November 5th, 1956
Canadian General Takes UNEF Command
United Nations
E L M Burns assumed leadership of the newly organized United Nations Emergency Force as planning moved toward deployment.
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
E L M Burns
Canada
UNEF Commander
20 archival records
November 5th, 1956
International Force Commander Named for Ceasefire Mission
United Nations
E L M Burns was chosen to lead the emergency peacekeeping operation envisaged by the United Nations.
November 5th, 1956
UNEF Command Accepted
United Nations
Burns is selected to command the newly created United Nations Emergency Force.
November 10th, 1956
UNEF Staff Prepares Initial Egyptian Deployment
United Nations
E L M Burns's staff coordinated personnel and logistical planning for the first peacekeeping units to enter Egypt.
November 12th, 1956
UNEF Headquarters Prepares Truce Observation Network
United Nations
E L M Burns organized personnel and communications for the new force to monitor ceasefire arrangements.
November 15th, 1956
First Peacekeepers Reach Egyptian Airfield
United Nations
The initial UNEF elements arrived in the Abu Suweir area and began the international deployment designed to support the ceasefire.
November 15th, 1956
Initial International Contingents Arrive in Egypt
United Nations
UNEF advance personnel entered Egypt to prepare for separating forces and overseeing compliance with the ceasefire.
November 15th, 1956
Peacekeepers Arrive in Egypt Before Port Deployment
Port Said
E L M Burns organized the force that would eventually supervise the military transition around Port Said.
November 15th, 1956
UNEF Deployment Begins
Egypt
Burns begins deploying UNEF contingents into Egypt to supervise the ceasefire and withdrawals.
November 21st, 1956
Peacekeepers Begin Supervising Port Said Lines
United Nations
UNEF units entered Port Said to help reduce clashes and support the eventual withdrawal of occupying forces.
November 21st, 1956
Peacekeepers Enter Occupied Port Said
United Nations
Under E L M Burns's command, units of the emergency force entered Port Said during preparations to replace British and French troops.
November 21st, 1956
UN Troops Move into Port Said
Port Said
Burns supervises UNEF elements entering Port Said and taking positions between opposing forces.
November 21st, 1956
UNEF Troops Enter Port Said City
Port Said
International peacekeepers began taking positions in Port Said as negotiations continued over the departure of the occupying forces.
November 30th, 1956
UNEF Expands Operations Across Canal
United Nations
The emergency force extended positions to the east side of the Suez Canal while seeking to separate opposing troops.
December 5th, 1956
UNEF Expands Supervision Around Occupied Districts
Port Said
Peacekeeping elements assumed more duties in the city as the withdrawal timetable progressed.
December 10th, 1956
Peacekeeping Positions Expand as Allies Prepare Exit
United Nations
UNEF elements moved into arrangements designed to maintain separation while occupying armies departed the canal area.
December 10th, 1956
UNEF Supervises Transfer of Occupied Positions
United Nations
Peacekeepers monitored the handover of positions as British and French forces prepared to leave the Port Said area.
December 18th, 1956
UNEF Prepares Final Transfer of Positions
Port Said
Peacekeepers arranged to occupy positions vacated by Allied forces and reduce the risk of new clashes.
December 22nd, 1956
Allied Withdrawal Improves Access for Clearance Teams
Suez Canal
The removal of Anglo French forces from Port Said made it easier for civilian and international teams to work in the canal zone.
March 8th, 1957
Emergency Force Monitors New Border Positions
United Nations
UNEF continued observing the Egyptian Israeli frontier area after the withdrawal of Israeli units from occupied territory.