Sèvres Protocol

by David Lee Corley

  The eastern ridge was even more rugged than the western ridge making it difficult to maneuver. But the ruggedness offered the Israelis more covered positions behind rocks and gullies. The Israelis were able to close in on the Egyptians. Once they were within throwing distance, the Israelis attacked with a new ferocity, hurling grenades over the top of the ridge into the Egyptian positions. The Israelis were experienced at timing their grenade detonations so they exploded as they landed rather than rolling farther down the ridgeline.

  One by one, the Israelis on the eastern ridgeline rolled up the Egyptian machinegun positions and drove the supporting troops into retreat until they controlled the top of the ridge. Then they turned their weapons on the western ridgeline just as the Egyptians had done to them. With two angles of attack the Egyptians soon realized their positions were untenable and retreated, spiking their anti-tank guns and leaving them behind.

  After two hours of fierce combat, some of which was hand-to-hand, the Israelis were in control of the ridges on both sides of the road. They turned their guns on the Egyptians still fighting below on the road. It was a slaughter. The Egyptians broke and ran. The Israelis were too exhausted to chase after them. It was enough that they had taken the pass and now had a clear path to the roadways paralleling the eastern banks of the Suez Canal.

  Sharon entered the pass with the rest of his brigade which took up defensive positions. He was shocked by what he saw. Thirty-eight Israelis were dead and one hundred and twenty were wounded. Two hundred and sixty Egyptians lay dead alongside the road. The battle for Mitla Pass had been the bloodiest and most costly for both sides up to that point of the war.

  October 31, 1956 – Suez Canal Zone, Egypt

  An Israeli scout plane spotted the Egyptian armored battalion as it turned west toward the Suez Canal. He radioed back to headquarters to report his discovery.

  When the Egyptian commander realized that the Israelis now held the high ground in the pass, he broke off his advance. An attack against the Israeli positions would be too costly, and his tanks were needed to protect the canal. The generals in Cairo would need to come up with another plan to root the Israelis out of the mountain pass.

  October 31, 1956 – Mitla Pass

  Once again, the Israeli paratroopers could rest peacefully, knowing they had accomplished their objective and were in a strong defensive position. Nobody felt like celebrating. The cost was very high and most of the soldiers that fought that day lost close friends that would be missed in the days to come. Instead, prayers were said for the dead, and the wounded were cared for by the medics.

  The Israeli engineers cleared an area on the flatland at the mouth of the pass and created a makeshift landing strip. DC-3s landed, dropping off supplies and picking up the wounded. The paratroopers had a hot meal that night and shared stories of the battle as soldiers often do when the fighting is done. They all slept well… except for Sharon. Many would question what Sharon had done and if the seizure of the pass was necessary, but none would be more critical than Sharon himself.

  October 31, 1956 – Sinai Desert, Egypt

  Coyle and his Spanish navigator continued their trek north across the Sinai Desert. It was hot and dry. The one bottle of water they carried with them was almost empty. They had been rationing the water, but the dry climate and heat sapped their bodies of moisture and they needed to replenish their fluids continually or risk dehydration.

  Coyle knew they would need to find a water source soon or they would be dead by morning – noon at the latest. The problem was that he didn’t know where to look and whom they might find waiting if they found it. There were no markings for wells or springs on the map. He figured they would most likely find water in the wadis, the canyons or in the mountains. So far, everywhere they had looked was dry as a bone.

  He realized how ill-suited he was for the desert. He didn’t like it and it didn’t like him. It was his general ignorance that bothered him most. He thought he should know something about the region and the people but he knew almost nothing. “Mira,” said the navigator pointing to the horizon.

  Coyle looked out. In the distance, he saw something moving on the horizon. He wasn’t sure what it was. He motioned for the navigator to crouch low. He did the same. Whatever it was, it was heading in their direction. He could see a cloud of dust in its wake. It was a vehicle. He motioned for the navigator to lay on the ground. He did the same and kept watch as the vehicle approached. He had no way of telling if it was Egyptian or Israeli. He was sure it wasn’t civilian. He looked around for a place to hide. There was none nearby. The closest cover was a mountain range behind the approaching vehicle. That did them no good.

  Coyle pulled out the knife and stabbed the ground to break up the clay. The navigator saw what he was doing and used his hands to claw the softer dirt and sand below the surface. There wasn’t much time. They created two shallow trenches. He motioned the navigator to climb into one. Once inside, he used his hands to cover the navigator with some of the excess dirt from the trench. He could see that there was going to be too much dirt. He threw handfuls away from the trench.

  He looked again at the approaching vehicle. It looked like an armored car. He was pretty sure only the Egyptians used armed cars. He had heard from somewhere that the Israelis preferred lower-cost jeeps and trucks. He wondered if they could already see him and if hiding was just a wasted effort. He finished packing the dirt around the navigator and moved to his trench. He threw away as much dirt as he thought was excess of what he needed and climbed into the trench. He pulled the sand and dirt around and over himself as much as possible. They laid flat and still.

