Operation Musketeer

[Sunray]

Better known as the Suez Crisis.


Its Zero Hour,  5 November,1956, British and French paras invade Egypt, dropping in on three DZs with Royal Marines in one of the first helicopter assaults (45 Commando). They capture the Gamil airfield  (Port Said) and hold the bridges until the main force - Centurions plus 42 and 40 Commando  storm ashore on 6th at Casino Pier.  You could not make it up.

Get this, the DZ at Gamil - scene of the first action was "1600 meters x 600meters and bounded on both sides by water" -  never was a real battle so neatly made for table top.

The British Paras are still in wartime pattern Dennison smock and .303/9mm small arms . Trousers were the ligher tropical tan. French Indo China figures will pass muster. The Egyptians had just been equipted by the Eastern Block- BR152s, T34s, SU100s and still some M4 Shermans and Archer 17 pdrs from past.  In this scale plenty of  Russian figures should paint up well, supplimented by the odd DAK and figure in a beret.  Other kit can include Landrovers (early marks) AMX 13s and Westland Wessex (standing in for Whirlwind).   In the air,  Cyprus based Hunters tangled with Mig 15s and 17s. (available in 1/144).


It has the makings of a very enjoyable game. BKC rules are good, with an addition for the Centurion.  At least 95% of the kit is already in Pendraken store...or arriving soon!  I have played it in 1/300 and the consensus was that "it was a much better game than Korea" - mainly because of the open flat terrain, the shanty town and the tight killing grounds of Gamil which convert well to the table with features such as the airfield, the sewage farm and the cemetery all strung out along the 1/2 mile wide strip.  The French fire fight at the Raswa bridges is not unlike Arnhem in minature. When  6 RTR relieved them, they pushed on together as far as El Tina

A few more Royal Marine Commando types in a beret would be useful....hint hint.

Sunray out

[Techno]

If they come up....
I think I know someone who'd like to make those Leon.

[Steve J]

Thanks for the info Sunray. Never considered Suez before, but now added to the list .

[nikharwood]

Me too - sounds fun 

[Sunray]

My son has pointed out that WW2 Russians have the traditional blanket roll.  This needs to be carved or filed away.  On the other hand BR161/162 will paint up nicely as Egyptians.  I have also sourced images of Egyptian infantry in a turban style headgear, not unlike SCW Army of Africa.  For Rep. Guard I will use British commando figures.  I will probally end up doing a few head conversions to get a playable battle group.

There is an Osprey book on the conflict but any images of Egyptian 1956 infantry would be useful.

Sunray Out