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OPERATION RHEOSTAT TWO - THE SUEZ CANAL IS REOPENED [Allocated Title]

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Catalogue number
  • ADM 4774
Production date
1975-06-05
Place made
GB
Subject period
Creator
Category
film

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Object description

HMS Abdiel and the minehunters HMS Sheraton and HMS Hubberston stand-down at Ismailia after clearance operations in the Canal. British officers are honoured by the Egyptians when the Canal is re-opened after eight years.

Full description

MS of a billboard declaring SUEZ CANAL IS OURS. Roadside signs indicate that the cameraman is just outside Ismailia. Cut to MS to HMS Hubberston (M.1147) as she makes stern way to clear her moorings alongside HMS Abdiel - Lieutenant-Commander Harwood looks down from the minehunter's bridge as the operation proceeds. Making the most of her manoeuvrability, Hubberston turns in her own length to head out into open water - as she exits the screen, the cameraman focuses on the Suez Canal Authority Headquarters building in the background on the shores of Lake Timsah. As Hubberston makes off, an Egyptian tug falls in astern of her - both head off past the US salvage ship USS Opportune (RS 41). MS from floating pier to Abdiel alongside - the cameraman boards a launch which takes him out onto the lake where an ARE Navy Diving Ship (possibly the Max) and USS Opportune are anchored. Hubberston passes right to left and executes a turn hard a'starboard. Abdiel shifts her moorings to a position in midstream - once anchored, she lowers side fenders and first Hubberston and then HMS Sheraton (M.1181) go alongside. Cut to scenes is Port Said - two women wave to the cameraman from an apartment window - the front of their block has partially collapsed. The street outside is decorated with flags and banners. CUs of war damaged buildings. A group of Egyptians talk with British sailors - possibly translating some of the slogans - and wave for the cameraman. Egyptian troops in full dress uniform guard one of the public buildings - in the background is a large billboard declaring THE CANAL REMAINS A SYMBOL OF PEACE AND COOPERATION in English and Arabic. Other placards declare CANAL ROUTE ALWAYS MOST ECONOMIC, SUEZ CANAL SERVES WORLD PROSPERITY, and SUEZ CANAL IS THE CLEANEST CANAL IN THE WORLD. ARE Navy band marches past followed by an armed Naval detachment. Cut to scenes at the Canal reopening ceremonies. Representing the Royal Navy is a Rear-Admiral (possibly Rear-Admiral David Loram, Flag Officer Malta, and NATO Commander South Eastern Area, Mediterranean), accompanied by two of his staff and the British task group commander, Commander Elliott. Also among the company is Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Arabian Defence Minister. The British officers chat with their foreign counterparts, including a Russian officer. President Sadat arrives, dressed in the uniform of an Egyptian admiral, and takes a seat on the central dais - next to him is a young man, possibly Prince Reza Pahlavi of Iran. After a brief introductory address (by General Gamassi, the War Minister ?), Sadat delivers his speech, and he and his entourage leave. Cut to the harbour as a launch carrying the President sets off for the destroyer 6 October lying in midstream - alongside in the background is the training ship El Horriya. Other launches ferry guests to the ships in which they will make the opening voyage down the Canal to Ismailia. Crowds of spectators wave to the camera. Cut to banks of the canal as the ships pass by, 6 October (666) in the van, followed by a second destroyer (pendant 888, possibly Suez), and the ex-royal yacht El Horriya - crewmen wave to the camera - in the foreground stands a soldier of the Second Army, a PG-16 launcher slung over his shoulder. Cut to a sequence shot at the old Suez Canal Authority building at Port Said where in a short ceremony Royal Naval officers and NCOs are honoured by the Egyptians. Commander Elliott arrives, accompanied by the junior task group commanders, Lieutenant Manning and Lieutenant-Commander Harwood, and salutes. After a short speech by an Egyptian official (Director of the SCA ?) awards are handed out, and Commander Elliott gives a speech of thanks. After the ceremony Commander Elliott shakes hands with the leading Egyptian representative, who seems to be holding a small Wedgwood blue jasper ware box, presumably a gift. Elliott leaves, accompanied by his wife. Cut to scene as the British task group quits Port Said. The two minehunters clear their moorings alongside Abdiel and form up in line ahead as she leads them out of Port Said, escorted by two SCA tugs. Cut to scenes at Ismailia on 5 June. A large portrait of Sadat has been set up on a barge. The President arrives with Prince Reza Pahlavi and General Gamassi for a motorcade in an open limousine. The watching crowds wave to the camera. The SCA HQ is decked with flags - in the foreground street signs in English, French and Arabic declare WE OPEN THE SUEZ CANAL FOR THE WELFARE OF OUR PEOPLE AND THE WHOLE WORLD, and WELCOME PRESIDENT SADAT AND HIS GUESTS. HA from a moving vehicle to waving roadside spectators. Miscellaneous stock shots about the task group. Onboard Hubberston a group of men and a young boy stand in wet suits - a crewman (Clearance Diver Fist Class CPO) helps one of the men into diving gear. CUs of the ship's name plates. Crewmen negotiate with a souvenir salesman who has laid out his wares on the pier. Other salesmen ply their trade from small boats drawn up astern of the minehunters. Hubberston unmoors, watched by Lieutenant-Commander Harwood on the bridge. Shot to Union Jack flying from ensign staff on Sheraton - she is underway with a canvas awning spread over the focsle. MS from Abdiel to the funnels of the two minehunters, both with the Arabic device worn by Royal Naval ships in the Rheostat operations. A cargo ship waits to enter the re-opened canal. A souvenir salesman in a boat dickers with a crewman on Hubberston. Final MS to the SCA buildings at Port Said with decorative marquee set out in front for the re-opening ceremonies.

Physical description

16mm

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Fair Dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

© IWM 2016