Hello from the Colonies. I watched your recap of the Aden Protectorate with great interest. As a 17 year old sailor aboard the USS Eaton DDE 510 USN, I arrived in Aden Harbor in April 1957. We were on Red Sea patrol and shuttled between Aden and Masawa, Eritria for port calls. Both lovely places as you can imagine. On our final departure from Aden we were piped away by the Cameron Highlanders and had a RAF flyby. A very low level flyby, as I was standing on the bridge 37 feet above the water and had to look down to see the aircraft. I learned to drink whisky with no ice at the Rock Hotel and I continue to do so to this day.
@@daveyjuice7710: Actually, we were the fleet. The Eaton patrolled the approaches to the Bab el Mandeb and the USS Bache DDE 470 patrolled the Persian Gulf. If "Sara" was around she probably would have been in the Med. Point of interest: Both the Eaton and the Bache are now sleeping with the fishes. Eaton was sunk as a target ship in the 1970s and Bache was wrecked on Rhodes in 1968.
Interesting. I had heard of Crater Aden and now you’ve put flesh on the bone. If “Mad Mitch” earned respect his troops that’s most important of all. I’d been to the P.D.R. of South Yemen, one of the sweatiest places ever, as BP had a refinery in what was a communist enclave. Strange old world.
Thank you, Chris. My oldest brother (3 Para) saw active service in Aden during that time. What’s more, Mad Mitch was a household name when I was a boy - my dad, a 30 year fighting soldiers, was an Argyll and Sutherland Highlander, later 6 (Army) Commando during WWII; commissioned King’s Regiment, attached Herefords during Palestine; attached Malay Regiment during the first Emergency; attached Sarawak Rangers during the Confrontation; attached SAS as jungle warfare instructor; finally attached Singapore Guard Regiment. When I was a small boy growing up in the Far East, he used to carry me to bed playing my leg like it was the chanter on a set of bagpipes while humming The Barren Rocks of Aden. I did the same when my daughter was small. Thank you for the memories, and for shining a light on the Aden conflict.
Has your father ever been back to Sarawak? That's where I'm from and were used to having many ex servicemen back here I much more peaceful times and they've all enjoyed seeing how the place has developed and progressed, much due to ppl like your dad and their incredible sacrifices and service 50 yrs ago
Thanks for talking about this history! I served in Iraq in 2004 and my Son served in Afghanistan twice. This history sounds very familiar. When will we learn?
He was the only officer not to receive a campaign medal, for his behaviour in Aden , his 1968 resignation stinks he was told to resign our face criminal charges, all officers who resign are given a customary 7 months notice, his was immediately accepted, he and the argylls atrocities were covered up in Aden
@@VilhelmHammershoi1666 They usually are. The major on the ground on bloody Sunday when 14 civilians were killed was given an award by the queen. When they're given a decoration, to question it questions the entire monarchy. It's basically like a Papal blessing
I got to know Colin Mitchell in Cambodia in 1990. We were setting up a prosthetics facility and Colin came out to advise on mine clearance in his capacity as head of the Halo Trust. Part of my job was to ‘chaperone’ him - needless to say a thankless task! An extraordinary man.
I never met or even saw mad Mitch but as a member of 47 Regt RA we came under him but as is norm no mention of us. But he was still a favorite of mine.
Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus
My brother was one of the last RAF personnel to leave Aden, his wife and children had already been evacuated. His last assignment was to go up the Radfan Valley (I think it was the name) and help hold back the Yemenis while the Sappers destroyed all the equipment and materiel that could not be evacuated by sea or air - everything including dental clinics. When he came back to he said he would join Mad Mitch anytime he wanted a mercenary.
The autobiography of Lt Col Mitchell, "Having Been A Soldier", is well worth reading. The photograph on the front cover is iconic: it speaks to me of courage, discipline, loyalty, integrity, selfless commitment and respect for others.
Too True,He inspired some young and old at the time,if not lefties remembering. But even Labour oldies who had served had known officers like him and seemed to respect.
"Mad Mitch" was a great A&SH officer that had to sort out what politicians caused. A solid British hero. We either shape the world or we are shaped by it and the pithy critics of the British Empire on here remind me of what Roosevelt once said about such types. That It is not the critic who counts for these cold and timid souls shall neither know victory nor defeat.
