The Suez Crisis 1956

Osprey Essential Histories #49

by Derek Varble

In July 1956 Egyptian President Gamal Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, causing immediate concern to Britain and France. They already opposed Nasser and were worried at the threat to maritime traffic in the Canal. This book traces the course of subsequent events. Together with Israel, Britain and France hatched a plot to occupy the Canal Zone and overthrow Nasser. Israel attacked Sinai, and Britain and France launched offensives throughout Egypt, but strategic failures overshasdowed tactical success. Finally, Britain, France and Israel bowed to international pressure and withdrew, leaving the Suez Canal, and Egypt, firmly in the hands of President Nasser.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Middle East, Egypt, Military History, France

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2003

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Suez Crisis 1956 by Derek Varble is part of a 'multi-volume history of war seen from political, tactical, cultural and individual perspectives'. Seen from that perspective, I'd say this specific book is more of a description of the tactical and military aspects of the Crisis.

In 1956, Gamal Nasser became predident of Egypt after a coup by Egypt's generals. He decided to nationalize the Suez Canal, a critical conduit for oil and supplies to England and Europe, which was struggling economically after WWII. Both England and France were investors in the Suez Canal Corporation, so this nationalization was also an economic blow on that front. For the French, Nasser was an additional threat as he was encouraging a pan-Arabic system and helping the Algerians try to throw off French rule in Algeria.

So politically, both England and France wanted Nasser to be overthrown so their strategy was to take back the Suez Canal. They hoped to get assistance from the Israelis, who were also feeling constant pressure from Arab countries. Israel was encouraged to attack through the Sinai Peninsula to assist in this overthrow of Nasser. There was some intrigue involved in this. The US, in the midst of a presidential election (Eisenhower's) didn't need a mid-east crisis to muddy the waters. They were pressuring England and France to make a diplomatic solution to the Suez crisis. England and France wanted Israel to invade, which would provide a pretext for them to intervene and take over control of the Suez and act as a supposed buffer between Egypt and Israel and at the same time protect their interests in the Suez.

Now that is the book at its simplest from a political perspective. The majority of the rest deals with the actual tactical battles that took place over the period of just a few days and the ultimate failure of the whole effort. It's an interesting book about a period of history of which I knew very little. It's provided me with a somewhat clearer picture but just the barest details. I'd like to know more about the whole political situation in France and England and even the US at this time and I think that a more comprehensive book would provide that. But, still, overall, it's piqued my interest and given me a nice overview. For someone who tended not to like history in school, a book like this makes me want to explore more. (3.0 stars)

[Marko Zanev · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives a really detailed timeline of the events that happened. For me, the maps could have been a little clearer and maybe even more detailed in explaining the events in the text.

[Sarah Sinclair]

Short historical account, focusing more on battles and happenings during the days of the crisis than geopolitical framing

[Bruinrefugee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent but not great encapsulation of a major turning point in the Middle East. It covers the details, but I felt it could do a better job of integrating those details into a whole.