Ultimatum
Issues an ultimatum with France demanding that Israel and Egypt withdraw from the canal zone
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1956 in Great Britain — Page 5
Explore 627 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1956.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1956
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 627 unique records.
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October
Ultimatum
Israel accepts the Anglo-French ultimatum while Egypt rejects the demand for withdrawal from the canal zone
Ultimatum Specifies Ten Mile Withdrawal Zones
The British and French terms required Egyptian and Israeli troops to move ten miles from the canal while permitting allied forces to occupy key positions.
United Nations
Defends Britain's ultimatum during international debate over the crisis
Air Attack
Orders air attacks on Egypt after Nasser rejects the Anglo-French ultimatum
Air Offensive
Directs air operations aimed at neutralising Egyptian airfields
Air Offensive Against Egypt Authorized
Anthony Eden authorized British participation in the air campaign after Egypt rejected the Anglo-French ultimatum concerning the Suez Canal.
Air Strikes Follow Ultimatum Expiry
Denis Barnett's Anglo French air campaign against Egyptian military airfields commenced after the governments declared the ultimatum unfulfilled.
Allied Headquarters Directs Port Said Operation
Keightley directs the combined Anglo-French headquarters as the air phase against Egypt begins.
Bevan Condemns Armed Suez Intervention
Aneurin Bevan opposed the use of British force in Egypt as the Suez confrontation escalated into open military operations.
Bombing of Egypt
The UK & France bomb Egypt to force the reopening of the canal with Operation Musketeer, Egypt blocks the canal with scuttled ships in the canal & closes it until 1957
Britain Rejects General Assembly Referral Vote
Britain opposed Resolution 119, but the procedural measure passed despite British and French negative votes.
British Case Meets Security Council Opposition
Selwyn Lloyd's government faced diplomatic criticism as the Security Council debated the ultimatum and ensuing military measures.
British Government Declares Egyptian Noncompliance
Anthony Eden treated Egypt's refusal to accept foreign troops as a reason for the planned Anglo French attack to proceed.
British Ground Planners Assess Airfield Seizure
Hugh Stockwell's staff planned the use of a parachute battalion to seize El Gamil and open an approach toward Port Said.
British Intervention Adds to Currency Market Anxiety
Cameron Cobbold's bank faced increased pressure to preserve confidence in sterling as Britain entered the Suez fighting.
British Intervention Weakens Criticism of Soviet Conduct
Anthony Eden's decision to attack Egypt damaged Britain's diplomatic position as Western governments sought to condemn coercion in Hungary.
Egyptian Airfields Suppression Campaign
Barnett directs the opening air campaign intended to destroy Egyptian air power before the landings.
Foreign Office Explains Military Action to Allies
Selwyn Lloyd's department faced the task of defending the intervention to governments alarmed by the operation.
Ground Force Arranges Port Said Assault Sequence
Hugh Stockwell coordinated the planned progression from parachute landings to an amphibious attack and advance southward.
HMS Newfoundland
HMS Newfoundland engages and sinks the Egyptian frigate Domiat during the naval phase
Landing Force
Commands the landing force assembled to seize Port Said and the northern canal zone
Naval Bombardment
Coordinates naval support and carrier forces for the Anglo-French operation
Operation Musketeer
The UK & France bomb Egypt to force the reopening of the canal with Operation Musketeer, Egypt blocks the canal with scuttled ships in the canal & closes it until 1957
Operation Musketeer
British and French aircraft bomb Egyptian airfields as Operation Musketeer begins
Operation Musketeer
Authorises the bombing phase of Operation Musketeer against Egyptian targets
Operation Musketeer
Commands Operation Musketeer, the Anglo-French military operation against Egypt
RAF Bomber Offensive Opens from Malta and Cyprus
Barnett directs the RAF bomber offensive launched from Malta and Cyprus against Egyptian military airfields.
RAF Bomber Strikes Begin From Cyprus
Denis Barnett oversaw air operations as British bombers launched attacks on Egyptian airfields, beginning the active phase of Operation Musketeer.
Resignation of Anthony Nutting
Resigns from the Foreign Office in protest over the Suez intervention
Suez Canal
The UK & France bomb Egypt to force the reopening of the canal with Operation Musketeer, Egypt blocks the canal with scuttled ships in the canal & closes it until 1957. British & French planes bomb Egyptian airfields
Valiant Bombers Committed to Combat
Barnett's air command commits Valiant bombers to operational attacks during their only use in combat.
Cabinet Opposition
Expresses serious reservations inside government about the resort to force over Suez
Suez Crisis
Opposes the British and French intervention in Egypt.
November
Air Planners Prepare El Gamil Drop Support
Denis Barnett's air command coordinated the transport and tactical air requirements for the forthcoming airborne landing near Port Said.
Air Raids Weaken Egyptian Defenses Before Landings
Denis Barnett's air forces attacked Egyptian military targets in advance of the Allied Port Said assault.
Allied Aircraft Target Egyptian Air Power
Denis Barnett's air command continued attacks aimed at weakening Egyptian aircraft and airfield facilities before the planned troop landings.
Carrier Air Operations Coordinated
Durnford-Slater coordinates carrier-based air operations against Egyptian military targets.
Chancellor Reviews Accelerating Reserve Losses
Harold Macmillan examined the drain on British reserves as the pound came under pressure during the intervention.
Labour Leadership Opposes Eden Suez Policy
Hugh Gaitskell criticized the government's intervention and supported public opposition to the war.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.