November 2nd, 1956
Third Parachute Battalion Briefed on Airfield Objective
Cyprus
Paul Crook's Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment prepared to seize El Gamil and hold the site against Egyptian counterattacks.
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
Paul Crook
Great Britain
Lieutenant Colonel
22 archival records
November 4th, 1956
Crook Finalizes Battalion Landing Preparations
Cyprus
Paul Crook prepared his battalion for an assault in which securing the runway would enable reinforcement and a move toward Port Said.
November 4th, 1956
Three Para Prepares for El Gamil
Cyprus
Crook briefs 3 Para before its airborne assault on El Gamil airfield.
November 5th, 1956
Airborne Force Reaches Port Said Outskirts
Port Said
Paul Crook's battalion advanced roughly two miles from El Gamil toward Port Said during the first day of ground operations.
November 5th, 1956
Airfield Landing Zone Comes Under British Control
El Gamil
Paul Crook's paratroopers took the airfield and secured the immediate landing area so further British operations could proceed.
November 5th, 1956
British Battalion Drops West of Port Said
Port Said
Paul Crook led the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment onto El Gamil airfield to establish a foothold near the city.
November 5th, 1956
British Infantry Establish Airfield Defensive Perimeter
El Gamil
Paul Crook deployed troops around the captured airfield to protect the landing zone against nearby Egyptian positions.
November 5th, 1956
British Paratroopers Drop Over El Gamil
El Gamil
Paul Crook's battalion parachuted onto El Gamil airfield during the opening ground phase of the Anglo-French assault.
November 5th, 1956
El Gamil Airfield
El Gamil
Leads 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in the assault on El Gamil Airfield
November 5th, 1956
El Gamil Airfield Secured
El Gamil
Crook's 3 Para secures El Gamil airfield and establishes a base for reinforcement.
November 5th, 1956
El Gamil Battalion Holds Against Egyptian Resistance
El Gamil
Paul Crook's paratroopers faced Egyptian resistance while maintaining control of the airfield and nearby ground.
November 5th, 1956
El Gamil Force Advances Toward Port Said
Port Said
Paul Crook's battalion moved east from the airfield toward the outskirts of Port Said after establishing its initial foothold.
November 5th, 1956
El Gamil Perimeter Defended
El Gamil
Crook's paratroopers defend the captured airfield perimeter while reorganising after the drop.
November 5th, 1956
First Postwar British Battalion Parachute Assault
El Gamil
Crook leads 3 Para in Britain's first battalion-sized combat parachute assault since the Second World War.
November 5th, 1956
Parachute Units Gather After Scattered Landings
El Gamil
Paul Crook's men reorganized their companies and equipment after the drop, bringing the battalion into a defensible formation.
November 5th, 1956
Paratroopers Advance from El Gamil
Port Said
Crook moves 3 Para from El Gamil toward Port Said after the airfield has been secured.
November 5th, 1956
Paratroopers Clear Airfield for Reinforcement Aircraft
El Gamil
Paul Crook's force cleared the landing area for arriving aircraft, enabling the airborne foothold to receive additional personnel and equipment.
November 5th, 1956
Seven Hour Clearance Opens Airfield Access
El Gamil
Paul Crook's troops secured and cleared El Gamil for incoming aircraft within several hours of the initial drop.
November 6th, 1956
Captured Airfield Supports Allied Logistics
El Gamil
Paul Crook's captured airfield served as a means of bringing in reinforcements and supplies during the short ground campaign.
November 6th, 1956
Paratroopers Link With Seaborne Assault Forces
Port Said
Paul Crook's airborne troops operated alongside British troops arriving by sea as the assault on Port Said expanded.
November 7th, 1956
British Parachutists Retain El Gamil Position
El Gamil
Paul Crook's battalion remained in the occupied area after the ceasefire while arrangements for the withdrawal were still unresolved.
December 1st, 1956
El Gamil Action Enters Parachute Regiment History
Great Britain
Paul Crook's battalion became associated with the successful seizure of El Gamil, a prominent British airborne action during the Suez campaign.