@@TheHistoryChap I'm visiting the Kabul British Cemetery in Kabul with a Captain John Cook VC who died in the 2nd Afghan war around Christmas time in 1879. I think his brother died a few days before. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of colonialism, the individual stories of men dying far from home can't fail to touch and inspire.
I completely agree with you. Having kicked the British out with the help of the Soviet Union, ( Russian imperialism in disguise ) have the local people gained a better quality of life? They are now pawns of either the Iranians or the Saudis, neither of which actually care for them. There are so many places in the world that have become failed states once British influence receded. Funny old thing, having hated us and kicked us out, then where do they want to travel to as refugees, assylum seekers or migrants?
Thank you,let the blighters look to some of the other Empires if they have need of GENOCIDE ! The German,Dutch,Italian,Belgian or Portugese or Spanish come to mind. Then there's The French ! still in a colonial war in the sixties. Oh Sorry ! I missed out The Japanese and Imperial and Post 1917 Russia, even America,(From the Shores of Montezuma,to The Shores of Tripoli - Also The Philipines, - God Bless The US Marines,you get to join if you are African American or Asian also,just be a Marine ! The understanding of History of some of todays kiddiewinkies is terrifying. Try sitting in the road in some countries ! You will find yourself looking at the underside of an armoured vehicle.
My dad severed in Aden in 1964/1965 (RAF) and my youngest sister was born there. I can remember and i was only 4 years old, every time my mum went to the shops a solider always escorting us.
My dad served in Aden (RAF) at that time and I was born at Steamer Point Hospital in Aden. It gave me some issues with getting my passport in later years and even now when I fill in online forms where you need to put place of birth.
@@TheHistoryChap Do you know what unit he served? The ones I remember specifically on escort duty (among front line stuff) were mostly RAF Regiment and Cameronians, also 1 RNF, QDG and quite possibly the Lancs Rgt and P.W.O. (Yorks). I also recall seeing members of 1 RIR (Royal Irish Rangers) with their dark green hackles, rarely mentioned. Not sure if the whole battalion was deployed to Aden. 1 Para were busy over at Sheik Othman and Al Mansura outer districts, two places highly volatile with grenade incidents and shootings more or less 24/7 during 1967.
Nasser did not defeat the British and French, that was President Eisenhower in the US, that forced the withdrawal out of Egypt by threatening to destroy the British economy. Mad Mitch was a great hero in all the British military for his stance against terrorism, I know as I was serving at the time. But Harold Wilson's Labour Government were seen as traitors for their compliance and sometimes active support of terrorists who had just murdered British soldiers. Aden port, the main employer in South Yemen was gone and the country rapidly deteriorated into poverty, all those trade unions wanting to kick the British out, all joined the ranks of the unemployed.
It was the soviet union under Khrushchev who defeated the British and the French in Suez actually, Khrushchev has threatened to bomb both London and Paris with Nukes if they did not withdraw
The Labour party under Bliar was just a treacherous as Wilson's government in sacrificing British soldiers of all arms. Was it not a Labour government that sent troops into Northern Ireland......
My dad was part of the last unit of the Royal Engineers to leave, he being a T.A . specialist reserve (water well drilling) . Years later, when I was serving with 84sqn RAF at Nicosia, the family came out for a visit. During a conversation with one of our pilots they both realised that his unit was airlifted on a wessex flown by the same pilot....small world isn't it.
We had them in the Falklands like mad Mitch.Our ship docked in Aden and we heard a few booms. We weren't allowed ashore.I was cheering our troops in my mind.
My Dad served with the RAF in Aden in 64 til 66. It was quite a hair raising time. I’m sure my Dad would have enjoyed your video, as he felt that it was a forgotten part of our Forces history. Thank you for your video. 🇬🇧🇺🇦
Not forgotten by this 70 year old,I was fourteen at the time. Mitch and his lads cheered the War 11 Vets and National Service Vets 'No End ' at the time,as I remember.
Great story again, Chris, having served in Pakistan in the 1980's for UNICEF I recognise those trible uprisings to witch we, "colonials" were subjected to.and the lack of understanding of politicians of history that lead to so many brave soldiers dying. Thanks again.
