Chapter Thirty-Eight
In March 1953, Soviet General Secretary Joseph Stalin suffered a stroke. Although Stalin survived, the stroke led him to gradually retreat from an active role in governing the Soviet Union.
In September 1953, the British and Iranian government came to a settlement over Iran's nationalization of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. Under the agreement, oil profits would be split 50/50 between Iran and Great Britain. The agreement greatly bolstered the position of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. In Britain, the agreement was harshly criticized by the Conservative opposition.
In the 1955 general election, the Labour Party managed to hold on to their majority in Parliament. Clement Attlee, after a decade as Prime Minister, stepped aside in favor of Chancellor of the Exchequer Hugh Gaitskell.
In July 1956, Egyptian dictator Gamal Abdel Nasser seized control of the Suez Canal. The move drew protests from Britain and France, who depended on the Canal for commerce. Prime Minister Gaitskell attempted to solve the crisis diplomatically, suggesting that the canal be turned over to United Nations control. Gaitskell's overtures were rebuffed by Nasser, and pressure for military action grew in Britain.
Finally, after securing an agreement of neutrality from US president Aiken-who in any case was preoccupied with domestic events-Gaitskell agreed to military action. On November 1, Britain, France, and Israel launched Operation Musketeer.
HMS Vanguard, HMS Malta and
HMS Africa, all fresh out of extensive modernization, were deployed to the eastern Mediterranean and launched airstrikes against Egyptian military and industrial targets with Westland Wyvern attack aircraft. The Wyverns were backed up by the Supermarine Scimitar fighter.
A Westland Wyvern prepares for takeoff from HMS Africa.
A Supermarine Scimitar in flight.
While the war raged in the air, British, French, and Israeli forces moved into the Canal area. By Christmas, the Anglo-French forces had re-established control over the canal. A desperate Nasser appealed to the Soviet Union for help, but Stalin-or more accurately, the bureaucrats governing in his name, demurred, wary of Nasser due to his past refusal to truly commit to the Warsaw Pact.
Finally, on New Year's Day 1957, the Egyptian government agreed to the terms originally laid out by Gaitskell. The Suez Canal was surrendered to control of the United Nations.
The victory in the Suez War was a great political victory for Gaitskell and the Labour Party, showing that they were committed to maintaining Britain's military strength.