Radfan Campaign

The Radfan Campaign was a series of British military actions during the Aden Emergency in January–May 1964. It took place in the mountainous Radfan region near the border with the Yemen Arab Republic. Local tribesmen connected with the NLF began raiding the road connecting with Aden with the town of Dhala.

Radfan Campaign
Part of Aden Emergency
DateJanuary–May 1964
Location
Radfan
Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom British Empire

NLF

Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom Gen. John Cubbon Unknown
Units involved
 British Army
Royal Marines
Royal Air Force		 unknown
Strength
1,000+ troops
45 marines		 unknown
Casualties and losses
4+ killed

In January 1964 the local army sent three battalions supported by the RAF to restore order. Trouble flared up again and in April British ground troops were sent in; by May they had taken the main rebel stronghold and the revolt had been suppressed. The NLF then switched its attention to Aden itself.[1]

The first operation in January was known as "Nut cracker". The second one was "Cap Badge".[2]

Edwards patrol

The best known action of the Campaign involved a patrol led by Captain Edwards on the 29 April 1964 which came under the attack. It led to the death of Edwards and another soldier, Sapper John Warburton.[3] They were beheaded and their heads displayed in the Yemeni Capital.[4][5][6]

British troops then attacked the area and succeeded in capturing rebel positions, although two more British were killed.[7][8]

The British went on to use tanks and jets in the fight.[9]

References
  1. Jim Keys, "Operation Stirling Castle", History Herald 21 November 2012 accessed 3 November 2013
  2. "ADEN EMERGENCY PSYOP 1963-1967". Archived from the original on 2007-04-03.
  3. Aden Insurgency: The Savage War in Yemen 1962-67 by Jonathan Walker, Pen and Sword, 2014 p 100-102 accessed 25 Feb 2015
  4. "British Troops Flown To Aden". The Canberra Times. 4 May 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 8 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "U.S. Inquiries In 'Beheading'". The Canberra Times. 5 May 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 8 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "2 Soldiers' Beheading Confirmed". The Canberra Times. 16 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "BRITISH FORCES OVERRUN REBELS". The Canberra Times. 7 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Britain Reinforcing Middle East Forces". The Canberra Times. 8 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "JETS, TANKS STRIKE IN ARABIA". The Canberra Times. 22 May 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 8 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
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