Wars and ConflictsΒ permalink
Operation "Musketeer" Suez 1956
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Message 1.Β
Posted by spotxx56 (U3750187) on Thursday, 20th April 2006
What was the reason for "Operation Musketeer"?
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Message 2
Posted by OUNUPA (U2078829) on Thursday, 20th April 2006
A.Eden had come to the view that Naser was a sort of Arabic Mussolini when Naser went on the nationalization of the Suez Channel.Such things happened with A.Eden not in the first time.During the 30th he thought of Mussolini
as a more dangerous person for the peace in Europe than Hitler...
But instead of forcing Naser to go on negotiations ,when it became clear that for the military preparations to invade Egypt Britain requiring in the six weeks(!!!!), Eden made his mind to strike.Such idea was strongly supported by Frenchmen....the 4th French republic was on the brink of despair.They lost Vietnam,Tunis ....had their good chances to lose Morocco....+Naser was involved into the French-Algerian affairs. -
Message 3
Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Thursday, 20th April 2006
What was the reason for "Operation Musketeer"?Β
The British were concerned by the erosion of British influence in the Middle East, and the apparent growth of a Soviet presence (in Anglo-American planning, the Middle East was supposed to be Britain's responsibility). Nasser's support for nationalist movements was threatening the existing pro-British regimes.
The French were worried about Nasser's support for Algerian nationalists.
The nationalisation of the Suez Canal, in breach of international treaty, was the original causus belli, but the actual excuse for intervention was to "separate" the Egyptians and the Israelis (who were operating in collusion with the French and British).
The military lesson of "Musketeer" was that it would be better to act immediately with the forces available, rather than hang around negotiating and mobilising war establishment forces, and losing the initative. That lesson, of course, was put into practice 34 years later in the South Atlantic. -
Message 4
Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Thursday, 20th April 2006
Damn. 26 years later, not 34.
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Message 5
Posted by marduk-slayer of tiamat (U2258525) on Thursday, 20th April 2006
we forgive you
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Message 6
Posted by Turnwrest (U2188092) on Friday, 21st April 2006
The other lesson was "If the US says NO, the answer is NO".
The withdrawal from Suez under US pressure was probably the first time that British politicians really faced up to the fact that the UK was no longer a world power. -
Message 7
Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Friday, 21st April 2006
Or, alternatively:
"Don't expect a US President to back you in an unpopular move in an election year"
Mind you, that was a lesson we should have learned in 1948, if not 1916. -
Message 8
Posted by spotxx56 (U3750187) on Friday, 21st April 2006
Are there any details available on the web as to the actual conflict?
What was the reason for "Operation Musketeer"?Β
The British were concerned by the erosion of British influence in the Middle East, and the apparent growth of a Soviet presence (in Anglo-American planning, the Middle East was supposed to be Britain's responsibility). Nasser's support for nationalist movements was threatening the existing pro-British regimes.
The French were worried about Nasser's support for Algerian nationalists.
The nationalisation of the Suez Canal, in breach of international treaty, was the original causus belli, but the actual excuse for intervention was to "separate" the Egyptians and the Israelis (who were operating in collusion with the French and British).
The military lesson of "Musketeer" was that it would be better to act immediately with the forces available, rather than hang around negotiating and mobilising war establishment forces, and losing the initative. That lesson, of course, was put into practice 34 years later in the South Atlantic.Β -
Message 9
Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Friday, 21st April 2006
spotxx56
Depending on your specific interests, there are lots of websites. Forgive me for not identifying any in particular.
In terms of books, the best overall history is "Suez" by Keith Kyle (ISBN 0-312-06509-4)
Suez is a pet topic of mine, so happy to have a go at any specific questions.
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