Now some of the beggars are bringing those conflicts to The UK (or whats left of it), our forfathers would have treated them to the 'Lahti'or the 'Rope.' Maybe even a company of Sikhs, Jats, or Gurhka's. Our leaders today extend the hand of leniency. It will be bitten off,by some,laughingly.
The treatment of Mitchell after returning from Eden was likely to make an example of him as a warning to any other similar-minded officers in the British military. It's sad that Mitchell's daring aggressiveness would have won him accolades and adulation earlier but the current mindset of the politicians and higher ups instead aborted what could have been a promising military career for a brave man.
Note that he was promoted from the ranks. This was a dangerous job and the 'old boys club' were not about to send one of their own. After having prevented a bloodbath, rather than being congratulated he was blamed for the few casualties. It was ever thus. P.S. I was there '60' to '62', all peace & quiet then.
Did we ever leave an overseas territory where the locals did not end up fighting each other? Hong Kong maybe but that is just a matter of time I suppose. The American colonies, India/Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Sudan and almost everywhere else in Africa because it's what they do, Palestine, Malaya and British Honduras (Belize) all come to mind but I suppose many did not. Notably, all Islands in the West Indies have had only peace since we left. So there you have it Ganja is the key to world peace!
My dad served out there in ‘67. he was an RAF engineering Warrant Officer responsible for the Hunter Squadrons. He wrote home to my mum and said, ‘don’t believe all you read in the papers out here, the reporters spend most of their time sitting in the mess drinking,’. He told me of the mad panic to evacuate RAF Khormaksar, they were cannibalising aircraft to get as many serviceable as possible, what was left were blown up. In typical MOD fashion, the camp had recently gone through an upgrade to the married quarters, even though they knew it was going to be handed back in the late 60’s. I’m sure many ex servicemen could identify with that style of forward planning.
Very much so LoL In Osnabruck in the late 90's early 2000's a brand new Gym all singing all dancing and a brand new cookhouse were built only for it all to be handed back to the German Stadt on DRAWDOWN in 2009 !!
had the renovation on close down happen when 60MU at RAF Leconfield in east Yorkshire, I asked why all the roads were being resurfaced and was told that when contracts had been awarded they had to be completed or there were penalty payments hence places got refurbished, Leconfield was turned over to the Army in the end to become a driver training unit so the road refurb was handy in this case.
Another gripping adventure , excellent work. Thank You. Any chance of covering the exploits of Mad Mike Hoare and Sandline International/Executive outcomes? Cheers
Mad Mike ? now there's 'a blast from the past'. Once introduced himself to a Jap truck driver in Burma as a young Chindit. The Jap queried him,so Mad Mike cut the mans head off with a machete. Some lovely people you meet in The British armed Forces. Mad Mike got promoted and went on to become a mercenary in Africa.
I was also posted to Aden/South Jemen in late 1966 as a British Army Medic attached HQ Anglians. The A&SH were not folks you'd want to encounter on any occasion. Absolute solid soldiers! I had fleeting meetings with "Mad Mitch" and can only concur that he was very much a "soldiers' soldier". He knew what he was demanding from his troops and expected the corresponding results. Unfortunately, I was wounded by a grenade blast (as a Medic) in September 1967 and EVACUd on the same day to, first Cyrus, and then to the UK. I variously served in Singapour Lines at Khormaksar, the Crabs' Hospital at Steamer Point and Camp Dahla up on the border of what was South Jemen. MsG
How dare you fly an Irish Tricolour on an article glorifying British brutality against native people as they have done in the 4 corners of the world including Ireland
Some of that brutality must have been carried out by Irishmen then, The Dublin Fusilers,The Munsters,The Leinsters,The Connnaught Rangers, The RIC. Even a third of The RIC Auxiliary (The Auxies) were Irish some were even Canadian,American, Australian or New Zealand. A Pound a day went a long way in 1920,particularily if you had just had a couple of years in the Western Front or Middle East. Your own Tom Barry fell into that category apparently,his dad was also an Inspector in The RIC. Nothing is what it seems. @@aidanmoore8499
@@aidanmoore8499Have you any idea the amount of irishmen of both religions that garrisoned the 4 corners of the empire.How many irishmen fought in ww1 compared to the Easter rising .
