On this Day 31 October 1956

Operation Musketeer was the name given to the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt that began on October 31st 1956. The invasion was prompted by the decision announced by the President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser on 26 July 1956 to nationalize the Suez Canal. The invasion took place in coordination with an Israeli armoured attack into the Sinai (Operation Kadesh).

Five Royal Navy aircraft carriers and sixteen Fleet Air Arm Squadrons took part. HMS OCEAN carried Army and RAF Whirlwinds which were also used during the helicopter assault on 6 November.

Although British and French military forces were able to quickly take control over the Canal's principal facilities, the Egyptians were able to sink ships and other obstacles in the Canal, making it unusable. The Sea and Airborne assaults were tactically successful but Suez was a political disaster. Following international condemnation and pressure, at 02:00 on November 7th 1956, Britain unilaterally declared a ceasefire. British forces withdrew entirely from the Egypt by 22 December and were replaced by a United Nations force.