1959-01-24 — Page 6

E

Page

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JANUARY - 24, 1959.

Randolph Churchill

SHORTLY after 10

a.m.

I (Egyptian maintain that seldom

time) on November 6 the airborne assault on Port Said and Port Fuad was launched.

Six hundred men of the British 3rd Parachute Bat. talion plus 16th Parachute Brigade H.Q., under the command of Brigadier M. A. H. Butler, descended on Gamal Airfield, west of Port Said. Near the water- works, to the south of the town, 500 men of the 2eme Regiment Parachutiste Coloniaux were dropped.

Both landings were successful. The paratroops met with only light, though secinte, opposition.

The French quick- Jy secured Intact one

of their chief ob- jectives, the water-

works, and went on

to advance into Part Fund.

troops been

left in so feckless a plight...

left!

SUEZ

The British had talten Gamel vans declaiming: "Soviet MIG Airfeld by 11 am, and were will be here soon. Londra unY, / heading eastwards towards Por! Paris have been

bomo Sold.

atomic rockets, The Third World War las begun."—At the same time, armis were distri buted to civiilung from lorries and from arms dumps in th. streets.

Contact

have

Mediterranean Sea

British paratroops capture airfield

miles

GAMAL AIRFIELD

French paratroops seize bridges

تان

More French

PORT SAID

Block- ships

TOWN

STATION.

SPORT FUAD

paratroops here

Road and railway!

* to Ismailia

SUEZ CANAL

marched to Cairo would take place, but that they would have could move caslly forward to or at least to lemallik. Sir Anthony's proclaimed

"This is the

one great Jectives, Ismallla and Suez.

ut my life, and you remorse But as it gradually dawned may be quite sure I shall not on the commanders and the make a mistake like that again." troeps of the Icoding

detach-

ments thut this was no tem- porary halt but a Anal resting place, bewilderment and incre- dully turned to rage.

At five o'clock in the after- ngon the loen! Egyptian com- It became elenr that steget mander in Port Fund contacted fighting in the narrow alleyways the commanding, officer of the of Port Said would take many French parachutists to discuss hours, and that the trading surrender terms on behalf of the planned for the following reo Governor and military com- ing would be opposed. Especial- munder of Port Said, He was y dangerous to British troops referred to Brigadier Butler, were the Russian recoltless SU who at 5.30 p.m. ordered a 100 anti-tank guns, The French ceasefire while aesotiations meanwhile had fulfilled their were in progress, Surrender part of the pisu by capturing terms were agreed, and in some Port Fuad during the night, and parts of the town the Egyptian they were now heading south forces began to lay down their long the cansoway to Innalila,

The next day, at 0.40 am, the main Anglo-French force land- ed at Port Said. The assault was preceded by no acrfal bombard- ment, and by only 40 minutes" fire ram destroyers. Despite the tough fighting which many marshes troups encountered in the centre of the city, most of Port Said lands by mid- was in allied afternoon.

arms.

But Fanguine expectations were soon bankrupt. The cense- Are was only local, und even that did not last long.

A danger

the

What had gone wrong in Port Sold? As soon as the Governor of the city had approached Anglo-French commander, Colonel Rouchti, the chler of pollet, a tougher character, telephoned Cairo. He was told that the battle was to be con- tinued, if necessary until Port Said lay in ruins.

An air attack on Navy House just before dusk served to des- tray one of the last centres of resistance.

But by that time the allied commanders had received new orders to cease Bre that night.

The

At 0.30 pm. operations were* The ceasefire becane effective

and the fighting for at midnight on Tuesday. resumed, the first time became fierce and British and French troops had, bitter. For touring the streets perhaps somewhat naively, as- of Port Said were loudspeaker sumed that no more shooting

.BY. THE . WAY

by Beachcomber

And the staff of the higher commands became seriously concerned for the safety of tho 8,600 troops which they had dropped and landed.

Tied up

астоза

Rejected

Ironlently, the Isrnells had done their best to prevent their allies for chemirs as they were pretending to be) from blundering into such a dunger- ously exposed strategic and politicnt position,

Battle plan by JOHN BODLE

through the Iarnell lines while the Ismell Troopa withdrew. Again the reply was **NO***

that would be collusion,

'No' again

So then, finally, the Israeli High Command mado

its simplest suggestion. As Israeli troops were in such a good poslion, let them capture the Anglo-French objectives along On November 3-before the the Canal--Port Said, Ikmallia, Anglo-French land operations and so on. Then the Anglo-

place the the had laken

Israeli French troops could intervene The causeway

from Port Sald to High Command, in view of the and the Israelis would hand SUCCCAS of their these objectives over to them. Kantara is 26 miles long. When speed and

had made three Dut' again the reply was the the ceasefiro became effective operation,

which same—“No.”... leading elements of the British successive suggestions and French troops were eight provided new alternatives to the miles from Kantara. Compelled original plan. to halt, they would have been in a tactical situation extreme First they proposed that the danger if Nasser should have Israeli troops should be supplied

to employ querilla with French uniforms. warfare against them.

