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Suez: The Forgotten Invasion
One of the most significant events in British history, the Suez Crisis heralded the end of the British Empire. When Britain joined forces with France and Israel to invade Egypt in an attempt to regain control of the Suez Canal from President Nasser in 1956, the country was still holding onto its status as the world’s biggest superpower. Within days, the conflict would be over and Britain would emerge humiliated, politically weakened and on the verge of economic crisis. Why did Britain ignore all warnings from the US, the Soviet Union and the United Nations? Why did Prime Minister Anthony Eden run such a personal crusade against Nasser? And why was Britain – then the foremost military power in the world – so ill-prepared compared to their French allies? Following the new release of classified government documents, Robert Jackson’s book investigates these pertinent questions. In a climate where politicians are still quick to rush to war, this story is essential reading.
- GenresHistory
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1980
55 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Robert Jackson
239 books54 followersRobert Jackson was born in 1941 in the North Yorkshire village of Melsonby. A former pilot and navigation instructor, his active involvement with aviation lasted many years. Following his retirement from the RAFVR in 1977 as a squadron leader, he became a full-time aviation writer and aerospace correspondent and lectured extensively on strategic issues. He speaks five languages, including Russian, and has written more than forty nonfiction works on military affairs. He is also the author of the popular Yeoman and SAS fiction series.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 24, 2016
Rather dry account of the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Originally published in 1980 Robert Jackson has appeared to have tapped the official histories from the British and French armed forces to compile this rather dry account of the build-up and military operations.
The narrative is quite clipped and not that friendly to the general reader with focus mainly on the military aspects from a British and French viewpoint. It also does give an albeit brief but even handed approach to the political reasons for the crisis.
I was hoping that in this 60th anniversary year of Suez an author would provide much more detail on the civilian experience as well as insight and view from the Egyptian side.
Worth a read for anyone wanting to know some detail on the British and French military aspects Suez Crisis, but don’t expect any insightful analysis.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Originally published in 1980 Robert Jackson has appeared to have tapped the official histories from the British and French armed forces to compile this rather dry account of the build-up and military operations.
The narrative is quite clipped and not that friendly to the general reader with focus mainly on the military aspects from a British and French viewpoint. It also does give an albeit brief but even handed approach to the political reasons for the crisis.
I was hoping that in this 60th anniversary year of Suez an author would provide much more detail on the civilian experience as well as insight and view from the Egyptian side.
Worth a read for anyone wanting to know some detail on the British and French military aspects Suez Crisis, but don’t expect any insightful analysis.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 2, 2019
Not about Suez at all!!
Apart from a brief reference to the Suez debacle itself the author writes about the logistics and overall performance of the tripartite invasion forces, i.e. The campaign itself. The release of documents surely must have contained a lot about the politics, the decisions and the motivation behind the invasion of Egypt.
Several errors or deliberate distortions are made by the author. He says Nasser fired all the canal's pilots. It was the invaders who called there nationals to leave, hoping to demonstrate that Egypt would fail to run it after nationalization . The Greek pilots refused and stayed on to help keep the canal open.
He repeatedly refers to the resistance to the invaders by the local militia as terrorists.because they harassed them.
Nasser had actually prepared sinkable structures for use in anticipation of exactly such an event.
He also hardly mentions the debacle of this ill thought out action that brought about the end of Anthony Eden.
All in all a thoroughly biased and obfuscated account of a shameful incident that backfired as confirmed by the newspapers and public opinion of the invading countries at the time.
Apart from a brief reference to the Suez debacle itself the author writes about the logistics and overall performance of the tripartite invasion forces, i.e. The campaign itself. The release of documents surely must have contained a lot about the politics, the decisions and the motivation behind the invasion of Egypt.
Several errors or deliberate distortions are made by the author. He says Nasser fired all the canal's pilots. It was the invaders who called there nationals to leave, hoping to demonstrate that Egypt would fail to run it after nationalization . The Greek pilots refused and stayed on to help keep the canal open.
He repeatedly refers to the resistance to the invaders by the local militia as terrorists.because they harassed them.
Nasser had actually prepared sinkable structures for use in anticipation of exactly such an event.
He also hardly mentions the debacle of this ill thought out action that brought about the end of Anthony Eden.
All in all a thoroughly biased and obfuscated account of a shameful incident that backfired as confirmed by the newspapers and public opinion of the invading countries at the time.
May 16, 2023
Well written, authoritative, factual,
Proof once again that politicians of the world may send their military off to war but then cannot help but interfere with the military in their decisions, plans, and conduct to achieve the goals that caused the politicians to send them to war in the first place. When the politicians send in the military to obtain the goals that caused the war in the first place they should refrain from interfering with the military to such a degree that stifles their military. A well written book though perhaps too excessive with minor detail that tends to make the book dry in some areas.
Proof once again that politicians of the world may send their military off to war but then cannot help but interfere with the military in their decisions, plans, and conduct to achieve the goals that caused the politicians to send them to war in the first place. When the politicians send in the military to obtain the goals that caused the war in the first place they should refrain from interfering with the military to such a degree that stifles their military. A well written book though perhaps too excessive with minor detail that tends to make the book dry in some areas.
February 26, 2023
Published in 1980, 'Suez 1956: Operation Musketeer' tells the story of the joint military operation against Egypt undertaken by Great Britain and France. The account is very dry, devoid of any attempt to interpret the facts, laced with the occasional technical error and carefully avoids any detailed mention of the political situation and its aftermath. Still, there are not that many books on the subject and for many if would make a fair start.
March 20, 2018
Excellent summation of a failed incursion
This book is an excellent summation of failed adventure by two prime European players. Who failed to enlist the assistance of the USA in the venture, a enormous error on their part. If you were considering reading Keith Kyle's book SUEZ, which is excellent as well, this treatment will save you hours of reading
This book is an excellent summation of failed adventure by two prime European players. Who failed to enlist the assistance of the USA in the venture, a enormous error on their part. If you were considering reading Keith Kyle's book SUEZ, which is excellent as well, this treatment will save you hours of reading
November 4, 2022
This book was a disappointment. I expected a history of the politics of the invasion, & got a military history instead. But, it was short & free, so, not too bad, afterall.
February 3, 2016
Solid military history that lacks political angle
A very clear military History of Suez crisis easy-to-follow the various angles in the story but the book is largely silent on the political backstory to Suez. the author is clear that this is meant to be a purely military history but in the case of Suez not understanding what was going on in the political arena while the battles with being for leaves the reader feeling he is only read half the story
A very clear military History of Suez crisis easy-to-follow the various angles in the story but the book is largely silent on the political backstory to Suez. the author is clear that this is meant to be a purely military history but in the case of Suez not understanding what was going on in the political arena while the battles with being for leaves the reader feeling he is only read half the story
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews