Radfan Campaign

Radfan Campaign
Part of Aden Emergency
DateJanuary–May 1964
LocationRadfan
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
Federation Regular Army		 NLF
FLOSY
Radfan tribesman
Strength
over 1,000 troops
45 Royal Marine Commando
Royal Air Force

The Radfan Campaign was a series of British military actions during the Aden Emergency. It took place in the mountainous Radfan region near the border with Yemen. Local tribesmen connected with the NLF began raiding the road connecting with Aden with the town of Dhala.

In January 1964 the local army sent three battalions supported by the RAF to restore order. Trouble flared up again and in April British ground troops were sent in; by May they had taken the main rebel stronghold and the revolt had been suppressed. The NLF then switched its attention to Aden itself.[1]

The first operation in January was known as "Nut cracker". The second one was "Cap Badge".[2]

Edwards patrol

The best known action of the Campaign involved a patrol led by Captain Edwards on 29 April 1964 which came under the attack. It led to the death of Edwards and another soldier, Sapper John Warburton.[3] They were beheaded and their heads displayed in the Yemen Capital. [4][5][6]

British troops then attacked the area and succeeded in capturing rebel positions, although two more British were killed.[7][8]

The British went on to use tanks and jets in the fight.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Jim Keys, "Operation Stirling Castle", History Herald 21 November 2012 accessed 3 November 2013
  2. ↑ http://www.psywar.org/aden.php
  3. ↑ Aden Insurgency: The Savage War in Yeman 1962-67 by Jonathan Walker, Pen and Sword, 2014 p 100-102 accessed 25 Feb 2015
  4. ↑ "British Troops Flown To Aden.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 4 May 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Inquiries In 'Beheading'.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 5 May 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "2 Soldiers' Beheading Confirmed.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 16 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "BRITISH FORCES OVERRUN REBELS.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 7 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Britain Reinforcing Middle East Forces.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 8 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "JETS, TANKS STRIKE IN ARABIA.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 22 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015.

External links

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