BATTLE OF THE BUREAU SANITAIRE – SEEN FROM THE AIR
As Remembered By Phil May – RAF Regt – Radio Linkman
At the time of the battle of the Bureau Sanitaire, I was serving as a Flying Officer with 62 Rifle Squadron RAF Regiment. The Squadron was stationed at RAF El Hamra. Our duties were mainly concerned with the security of vulnerable points, which included a flight detachment providing a permanent guard for the Officer Commanding Middle East Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Sir John Baker, on his houseboat located on the edge of Lake Timsah near Ismailia.
In December 1951, I was detached with my flight to command this guard. The flight was based at Air HQ Middle East RAF Ismailia. The airmen were housed in barrack blocks, and I lived in the officer’s mess, which made a pleasant change after being under canvas in the desert. During this time, I became friends with a young subaltern, Lieutenant APN Heron, a Royal Artillery pilot. He was also attached to the station with an Auster Air Op highlight of my Middle East tour.
By January 1952, the situation in Ismailia was becoming quite serious, with large numbers of armed Egyptian police auxiliaries and terrorists moving into the town from Cairo. Tony Heron told me that he had been briefed for an operation that was planned for the following day. 25th January 1952, to disarm hostile forces assembling in Ismailia. This was to be carried out by a battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, the Parachute Regiment supported by some armoured cars of the Royal Dragoons, and some tanks. He explained that he would be providing an Air Op to cover the operation. As I had flown with him previously, he asked me if I would like to accompany him and assist in observing.
The next morning I briefed my 2 i/c of the flight, FO Sean McDonnell, that I would be away, and following an early breakfast, we took off from RAF Ismailia at first light. We had a type 62 radio set in the Auster, on net with Btn HQ and also Brigade. We commenced circling the town and could see the paras taking up position on an outer ring and the Lancashire Fusiliers were closing in and forming a cordon near the Police Headquarters, and some appeared to be dug in on the bank near the Sweet Water Canal.
The Egyptian police and the auxiliaries were located mostly in the police HQ building Caracol, and the Bureau Sanitaire (a multi-storied, flat roofed building). As we flew over the area we saw an armoured car from the Royals being fired on from the roof of the Bureau Sanitaire. It returned fire then moved to a side street. We could clearly see men firing from positions on the roof at our troops, and we continued to circle, reporting movements on the ground.
We noted a considerable increase in the number of armed police on the roof, who were now dragging up boxes of ammunition. We were asked to report on the numbers on the roof and as we both had difficulty in doing a head count agreed an estimate of between 20 and 30. By this time the enemy were directing some of their fire from the Bureau Sanitaire at our aircraft. As we were quite low, Lt Heron took evasive action and dived to the east.
We circled the town again and flew back towards the Bureau buildings and could see what appeared to be 2-inch mortar bombs landing on the building. This had a dramatic and instant effect of clearing the flat roof area till only a few snipers remained there, plus what appeared to be some casualties lying around. We continued circling the town and then flew over Arab Town. I recall returning to the airfield at RAF Ismailia briefly (to re-fuel) and seeing paratroopers in the cemetery area NW as we came in to land
Later, while we continued to fly over the area, we observed support weapons firing into the buildings occupied by the enemy and, later still, the infantry assault covered by a tank giving extremely close support. The paras now seemed to be involved in clearing up on the outskirts of the town, and we returned to RAF Ismailia in time for lunch.
After this action, bombing and shooting incidents continued to occur in the Zone but on a smaller scale.
On 26th January, Shepherds Hotel in Cairo was bombed and set on fire by terrorists, and a number of British civilians killed and mutilated by a mob. After this incident the C-in-C British Forces. General Erskine, was reported to have told the Egyptian Prime Minister: “If there is any more of this bloody nonsense the British Army will be in Cairo within the hour.” The Egyptian Prime Minister replied “But the Egyptian Army will resist you” Erskine then observed “In that case, we will take an hour and ten minutes”
The Royal Artillery
“Auster” – as used to provide air observation.
during the Battle of the Bureau Sanitaire
Sergeant Harry Foster was platoon sergeant of 8 Platoon of C Company, Lancashire Fusiliers on the morning of 25th January 1952. At about 09:00 hours his platoon was ordered to enter the courtyard of the Egyptian Police Barracks in the Bureau Sanitaire, Ismailia, and to clear the left wing of the building.
The Egyptian Police were covering the courtyard with heavy rifle fire, and in the first five minutes of the action Sgt Foster received a bullet wound in the right upper arm. He ignored this and carried on. The platoon was held up about halfway across the courtyard and Sgt Foster moved about in the open, putting LMGs into fire positions and encouraging his men. About five minutes later he was again hit, in the leg but ignored this wound and remained at his post.
Under cover of MG fire from the tanks in support, the platoon managed to reach the building and gain lodgement. Resistance was strong, and Sgt Foster led a party throwing grenades. Shortly after this, and about half and hour after receiving his first wound, he was hit again by a rifle bullet in the leg, this time severely. Although in great pain he refused assistance – he was evacuated only on the direct order of his platoon commander and records show that he saved the lives of three members of his platoon
Throughout the action Sgt Foster had shown complete disregard for his own safety and his gallantry and good leadership were an example to all ranks of his company.
For his gallantry, the Queen awarded Sgt Foster the George Medal