British Infantry Establish Airfield Defensive Perimeter
Paul Crook deployed troops around the captured airfield to protect the landing zone against nearby Egyptian positions.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1956 in Great Britain — Page 8
Explore 627 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1956.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1956
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November
British Paratroopers Capture El Gamil Airfield
Charles Keightley's allied command deployed the British Third Parachute Battalion to seize El Gamil airfield west of Port Said.
British Paratroopers Drop Over El Gamil
Paul Crook's battalion parachuted onto El Gamil airfield during the opening ground phase of the Anglo-French assault.
El Gamil Airfield
Leads 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in the assault on El Gamil Airfield
El Gamil Airfield
3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment drops at El Gamil Airfield and secures a base for follow-on forces
El Gamil Airfield Secured
Crook's 3 Para secures El Gamil airfield and establishes a base for reinforcement.
El Gamil Battalion Holds Against Egyptian Resistance
Paul Crook's paratroopers faced Egyptian resistance while maintaining control of the airfield and nearby ground.
El Gamil Force Advances Toward Port Said
Paul Crook's battalion moved east from the airfield toward the outskirts of Port Said after establishing its initial foothold.
El Gamil Perimeter Defended
Crook's paratroopers defend the captured airfield perimeter while reorganising after the drop.
Financial Warning Reaches Cabinet During Offensive
Harold Macmillan warned of severe sterling pressures while the government weighed the consequences of continuing the military operation.
First Postwar British Battalion Parachute Assault
Crook leads 3 Para in Britain's first battalion-sized combat parachute assault since the Second World War.
Fleet Prepares to Reinforce El Gamil Advance
Robin Durnford-Slater's fleet readied the assault ships needed to reinforce the airborne forces operating around Port Said.
Ground Assault Phase Opened
Stockwell opens the ground phase of the Anglo-French assault after airborne forces establish initial positions.
Ground Headquarters Tracks Airborne Advance
Hugh Stockwell's headquarters monitored the progress from El Gamil toward Port Said while preparing the following day's amphibious operation.
Huddersfield Town Management Appointment
After coaching Huddersfield Town reserves, Shankly took control of the first team and worked to develop players and improve competitive performances.
Labour Antiwar Campaign Reaches National Audience
Hugh Gaitskell's opposition gained wider attention as newspapers covered the Trafalgar Square rally and public disputes over Suez.
Labour Links Suez to Weakened Western Unity
Harold Wilson's opposition criticized Britain's intervention for dividing Western opinion while Hungary's uprising was being suppressed.
Newspapers Report Eden Must Go Protest
Aneurin Bevan's speech and the crowd's demand for the prime minister to resign received prominent newspaper attention following the rally.
Parachute Units Gather After Scattered Landings
Paul Crook's men reorganized their companies and equipment after the drop, bringing the battalion into a defensible formation.
Paratroop Landing
British paratroops land at El Gamil Airfield as the ground phase of the operation begins
Paratroopers Advance from El Gamil
Crook moves 3 Para from El Gamil toward Port Said after the airfield has been secured.
Paratroopers Clear Airfield for Reinforcement Aircraft
Paul Crook's force cleared the landing area for arriving aircraft, enabling the airborne foothold to receive additional personnel and equipment.
Port Said Landing
Commands Anglo-French ground forces landing at Port Said
Port Said Naval Gunfire Directed
Durnford-Slater directs naval gunfire supporting the assault on Port Said.
Royal Marines Embark for Port Said
Moulton prepares Royal Marine commandos for the amphibious phase of the assault.
Seven Hour Clearance Opens Airfield Access
Paul Crook's troops secured and cleared El Gamil for incoming aircraft within several hours of the initial drop.
Siege of El Gamil Airfield
The 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment drops at El Gamil Airfield, establishing a secure base for incoming support aircraft & reinforcement
Suez Canal
Paratroops land to recover the canal Eden says is vital if Britain is not to starve
Suez Canal
The 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment drops at El Gamil Airfield, establishing a secure base for incoming support aircraft & reinforcement
Suez Crisis
Goes on television and denounces Eden's conduct of the Suez crisis, calling for his resignation
Treasury Urges Attention to Currency Emergency
Harold Macmillan emphasized the danger posed by a worsening sterling crisis while allied forces prepared the Port Said landing.
Advance Down Canal Stops After Ceasefire
Charles Keightley's forces stopped their planned movement south of Port Said before the whole canal could be occupied.
Advance Halted by Ceasefire
Keightley orders forces to stop advancing when political leaders accept the ceasefire.
Advance Halted Under International Ceasefire
Hugh Stockwell's forces halted their forward movement following the ceasefire that ended the immediate Anglo-French offensive.
Air Support Accompanies Port Said Ground Advance
Denis Barnett's aircraft continued supporting the forces that had landed near El Gamil and along the coast.
Air Support Continues over Canal Zone
Barnett keeps air support available as ground forces advance along the northern canal zone.
Allied Advance Stopped after Ceasefire Decision
Keightley implements political orders ending the offensive while Allied ground forces are still advancing south from Port Said.
Allied Commander Receives Stop Advance Orders
Charles Keightley implemented orders to stop the southward advance of British and French troops in Egypt.
Amphibious Assault Authorised
Keightley authorises the seaborne assault reinforcing forces already fighting around Port Said.
Amphibious Phase Released
Keightley directs the transition from airborne operations to the main amphibious assault on the canal-zone cities.
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.