Chris, and the Aden Vets who assisted with this research. Thank you for presenting a very balanced view, and in doing so, offering a tribute to all those who served and made sacrifices, not forgetting the innocent British service children also killed. I was in Aden 1966-7 and witnessed the thick end of the insurgency, including narrowly escaping injury from a time delayed mine. It wrecked an aircraft at Khormaksar airfield, but the blast just threw me to the sand. Most nights were spent going to sleep with the sound of grenades, mortars and gunfire. Aden was hot, very hot indeed. But each and every day we lived and went about our lives in full confidence of our strong and marvellous British Army, RAF, Royal Navy and Royal Marines doing their work under intensely arduous conditions. Of course you cannot possibly name all individual units and the wide spectrum of all those serving in Aden, but if I may include a special mention to the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), disbanded soon after repatriation. They did a wonderful job of protecting families and trying to keep the peace. God bless them. Ditto the many loyal and decent indigenous Adenese, many who served with the British in the Aden Protectorate Levies, always immaculately turned out with their camels. I could name so many more. Proud to say that from a once barren wasteland, the British left Aden with much investment and goodwill in terms of schools, hospitals, a modern airport, cinemas, sewerage, water supply, electricity and modern infrastructure from which to offer a better life.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and to call out the Cameronians and the Aden Levies. The latter were left high and dry when we pulled out (sound familiar?)
The Cameronians were a great Scottish Regiment,disbanded when I was 15 in 1968 I think. They have a fine memorial to the regiment outside The Art Galleries in Glasgow.I have been privilaged to attend Rememberance Services there with mates whose fathers served in the regiment. Working around The West of Scotland for the best part of fifty years I was privilaged to work with many former vets of the Regiment. Many were the tales they had to tell us youngsters. They were all nice guys too.
@@philiprufus4427 My knowledge of the Cameronians were that they were tough, efficient, and like the A&SH, stood no nonsense. Also that they were led properly, the C.O. being the much respected Lt.Col Dow as I recall. They were just the kind of soldiers you want to depend on in a hot spot like Aden. In 1968, the Cameronians voluntarily chose disbandment over amalgamation via reforms of the Labour government. One can only guess why after loyally serving the crown since 1881, and part of a Scottish militia long before that. I recommend to you the compelling speech given by a former Chaplain during the Disbandment Ceremony at Hamilton. I too, had the personal privilege of placing a memorial to them, this one on Plymouth Hoe with kind permission of the Aden Vets. Association and a former officer from the Cameronians who served in Aden.
As I recall, the blown up aircraft was an Aden Air DC 3. I don’t think that we lost any aircraft, even when the revolt took place on the far side of the airfield and the local soldiers shot a young UK officer who came out to see what happened. I remember crawling around on the pan with my friend Nigel Furniss avoiding bullets coming from the army camp.
Tower visited the A&SH officer's Mess. During a conversation with the Adjutant, Tower referred to, "You damned Argylls," the Adjutant immediately challenged Tower- the GOC Middle East, and demanded that he retract the comment. Tower refused, the Adjutant responded by ordering one of the Mess stewards to bring Tower's peaked cap on a silver platter, and he ordered Tower to leave the A&SH Mess. Tower, despite being THE senior British officer in the Middle East had to comply and leave the Mess.
I had never heard how the British got out of Yemen before, actually. It's regrettable that they left the place in such a sad state, but was the place worth fighting for in the slightest for Britain, really?
My maths teacher was invalided out of the RAF after serving in Aden,an extremely imposing figure he was too and one of the few teachers I actually respected! Nothing but respect for these men.
In the background, Russia was stirring up the trouble. When the British finally left a small force of Russian navel ships, tried to Dock. The locals would have none of it, they had got rid of one colonial power. They where not going to have a replacement. That story was told to me by a former Chekslovakian communist. You meet some interesting people in the merchant Fleet.
