Last days at Aden, 1967

Arab nationalism had become a more potent political factor after Suez in 1956 and the revolution in Yemen in 1962. Yemeni influence resulted in the rising in the Radfan and, although contained by British troops and Federal forces in 1964, it fostered the rise of other groups.

Freedom Fighters

FLOSY (Federation for the Liberation of South Yemen) received support from Aden and surrounding areas and NLF (The National Liberation Front) was supported by Egypt. Both of these organisations were united in opposition to the British but also fiercely opposed to each other in their wish to control South Arabia.

The terrorist campaign began in December 1964; from 286 incidents in 1965, to 510 in 1966 it escalated to 2,900 in 1967. British troops were committed to keep order prior to the final withdrawal. Any success against the terrorists in 1965 was negated by the Government White Paper of 1966, which announced Britain’s intention to give up Aden as a base by 1968. This encouraged the terrorists to escalate their campaign.

Bahrain

In 1967 the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment were based in Bahrain. On 10 March ‘B’ Coy, were transferred to Aden to serve under the command of 3rd battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment as a fourth rifle company. They operated in Sheik Uthman and Al Mansura; townships of modern rough concrete buildings ten miles north of Aden town. The Company was based at Radfan camp in tents.

In May, ‘A’ Company replaced ‘B’ Coy. 2 Platoon was called in to assist in a follow-up operation after a nearby military piquet had been fired on. As their Bedford 3 tonner was passing an area known as ‘grenade corner’ in Sheik Uthman a terrorist threw a Russian RG4 grenade into the back of the Bedford, which exploded on impact injuring six of the eleven soldiers in the back. Despite this the Platoon including some of its wounded members, chased after the terrorist, who escaped into the back streets of Sheikh Uthman. For his gallantry and leadership Staff Sergeant Atkinson received the Military Medal.

Paras take over

1st battalion The Parachute Regiment took over from The Anglians as the resident Battalion at the end of May. KORBR continued to provide a Company to the Paras. On 1 June ‘A’ Company fired 1,945 rounds and were on the receiving end of 14 shooting incidents, two mortar rounds, two hand grenades and one Energa anti-tank grenade during the day. They killed two terrorists, wounded one and captured two others in the act of escaping and throwing their weapons over a wall. 6 June, the first day of the Six Day Arab-Israeli War was a day of shooting incidents; the Mortar Platoon killed at least three terrorists.

June

The increased terrorist activity caused the Paras to introduce a new tactical concept whereby Sheik Uthman companies operated from two fortified bases in the town. ‘Fort Walsh’ was a converted mission hospital. It provided a strike force, the manpower for four rooftop observation posts dominating the town and a patrol base. The other at Bayoomi College, protected and incorporated the vulnerable and frequently attacked ‘Checkpoint Golf’.

On 7 June ‘C’ Company took over serving under command of the Paras. The Company suffered its first casualty on 9 June. The worst time for terrorist activity seemed to be between 1800 and 2100 hours, which became rather inappropriately termed ‘Happy Hour’.

National Guard Mutinies

Early on 20 June firing was heard in Champion Lines, 300 yards south of Radfan Camp. Part of the Federal National Guard (FNG) had mutinied following a rumour that four of their leading officers had been arrested and dismissed. The mutineers broke into their armoury and taken rifles, Bren guns and ammunition.

One platoon was sent to one of the check-points to prevent any Federal troops coming from their barracks east of Sheik Uthman to join in. They turned back a Company of FNG, who were sure that their comrades were being attacked. Following a request from the South Arabian Government at around 1000 the Company, who were the Paras only available reserve, were ordered to secure the guard-room and main armoury in the Lines and protect the British officers attached to the FNG, who were besieged in the Camp.

The orders were not to fire on the Arab troops unless absolutely necessary in case it caused major unrest. Supported by a troop of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards in Saladin armoured cars, Major David Miller approached the Lines with a small group in a Saracen to make contact with the Senior British officer in the Camp.

