain
General
28 archival records
October 30th, 1956
Allied Command Designates Port Said Main Objective
Cyprus
Charles Keightley's staff adjusted plans to seize the northern entrance to the Suez Canal through airborne and amphibious operations.
October 30th, 1956
El Gamil Selected for Airborne Landing
Cyprus
Charles Keightley's command incorporated El Gamil airfield west of Port Said into the revised airborne plan for Operation Musketeer.
October 30th, 1956
Operation Musketeer Revise
Cyprus
Prepares to execute the revised Anglo-French operation centred on Port Said
October 30th, 1956
Revised Musketeer Assault Plan Approved
Cyprus
Charles Keightley's headquarters refined plans to seize the Port Said area through airborne and seaborne attacks instead of launching a broad campaign across Egypt.
October 31st, 1956
Allied Headquarters Directs Port Said Operation
Cyprus
Keightley directs the combined Anglo-French headquarters as the air phase against Egypt begins.
October 31st, 1956
Operation Musketeer
Cyprus
Commands Operation Musketeer, the Anglo-French military operation against Egypt
November 2nd, 1956
Assault Date Confirmed
Cyprus
Keightley confirms final preparations for the airborne and amphibious assault on the canal zone.
November 2nd, 1956
Port Said Landing Sequence Confirmed
Cyprus
Charles Keightley's command prepared an airborne seizure of access points near Port Said ahead of the main amphibious landing.
November 4th, 1956
El Gamil Assault Scheduled for First Light
Cyprus
Charles Keightley confirmed the plan to drop British paratroopers at El Gamil on the morning of 5 November.
November 5th, 1956
Airborne Beachhead Supports Planned Seaborne Landing
Port Said
Charles Keightley's command used the capture of El Gamil to establish a foothold before amphibious forces landed the next day.
November 5th, 1956
Airborne Phase Released
Cyprus
Keightley authorises the airborne assault phase that places British and French paratroopers around Port Said and Port Fuad.
November 5th, 1956
British Paratroopers Capture El Gamil Airfield
El Gamil
Charles Keightley's allied command deployed the British Third Parachute Battalion to seize El Gamil airfield west of Port Said.
November 6th, 1956
Advance Down Canal Stops After Ceasefire
Port Said
Charles Keightley's forces stopped their planned movement south of Port Said before the whole canal could be occupied.
November 6th, 1956
Advance Halted by Ceasefire
Suez Canal
Keightley orders forces to stop advancing when political leaders accept the ceasefire.
November 6th, 1956
Allied Advance Stopped after Ceasefire Decision
Cyprus
Keightley implements political orders ending the offensive while Allied ground forces are still advancing south from Port Said.
November 6th, 1956
Allied Commander Receives Stop Advance Orders
United Nations
Charles Keightley implemented orders to stop the southward advance of British and French troops in Egypt.
November 6th, 1956
Amphibious Assault Authorised
Cyprus
Keightley authorises the seaborne assault reinforcing forces already fighting around Port Said.
November 6th, 1956
Amphibious Phase Released
Cyprus
Keightley directs the transition from airborne operations to the main amphibious assault on the canal-zone cities.
November 6th, 1956
Ceasefire Order
Cyprus
Receives orders to halt the advance after international pressure forces a ceasefire
November 6th, 1956
El Gamil Landing Becomes Allied Entry Point
Port Said
Charles Keightley's airborne plan provided the British force with a secure entry point before the ceasefire halted further expansion.
November 6th, 1956
Helicopters Deliver Marines Into Port Said
Port Said
Charles Keightley's invasion forces used shipborne helicopters to insert Royal Marines, demonstrating a notable new method of amphibious troop deployment.
November 6th, 1956
Musketeer Advance Halted Before Canal Capture
Port Said
Charles Keightley's forces stopped their southward advance as the ceasefire prevented the allies from occupying the entire Suez Canal.
November 7th, 1956
Occupation Zone Stabilised
Port Said
Keightley stabilises the limited Anglo-French occupation area while withdrawal terms are negotiated.
November 8th, 1956
Allied Command Reviews Airfield Occupation
Port Said
Charles Keightley's headquarters had to sustain the captured northern canal positions while governments negotiated a withdrawal.
November 14th, 1956
United Nations Troops Begin Replacing Invaders
Port Said
Charles Keightley's command faced the arrival of United Nations personnel as arrangements began for replacing Anglo-French forces with an international emergency force.
December 22nd, 1956
Allied Evacuation From Port Said Completed
Port Said
Charles Keightley's forces completed the British and French withdrawal from Egypt, ending the military occupation established during Operation Musketeer.
December 22nd, 1956
Final Allied Troops Depart Port Said
Port Said
The Anglo French operation ended with evacuation of the remaining occupying forces and the transition to Egyptian authority.