Reports from the Korean War are still vivid in my mind … For three years the country was in turmoil as the Cold War heated up. And despite the fact that nearly five million people were killed, the bloodshed in Korea has become known as the Forgotten War. Britain’s Forgotten Wars with Tony Robinson V: Korea
‘We lost 1,106 troops, which is more than Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands put together.’ ibid. Alna Guy, Britain army
The UN force was made up from over 20 countries. ibid.
‘We can estimate that 40,000 troops and service personnel probably served in Korea during the three years of the conflict.’ ibid. historian
And so it comes to pass that in November 1950 Chinese forces pour into North Korea and change the entire complexion of the war. ibid.
What I was told was a lie … Mau-Mau represented a radical reaction to a series of economic, political and social changes brought about by the British rulers for their own gain … A bitter and bloody war had been fought on the way to Kenya’s independence. Britain’s Forgotten Wars with Tony Robinson VI: Mau-Mau
The British would rather choose to forget … The freedom fighters took an oath to expel the white man from their homeland. ibid.
Kenya had been colonised ever since the British East Africa Company arrived towards the end of the nineteenth century. ibid.
The workers were repressed while the land owners lived a life of luxury. ibid.
‘Kenya also had an apartheid system that was imported by the British and by white settlers.’ ibid. Anna Adima, York University
The British officially declared them to be terrorists. ibid.
In 1971 Britain withdrew from Bahrain, Qatar and the Sheikdoms that soon became the UAE. Secrets and Deals: How Britain Left the Middle East, caption, BBC 2022
‘Britain forced these regions, sheikdoms and emirates into unequal relations.’ ibid. Taqi Albaharna
‘They [British] interfered in the local administrations. They organised coups.’ ibid. Dr Wafa Alsayed
For 50 years the Arab states have been independent and increasingly rich. Only recently have historians here in the Gulf begun to examine the previous era when Britain’s influence was dominant. ibid.
‘Britain dominated the Gulf’s resources politically, economically, and financially.’ ibid. Albaharna
Britain moved its Persian Gulf residency to Bahrain after World War II … Britain was highly dependant on Arab oil. ibid.
1965: As a result of the uprising, dozens of Bahrainis were exiled or imprisoned. ibid.
Abu Dhabi: ‘The usual English story: They said members of the ruling family carried out the coup.’ ibid. Historian
The [UK] government prepared to slash spending and took a momentous decision: they would end Britain’s presence in the Gulf by 1971. ibid.
If Britain withdrew its troops, the Sheikhs would only have their local police for protection. ibid.
In February 1968 the rules of Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial states agreed in principle to unite their nine Sheikhdoms into a federation. ibid.
In June 1970 a new Conservative government comes to power in the UK. Just 18 months remain until Britain is to leave the Gulf. But the islands [Bahrain] problem is no closer to being solved. ibid.
1971: In August Bahrain and Qatar each declared independence. ibid.
‘Today virtually the same families are on the throne in each Emirate.’ ibid. English dude
Guerrilla warfare had broken out in Kenya. ibid.
The United Kingdom has deployed its armed forces for combat over 80 times for 47 countries since 1945. Declassified UK online article May 2023
This is the story of how the government of the United Kingdom decided to attack an Arab nation. Of how afraid its oil supplies were under threat it embarked on a strategy of regime change. Of how Britain deliberately bypassed the United Nations. And of how a British prime minister led the nation to war based on suspect intelligence. But this isn’t Iraq 2003. This is Egypt 1956. These are British paratroopers fighting on the orders of British prime minister Anthony Eden. The Other Side of Suez, BBC 2006
This is a war over who will run this Egyptian waterway, the Suez canal, and the vital oil supplies transported through it. ibid.
But in Nasser, Eden encounters a new kind of Arab leader. ibid.
The prime minister and the Americans decide to punish him for cutting a deal with the Soviets. Their response it to mount a covert campaign against Nasser, codenamed Omega. ibid.
Nasser knows that nationalisation is a huge risk. He will have to physically seize control of the canal itself. ibid.
In London, Eden is feeling the strain. He has failed to win the hearts and minds of the Egyptian people. Nasser is more popular than ever … Dealers all over the world dump Sterling. ibid.
The prime minister reluctantly calls a ceasefire ... Plans are made for United Nations’ troops to replace the British and French on the ground. The ceasefire is a humiliating climbdown for Eden and his commanders. ibid.