The Russians then turned to the East Germans as their surrogates. The latter were not nice in their methods of putting down the locals but were of course unconstrained by the Press, all of whom had left Aden by then
Amazing stuff! Total British Bulldog spirit! Aden was a lost cause by that point and not worth fighting over but Mad Mitch was going to leave on his own terms and not be chased out! I think the SAS were also active in Aden at that time.
The SAS were very active at that time. I’m former Special Forces and I remember the soldiers and the stories they came back with, plus the Aden bar to their GSM Medal. And obviously, we moved into Dhofar, with the resultant swaray there. Take care and, thank you
Aden is known as the forgotten war, rightly so, but what about Little Aden. It doesn't get a single mention in this video, I was there with 31 Light Battery Royal Artillery and on the 20th June we had 3 men wounded one of who sadly succumbed to his wounds on the 21st July. I as a very naive 17 yr old was in the same vehicle, we were there at the hand over parade in Falaise Camp and then moved to share quarters with A&SH as we were their support Battery, there we stayed until the withdrawal.
I went to Aden twice in my life as a10yr old in 57 and 13yr old in 61 and it was a dump felt for our lads lot lost their lives for nothing except stupid government 😮 xx.
A very dear Friend of my Dad won the M.C. at Aiden. Sadly they lost contact. We still had people in this Country at that time who had a pair of balls. If they saw this place now, they would cry.
@@philiprufus4427 In agreement with that. But it's done now my friend. We come from the East End and we saw this shit building there when I was young, I'm 53 now, and I absolutely dread watching the last remnants of everything that my family fought for being dismantled and trashed before my eyes. Our own are worthless ingrates let alone the crap we've let in. I wish I could piss off somewhere so I didn't have to have my heart broken daily. Those poor souls who gave their everything for this place, what a waste.
My father was based in Aden from 1958-1960. He was a surgeon in the RAF. I can remember only a few things from our time there, swimming in the sea at the officer’s club inside of the shark nets, my introduction to rum & butter toffee and vague memories of primary school at Steamer Point. I also remember going on board HMS Bulwark when it paid a visit to Aden.
I was there at the same time. My father was in the RAF, stationed at Khormaksar. I have good memories of our time there, yes even the Steamer Point primary school-except for the frozen milk we were given. The school only went from 8.30 -1pm if I recall correctly as it was deemed too hot to go all day. When we had a new school built on the RAF base we went until 3pm. Yes, we would go into the club at Steamer Point and swim in the netted pools. As strong as those pools were with huge steel posts set into concrete bases and thick chain mesh enclosing the area, the sharks would still get through at times and the pool would be closed until the hole had been fixed. Dad and a few of the chaps from work would hire a boat and go fishing. I caught my first shark when I was 8. We active kids on the base( living quarters) once foiled what we were told was a plot to smuggle munitions off to Yemen. We observed an Arabic worker visiting a large clump of bushes over a couple of weeks so went to take a look. We found a stache of small shells and boxes of bullets and carefully took them to one kid's Dad who was an MP. I can still recall his shocked reaction when we marched into his house carrying live ammo!
@@jenniferfarrar9190 I had forgotten about the school timetable, no school in the afternoon. It’s funny how a faint memory can be triggered, for some reason cream doughnuts rings a bell, also the swimming with the shark nets and there was a diving platform covered in slimy black sea slugs.
@@mike.47 Yes, no matter how faint, the memories are still there. I don't recall cream donuts- it must have been a family thing? I do recall that when we visited Steamer Point and went to Crater we used to go to a restaurant called 'The Red Galleon', and my fave meal was spag bol. There was a shop we also visited. It was like an oriental emporium; at my age, it seemed like Aladdin's cave of treasures. The owner had a pet gazelle I loved. He also had shells like small clams with little carved and painted scenes inside them, beautiful sandalwood fans, Asian fabrics, puzzle boxes, delicate glass wind chimes I had them hanging at my bedroom window, and the sound was so pure. We would spend hours poking around in there before catching the bus back home. By the way, did you and your family go to the designated holiday camp, Nyali, over near Mombasa?
@@jenniferfarrar9190 Yes we did go to Mombasa, and I vaguely remember visiting Mount Kilimanjaro. Going back to England was an adventure too on the ship called SS Dilwara, I’ve even found the passenger list for our voyage home, arriving at Southampton on 23rd June 1960.