However, the situation worsened and the Company was ordered to move in. As soon the convoy of six Bedford 3 tonners left Radfan Camp the vehicles came under fire from the barracks and Private Ferguson, the machine-gunner in the leading 3 tonner, was hit and killed. Eight more were wounded in the vehicles, or as they tried to debus before the Company gained access to the Camp. Despite this the men stuck to their orders and did not open fire unless absolutely necessary.

The guard-room and main entrance to the Camp was secured and then the armoury. Lance Corporal Vickers, an Royal Corps of Transport driver, and Private John Dickinson received a Mention in Despatches for their gallantry having volunteered to drive and escort a badly wounded man back in an armoured 3 tonner. The Company had remained under fire during the operation in the Lines, but their deployment quickly restored order. The lives of several British officers seconded to the FNG were saved and the action prevented the mutiny spreading to other areas of Aden and the Federation.

‘C’ Company finally withdrew at 1530 hours. David Miller was awarded an Military Cross for the action. During this action fire from Champion Lines was also directed towards Radfan Camp and killed a local civilian, a British Official of the Public Works Department and killed 2nd Lieutenant Young 1st battalion The Lancashires as he directed perimeter defence in Radfan Camp. No fire was returned from Radfan Camp. A vehicle party of 60 Squadron RCT working on the nearby ranges at Khormaksar to the west of Radfan Camp suffered seven killed and five wounded.

On 28 June soldiers from the Drums Platoon whilst working with ‘D’ Company the Paras, shot and apprehended an NLF terrorist, who had escaped from a house after killing two FLOSY men. The workload was eased when the Lancashire Regiment took over responsibility for patrolling in Al Mansura July. Never the less on 15 July five members of ‘C’ Company were wounded in a grenade attack.

August

‘B’ Company came to Aden to replace ‘C’ company in August. On 9 August a patrol was lured by a suspect vehicle into the centre of Sheik Uthman. The vehicle was rapidly abandoned leaving the patrol in a narrow street exposed to cross-fire from six automatic weapons, two of which were fired from the truck. The truck was destroyed by 76mm shells fired from Saladin armoured cars by a half troop of the Queen’s Own Hussars. Corporal Allan Brown was shot and killed during the engagement.

During the next 48 hours the Company was subjected to 80 separate attacks by anti-tank rockets, machine guns, rifles, grenades, mortars and mines. In September ‘A’ Company returned for its second tour. ‘C’ Company came back on 7 October and after a week on the defensive line moved to Steamer Point to provide an extra company for 42 Commando Royal Marines. Fortunately, the Company suffered no casualties whilst patrolling in an area known as ‘The Crescent’ in Tawahi.

The NLF and FLOSY were now fighting each other as well as the British. ‘C’ Company from their observation posts witnessed the fierce inter-factional fighting, as the NLF tried to eradicate their FLOSY rivals.

November and out

The final British withdrawal took place in November. As other troops withdrew from the Colony, ‘C’ Company remained with 42 Commando to cover the withdrawal and the hand over to the South Arabian Army.

42 Commando handed over Tawahi and then moved to ‘Pennine Chain’ the defensive line protecting Khormaksar airfield on 27 November, whilst ‘C’ Company protected Steamer point and the British Diplomatic Mission until the final handover. Men of KORBR formed part of the tri-service guard for the departure of The British High Commissioner Sir Humphrey Trevelyan. The guard were then moved by helicopters of 848 Squadron RN to join 42 Commando in the defence of Radfan Camp. At 1345 hours on 30 November 1967 ‘C’ Company were the last Army troops to leave Aden when they were airlifted by helicopter onto the carrier HMS Albion and then transferred by landing craft to the LST Empire Guillemot for the voyage back to Bahrain.

Sad reckoning

The tour cost the Battalion 33 casualties: Private Ferguson and Corporal Brown killed; Private Bilewicz (killed in an accident whilst training in Muscat); and 30 wounded.

Picture ©IWM

Text from the Archive of

Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, edited by Peter Green