A landing craft tank at Port Said, 1956

Photograph, Suez Crisis (1956).

In 1956, British and French forces invaded Egypt in collusion with Israel. The original Anglo-French plan was to land at Alexandria and send an armoured column towards Cairo before heading for the canal at Port Said, Ismailia and Suez.

However, the shortage of landing craft caused the plan to be changed to a combined airborne and amphibious assault on Port Said followed by a drive down the canal.

On 6 November 1956, commandos of No. 40 and 42 Commando Royal Marines stormed ashore, using World War Two landing craft, including tank landing vessels like the example shown.

From album of 60 photographs compiled by an officer of The Glider Pilot Regiment, possibly Capt R E Pink, during Operation Musketeer, Nov-Dec 1956.