when their troops had seized the Canal the French could say They had a man of veliicles that their advance parties hat which could not deploy off the in fact already reached one of causeway and which because of the objectives of the campaign, the

could hardly The Anglo- French congestion

military turn round and retreat. Five leaders repudiated this ingeal dctermined Egyptians could ous suggestion. That, they were have blown one of the culverts Instructed, would be collusion. under the enuseway, and several thousand men would have been like cut flowers in a vase.

decided

Thus

So then the Israells suggested that British and French paratroops could be dropped cafronting immediately behind the Israell Ceneral Keightley was still front-lre troops and then towards the Canal

U

The situation

THE crack regiment of Jar- the quartik, measure of skew-

mess of a frequency distribution (Q3-M)--(M—QI) Over

where (Q3–GW)

M is the median, and Q1 and Q3 are the lower and upper quartiles." I have not invented one single word of this.

goneers charged again the other day, A

።። civil servazit asked for defnition of "upper quartile He was given it!--

"The upper quartile is one of the three variate-values which separate the total frequency of

a distribution Into four equal parts. As thus defined, the The Tibetan Venus

for

worse,

A mass of men and advance material was tied up in a tiny areu pround Port Said without any form of effective delence.

Defence

The runways at Gamal eft- field were long enough to accommodat Aghters, and the only possible defence of all British and French shipping quartiles are subject to some

again (7)rowded into Port Said and Port lædeterminancy

discon-

Fuad end all the vehicles, tanks, tous distributions, resolved by #ŢIE

and troops in the area around of the warmongera THE allocating a frequency, partly to

Wes!" said

Dingl-Poos, was from two aircraft carriers, and Theseus, which the left and partly to the right "pretend to believe

that this Ocean

between them could put into the of its variate-value, or by fixa- conning factory is મ rocket tion at some point in the range ite! Well, here are the rockets, als 70 aircraft of Wyvern of arbitrary rule."

Mr Zali." She and Egham Sea Hawk type.

Obviously

more

than

and

but

were walking round the

The Egyption Air Force, it is factory. She pointed to a shed tree, had been destroyed, filled with enormous packing- what of the 25 Russian Ilyushin HAVING digested that, the

cases labelled "Peas," Abombers which had flown away servant, probably became bespectacled man who looked from Egypt via Saudi Arabia jess civil. The defnion con-

like a scientist Also, the measure of canner came

The and were now in Syria? tinues;

out of 11 large eed of the Royal Navy dispersion based upon the dif- room crammed with instru-ughter was 303 miles an hour, ference between certain ments. Egham was on the the s, zed of the Ilyushins was representative values of the

niles an hour; and variate QD-14 (Q3-01), while alert. The man said to Dingi- 500

loos. "We have an order for no one could tell what the 160 gross of cans from Pakistan, Russians would do.

POCKET CARTOON

by OSDERT LANCASTER

"It must be a grant porsjort

to them to be so good'at

Cordón,

and the lins have arrived for

4110 Turkish "Very warlike,

she

Seldom in consignment."

the history have forces of two 17 Isn't

great Powere been Jeftin BO fack.com and sald to Egham, who Was puzzled. Why had be been perilous a situation.

pent on

this wild goose chase? Everywhere he looked, he saw nothing but receptacles Inbelled "Pras.".

"Where did you get that

BEA

Anger

The soldiers did not trouble

to hide their anger and disap- pointment. Only four days later face?" Brigadier Butler, now back in

Д

Cyprus, made what was, for EAUTY today is not even serving soldier, a remarkably skin-deep, and sono women forthright statement: "I felt of tasto will be able to buy an frustrated about the midnight Entire plastic faco-surface. | cemeŭro, borzase. I knew ww Filst eyebrows were not could have gone a long, long- enough. You can not get false long way. We believed we could eyelashes (to match your wig, have raced through Kantara to presurably), Falan noses are Ismailla at the latest by lunch- sure to follow, and then falso|| time.” ears, and stained-glass eyes

to give the "angelle look." And mong thần. 1 month One riotous hoslaw is already jster General Man), who was

in command of the. that, har fva-

French womplaining guinon, chin cracked, fi first airborne forosa, spike to me, in lime it was WOTE Algiers with bitterness LOUIris, pour stre, talde, au utampered by the pawing our Liane de Pouty said when t Cleo de Maroda

Marquie

Of course the reason that Britain and France were unable take advaninge of any

of 10 these three attractive sugges- tlons was that they were the Prisoners of their own hypo-

and critical

disingenuous ultimatum.

Isracti

10

IF I MAY INTERRUPT MYSELF

-to deal with a lady!

MY Suez story has already prompted considerable criticism, both from those who have only read the first few instal- ments and also, in some cases, from friends of mine who have read the whole of the Suez chapters in extenso,

It will obviously be impossible for me to reply to all my crilics. One lotter came from a woman friend in close touch with the political scene. She read the complete text with great enre.

Though the does not spelt very well, she has a good and clear mind, and I thought it right to reply to her in some delal.

