AT THE CARACOL

The photos shown on this page were sent to us by ex Military Policeman Ed McKie who now lives in Queensland, Australia.  Ed completed his MP training in December 1951 and originally was supposed to be posted to Germany but was changed and he ended up in the Canal Zone.  He served with 203 Provost Co at Moascar until May 1953 when he went to Port Said and did a couple of stints as DAPM's clerk and APM's clerk.

Soon after arriving in the Zone he bought a camera from someone who was being posted elsewhere and this camera contained an unfinished roll of film. By the time Ed had used all the film and had it developed the person he bought it from had gone and they never met again.  The seller had said that the film contained some shots of the storming of the Caracol.

It turns out that these photos are of greater interest than first thought, not only do they show the main combatants in that event, i.e. the Lancashire Fusiliers, the 4th Tank Regiment and the lightly armoured vehicles of The Royals, but also the RAF Police.  All previous photographs and documentaries indicate that only the Army were involved, but two of the photos show that some Royal Air Force Police, (the Snowdrops,) were also there.

Here are some of those photos.

A Centurian tank of the 4th Tank Regiment about to fire a warning shot into the Police Barracks.

 

The damage on the building and wall after the HE shells were fired

 

A tank and Light Armoured vehicle in support.

Egyptian Police casualties and prisoners being taken out by members of the Lancashire Fusiliers.

 

Royal Air Force Police forming a perimeter around the Egyptian Police barracks and questioning the prisoners.

 

British Troops enforced the subsequent curfew in Ismailia.

One of the Military Police Jeeps that was used.

 

Inside the entrance to Moascar Garrison.

203 Provost Company HQ, Moascar.

 

When Ed sent these photos he was in the process of getting his service information together to apply for his medal and Veterans lapel badge.
Thanks Ed for sharing these photos with us.

© Jock Marrs and Dick Woolley. September 2006.

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