Description

1956? Undated airmail envelope endorsed On Active Service to John Maye, South Brent, Devon from J.J. Maye, C.P.O. Tel, c/o F.O.F.’s STAFF (Fleet Officers flotila’s Staff) & c/o F.M.O. Malta with the only postal marking being a black triangle with I.S. (Inland Service) applied on arrival ………. In Jul 1956 President Nasser nationalised the Anglo/French Suez Canal Co. resulting in Britain & France conspiring with Israel to regain control. On 29 Oct Israel launched an attack & by 5 Nov the 16th Para Bde has secured Gamil airfield while other British forces were alerted. World opinion especially USA oppossed the action & on 8 Nov the UN ordered a ceasefire by which time the British/French forces had secured control as far as Ismalia. On 3 Dec British/French forces announced their withdrawal & on 7 Dec withdrew from the front line with the last British troops leaving Egypt 22 Dec……………A short lived campaign