M

-By Randolph Churchill

fore you criticise their conduct?

muke out a sirong case for abolishing the very expensive system of compulsory free educa- tion which we have had for 30 years and which you think renders them incapable of dis- cerning truth from falsehood,

Since

* *

you predict that on second thoughts no one will "be- public leave (sic) it," I do not follow aubsidiary point that no harm will be done here (except * to the Tory Party)." It no ono

YOUT

Since many of the points she raised have also been raised by other friends and by mem- berz of the public, it may be for the general convenience, and help to clear the air if I publish

of crities who would say: "De You continue by spining that my reply. Here it is;---

martu's nii nisi bonum"" (or abroad ""it will be a diferent Thank you for your letter ankum" as someone wittily story. .and that it will do and for all the trouble you added)?

considerable damage." Why is have taken in reading my that the

Of course, I fully understand this? Because foreigners Jaro general view of the cleverer than our win fellows Suox chapters.

propertled classes is that prec- countrymen? Because they are. ten about public events at all, tically nothing should be write more gullible, or because my credibility stands higher abroad any time, lest it should have a than at home? disturbing effect on somebody or other.

If all criticism is, al ́your be- believes that I have written the hest, to be stifled until the grave, truth how can it be harmful to

then one would encounter a set anyone except myself?

your compliments as I was for I was as grateful to you for your criticisms; though I doubt whether either are well judged,

The long and short of it is You say you thing it "brutal"

that the truth will out, sooner that the book should be publish- You refer to what you call "a or later. The trouble. is

that cd while Anthony la stili alive; more serious aspect-collusion, most people prefer lles to the but he might easily live for but add that "the British puble truth. many more years. Is it your

will comfort themselves } view that in that event total by thinking it is only specula- silence should be observed on tion on my there grave matters?

part." 1 am not I consider truth the buckler sure whether the British public of all other virtues, and that If that is so, surely Anthony are quite as stupid as some poll- without I all other virtues are ought not to be writing about ticians in both parties' suppose, dross. them himself? Did you think it I was brought up on my grand- would not have written at "brutal" of Lord Alanbrocke father's slogan: "Trust the such length it I had not ap- and General Kennedy to criti- people,"

preciated the trouble you had cise my father while he is still "Of course, if the public are as taken in reading the book, and alive?

stupid as you seem to think they if I did not think that you pos- And in general do you think are, there is all the greater need sessed a mind capable of reflect- It honourable to wait till people for enlightening them.

ing upon the foregoing and pro- ere dead and cannot reply be- Alternatively, you scem to filing from it.

ROUND

UP

Welsh Music For Hongkong Mystery Of War Medals

Having made a mock show of

AFTER 40 years, 22 Army and Navy silver anger and disapprobation of the attack, and

JELSHMEN in Hongkong will hear their A medals, inscribed "Presented for sacrifices having W issued the ultimatum to them

native songs over the island's radio net- in the Great War, 1914-1918" have been dis- how desist,

work on St. David's Day, March 1. They will covered in a cardboard box at the town hall, could they

The words "Mother's Medal" logically connive nt

be from records sent by Mr & Mrs John Phillips, Kidderminster. these Amaginative proposals?

of Caerphilly to their son Arthur who is district appear on some of the medals indicating that electrician engineer for the China Light they were probably intended for familles of and Power Company. The records which will men killed in action. Who gave the medals. be heard aro "Y Delyn Aur" sung by the Mor how many were issued and why the last 22 riston Male Voice Choir, and the Royal Welsh remained unclaimed nobody knows. The medals Singers' recording of "Sospan Fach" and "Hen are being stored in a strong room in case any Wind fy Nhadau.”

claimants turn up.

TUESDAY:

Why Britain Quit

FOUR D. JONES

IT IS INEVITABLE THAT THE MISSILE FINDS ITS MARK...

FERDINAND

HELP/

IT'S GOT ME.

I GIVE UP.

HELP/

`BRICK_BRADFORD

HOW IS BRICK? AND WHAT DO YOU

MEAN, WHAT LOND, OF LIFE WILL HA LIVE 1

-13A BORRY, OR HYER.. MAYER I CONDEMNED. NGUI, IN MY OWN MİNE FOR WHAT HAS HAPIN TO BRADFORD).

THATE ALL BIBIT

BUT HOW

AND FINALLY, COMES TO REST ACROSS THE BRIM OF THE COWBOYS HAT.

by MADDOCKS

OH MY! THE SKY FELL ON ME, AND I'M ALIVE AN KICKIN'

TO TELL THE

TALE.

Sheriffers

(NEW BALLPOINT WITH EXCLUSIVE

STERLING SILVER TIP

PATIENCE.

By Mik

By Paul Norris

MASINS SKINS CONFRED, IN BECAUSE, AN ARBA BG SMALL. YOU CAN - /· OK, BARIS, É

· MOVE HAVING THREE-THANK YOU ARE

OKLY FILLING UNDULN AMARAN MAND KNOWING, BRADFORD VA DOEN IS FILLINGSSTHE ONLY MAN

air

SWISSAIR

AUSTIN

INDUSTRY

PHYSICAL

COULD HAVI