  As the vehicle approached, he could see that it was actually a small convoy of three vehicles, possibly a reconnaissance patrol. He wasn’t sure what side they were on until the vehicles passed and he recognized the decal on one of the doors. They were Egyptian. Their wheels passed within ten feet of their trenches. Coyle and the navigator remained motionless and unnoticed as the vehicles sped away.

  They waited until the vehicles were out of sight before climbing out of their trenches and dusting themselves off. They continued walking toward the mountains. Coyle wondered if they should have turned themselves over to the Egyptians. They would have water. It may have been their last chance. He drove the thought from his mind and focused on the mountains. There has to be water someplace in those mountains, he thought. We just gotta find it.

  October 31, 1956 – Mitla Pass

  The Israelis kept watch from their defensive positions inside the Mitla Pass. They needed rest after two days of hard travel and fighting. They were receiving regular shipments of food and supplies from cargo aircraft landing on the flat desert to the east of the pass. Sharon approached his radio operator, a young corporal, and said, “Any word from General Dayan?”

  “Nothing,” said the corporal. “We did get a message about that Spanish cargo plane. Apparently, it was shot down by one of our jets on its way back to the border. He thought it was an Egyptian ally.”

  Sharon looked concerned and said, “Shit. Any survivors?”

  “They don’t know. They are sending a patrol out to take a look at the wreckage.”

  “Alright. Keep me posted and keep this quiet until we know about the survivors. The French woman’s boyfriend was the pilot.”

  “The American?”

  “Yeah. There is no need to worry her until we know something for sure,” said Sharon, and he moved off.

  October 31, 1956 – Mediterranean Sea

  The British and French objective was nothing less the obliteration of the Egyptian Air Force before it could attack the incoming invasion force sailing towards Port Said and the Egyptian coastline. The French 33rd Reconnaissance Squadron flew eleven sorties using a mix of Canberra bombers and RF-84F Thunderstreaks to pinpoint the location of the Egyptian planes and airfields near the Suez Canal and coastline.

  The three airfields on Cyprus were packed to the brim with French and British aircraft. The
only tarmac not occupied with a parked plane were the runways. The congestion made changes in plans a nightmare. Every plane had been placed in a position in order of scheduled take off. The original plan called for an aerial attack on Egyptian positions near the Suez Canal at 4:15 a.m.

  October 31, 1956 – London, England

  Sir William Forster Dickson walked into 10 Downing Street and was escorted to Eden’s office. Dickson held one of Britain’s highest military ranks of Marshal of the Royal Air Force. He was responsible for overseeing the air force strategy that was about to unfold in Egypt. He didn’t like the idea of being called to the Prime Minister’s office just hours before the beginning of the first bombing campaign. The Prime Minister had a phone just like everyone else. He should learn to use it, thought Dickson, peeved.

  Eden sat at his desk reviewing a schedule of air force sorties which included both military and civilian targets. He believed that by bombing civilian targets, the Egyptian people would be so outraged with their government they would overthrow Nasser and whomever took his place would immediately sue for peace. He had made sure the British and French air marshals had included plenty of targets in Cairo. We might even get lucky and kill Nasser in one of the raids, he thought. That would be fortuitous and bring this whole affair to a quick conclusion. His phone rang and his secretary informed him that Air Marshal Dickson had arrived. Eden asked that he be sent in immediately. Dickson entered. “Sir William, thank you for coming,” said Eden.

  “Of course, Mister Prime Minister,” said Dickson. “How can I help you?”

  “I’ve been going over this schedule of bombing sorties…”

  “I wasn’t aware you were included in the distribution of those schedules.”

  “I wasn’t, but I had that situation corrected. That’s not important. What is important is the timing of the campaigns.”

  “The timing?”

  “Yes. You have scheduled the first bombing campaign to begin at 4:15 am.”

  “That’s correct.”

  “You need to change it.”

  “Excuse me… did you say change it?”

  “Yes. It’s less than two hours after the deadline for the ultimatum. That is far too soon. Nobody will believe that we were seriously seeking peace with the Egyptians if we drop bombs on Cairo so soon after the deadline.”

  “With all due respect, sir. We can’t just change our bombing schedules. They have been set for days. The attacks were coordinated between multiple armed services. These things don’t just turn on a whim.”

  “Well, they will this time. Reschedule the campaign.”

  “It’s two hours away.”

  “I don’t care if it’s ten minutes away. Reschedule it.”

  “For when, sir?”

  “I suppose noon would allow sufficient time.”

  “A daylight bombing?”

  “Oh, well… I guess that would not be prudent. How about just after sundown?”

  “Yes, I suppose.”

  “Very well, then. Please see to it that the other armed services are informed of the change.”

  “Yes, Mister Prime Minister.”

  “Well, I am sure you have plenty to do. That will be all, Sir William,” said Eden going back to work at his desk.

  Dickson left the office stunned. He had just two hours to reschedule the biggest bombing campaign since the end of World War II. Unfortunately, nobody thought to inform the Israelis of the change in plan.

