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Military unit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
British Troops in Egypt was a command of the British Army.
British Troops in Egypt | |
---|---|
Active | 1882–1956 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Command |
Garrison/HQ | Cairo |
A British Army commander was appointed in the late 19th century after the Anglo-Egyptian War in 1882.[1] The British Army remained in Egypt throughout the First World War and, after the War, remained there to protect the Suez Canal.[1] Following Egypt's independence in 1922, the United Kingdom and Egypt entered into a treaty in 1936 whereby British troops remained to protect the canal and to train the Egyptian Army.[1]
HQ BTE occupied a garrison role while the Western Desert Campaign was fought against Italy and Germany during the Second World War. Initially British troops in the area consisted of the Mobile Division (Egypt), later to become the 7th Armoured Division, and the Cairo Brigade.[2] On 5 July 1942, 'A' Force Depot was redesignated as 74th Armoured Brigade (Dummy Tanks) in Egypt under the command of Headquarters British Troops in Egypt.[3] The "brigade" was redesignated a number of times: as 24th Armoured Brigade (Dummy Tanks) from 23 August 1943,[4] as 87th Armoured Brigade (Dummy Tanks) from 26 May 1944,[5] and back to 24th Armoured Brigade (Dummy Tanks) again from 14 July 1944. Finally, on 29 September 1944 it was redesignated and reorganized as 13th Reserve Unit in the UK.[4]
After the Second World War anti-British resentment escalated and there was rioting in Egyptian streets in February 1946.[1] British troops left Egypt in June 1956 shortly before the Suez Crisis.[6]
It is reported that in December 1945 Major General Lashmer Whistler, GOC 3rd Division, became GOC British Troops in Egypt and shortly after ceased to be a member of the 3rd Division. Whistler's rank of major general was made substantive in February 1947, with seniority backdated to April 1946.[7]
The Egyptian Free Officers Movement overthrew King Farouk in the Egyptian coup d'état of 1952. The Free Officers then concluded the Anglo–Egyptian Agreement of 1954, made during the month of October, with Great Britain. It stipulated a phased evacuation of British troops from the Suez base, agreed to withdrawal of all troops within 20 months (that is, June 1956); maintenance of the base was to be continued; and allowed Britain to hold the right to return for seven years.[8] The British troops were withdrawn by 24 March 1956. The last unit was 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, leaving Port Said.[9]
Commanders of the British Army of Occupation in Cairo included:
Later commanders included:[11]
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