  October 31, 1956 – Jerusalem, Israel

  Ben-Gurion paced around his office mumbling curses to himself. He was furious. The British and French bombings had not occurred on schedule. Dayan appeared in the doorway and said, “You asked to see me?”

  “That son-of-a-bitch Eden has betrayed us just like I suspected he would,” said Ben-Gurion just as Dayan entered. “No bombing campaign. The man is a weasel.”

  “Did you contact the British or the French?” said Dayan.

  “Of course not. This whole operation is supposed to be a secret. Now we know why. The British and French planned to leave our forces stranded in the Sinai right from the start. We are strung out over one hundred miles in all directions. If the British and French bombers don’t destroy the Egyptian Air Force their jets and tanks will tear our men apart.”

  “It’s not that bad, David,” said Dayan trying to calm Ben-Gurion. “We have accomplished many of our objectives and most of our men are well dug in. Our air force can deal with the Egyptians.”

  “That’s wishful thinking, Moshe. We both know the Egyptian Air Force outnumbers our own. And what about their tanks? We cannot destroy their tanks if our jets are tangling with their jets.”

  “Perhaps. But things could be a lot worse.”

  “From your lips to God’s ear. Watch what you say.”

  “Of course. Look, until we hear from the British, we can sit tight and keep our heads down.”

  “No. No sitting. I want our forces withdrawn from the Sinai.”

  “David, that’s not wise. We paid in blood for the ground we have taken. We can’t just turn it back over to the Egyptians.”

  “Why not? Our whole plan just went up in smoke and Israel’s very existence is at stake.”

  “The Egyptians will think they have won. It will embolden them. Nasser will claim victory and gain power with the other Arab leaders. It’s a mistake to give him that power. He will unite the Arabs and attack in force once he does.”

  “Without the British and the French backing us up we could be facing an attack from the Arab world right now. They can drive us into the sea just like they always wanted.”

  “We’re not going to let that happen, I promise you.”

  “Promises. I have had enough of promises. I want our men brought back home before our army is destroyed and Israel along with it. That is an order, General.”

  “Yes, sir. I will see to it,” said Dayan.

  Outside Ben-Gurion’s office, Dayan stopped and took a deep breath. He loved his country and had proven his loyalty multiple times. But now it was time to commit a small treason. He would disobey his commander-in-chief. He knew Ben-Gurion was panicking and angry. There were many reasons why the British and the French air forces could have been delayed. It was war after all. Nothing goes as planned. He made the decision to stall for time. He would drag his feet and ensure that his commanders were slow in carrying out his orders to retreat. He would not give up the ground the men under his command had fought for. Not without a price. Not now. Not ever.

  October 31, 1956 – Cairo, Egypt

  Nasser refused to sit. He thought better on his feet. He was not a pacer. He preferred to stare out the windows in his office at the garden that surrounded the presidential palace. Amer sat. He preferred to conserve his energy. It also helped hide his unsteadiness from an occasional drink or hangover. “Nothing will happen,” said Amer. “It is a ruse just as you surmised. The British are trying to force us to the negotiating table while the Israelis still occupy our land. We can never let that happen. It would be the end of everything you have dreamed of.”

  “And if we are wrong?” said Nasser.

  “Then our troops will drive them into the sea. We have already repositioned the majority of our forces in the Sinai back across the Suez where our men are preparing our defenses for an invasion. We will be well prepared if they come. In fact, it may be a blessing. We can finally show the world what a well-armed Egyptian army can do. But I assure you, Gamal… it is an English bluff. I would stake my life on it.”

  “Just in case, I think we should put a curfew in place and black out our cities at night. We don’t need to give the British and French bombers a clear target if they do come.”

  “Are you sure that is wise?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What will the people think? They may panic if they see you waver. They need to feel your confidence. They need to feel that you are in control of the situation.”

  Nasser considered the suggestion. The people
were everything to Nasser. They were his power base. Amer was loyal and a longtime friend, but he could not control his generals if they decided to remove Nasser from power. The people and Nasser’s popularity kept the military in check. “Perhaps you are right,” said Nasser.

  “Let things play out, my friend. We will react appropriately when the time comes. Until then, you would do best to get some sleep and relax. You need to conserve your health. The people are depending on you. Egypt is depending on you.”

  “Sleep? You can’t be serious.”

  “A whiskey might help.”

  “I don’t drink spirits. You know that.”

  “Perhaps you should start. It will help you sleep.”

  October 31, 1956 – London, England

  U.S. Ambassador Aldrich arrived at 10 Downing Street and was immediately ushered into Eden’s office. Eden did not want to antagonize the Americans more than he already had. When this crisis was over, he would need to repair any damage to the special relationship between the two countries that may have occurred. He was a prudent man and did not want to make any more work for himself than was necessary. “How can I help you, Ambassador?” said Eden as Aldrich sat down opposite Eden’s desk.

  “You can help by calling off this charade,” said Aldrich.

  “I assure you it is no charade. We gave the Egyptians a chance for peace and they flatly refused. They are bringing this war upon themselves,” said Eden. “It will all be over shortly. I assure you.”