In 1969, we were training for deployment to N Ireland, the riot kit had banners which we assumed stated “go home, or we will be very cross” as it was in Arabic it could have said anything. In one tiny point the Marines were evacuated by Wessex helicopters not Wasps, the Wasp being only a 4 seater. One of the Wessex's was flown by my brother.
The sad thing is how many of these countries that were ruled or governed by the European powers then succeeded in gaining their "independence" and now are in worse shape than before. Some countries cannot self rule.
There was a Channel 4 TV series made in 1985 called End Of Empire which featured about 10 of the most prominent stories from the winding down of Britain's imperial rule. One of the episodes featured Aden and can be found on UA-cam along with all the other episodes like Rhodesia, Kenya etc. It was also related to a book written by Brian Lapping. It was immensely educational to me to learn so much about British /world history that I had never been exposed to at school (which I left in 1984)
You don't get taught British History at school.It was all Russian and German modern history a bit about the Romans.One day spent on the Kings and Queens of England.One of by school mates said he had not heard about the Post war .He thought it was a war at the Post Office.He was right the Post Office has been destroyed.
Thanks Chris, I very much enjoyed this video 👍. I did hope you would cover the Aden Emergency 63 - 67 and you certainly have. Lt Col Mitchell and his Argyll’s Battalion will always be remembered for their role in 67, great that you mentioned so many other Army cap badges, RAF, RN and RM, who all served in Aden, under very difficult circumstances. Mitchell did not get his full Colonel or awards due, personally I think that was a great shame. Thanks again and for sharing that your father served in Aden 👍🇬🇧
There was a Channel 4 TV series made in 1985 called End Of Empire which featured about 10 of the most prominent stories from the winding down of Britain's imperial rule. One of the episodes featured Aden and can be found on UA-cam along with all the other episodes like Rhodesia, Kenya etc. It was also related to a book written by Brian Lapping. It was immensely educational to me to learn so much about British /world history that I had never been exposed to at school (which I left in 1984.
My wifes father served in aden as a national serviceman, he was in the P.O.W. yorkshire regmt , he was in a mortar platoon but was used mainly as an infantryman, he is still alive today.
I served there 1966-1967 and I can say the total number of servicemen/women was around the 5,000 mark. I remember the number as there was an attempt by some nutter to start up a "jihad", calling from the mosques for people to rise en mass and we quickly calculated this would work out as a ratio of something like 50:1
I was serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious in 1967. We were on a Far East commission and I’m thinking that it must have been a couple of months before Mad Mitch did his thing in Crater because we were rapidly deployed from off Malaya to Aden. I believe this was the time when all non service personnel were being evacuated including service wives and children? Anyway we were sending our Buccaneers low over Crater as a show of force on a daily basis for about a week I think. I remember being pissed off because no shore leave was granted, which was probably just as well, 1500 matelots on a run ashore in a war zone would not have gone down well I’m sure. 😂
I was on 892 Hermes then I remember we were part of a flying anchor with Vics aircraft. We also gave the Arab leaders a demo of buccaneers labs bombing
I served in the RAF at Khormaksor from 1966 to 1967. I remember the uprising and what happened in Crater. We were very angry because of the softly softly tactics in use. The action taken by Lt Col Mitchell lifted our morale. I flew out from Khormaksor in November 1967 with a sense of shame at the surrender to terrorists. The way Mitchell was treated was a disgrace. I am afraid the British bull dog had become a poodle.
This video brings back memories, I served with 45CDO from May until the withdrawal, straight from training, green under the gills, served with some great guys, many no doubt have passed away now, as I'm 74.
Thanks for this Chris. My father served in Aden with the royal engineers, I think it was in 63/64, and I grew up with stories of the places you mentioned
I lived here as a six year old between 1964 and 66. Great for a young boy we had an escort to school, watched the RAF bomb the local mountains from the playground, armed troops on every corner and bullets going past your windows most nights. This was Northern Ireland on steriods!
Sry to say but in Aden they knew who the enemy was.....In N.I. it was a whole different story, nasty in every aspect and should have been identified as a war as this is what it was.
You are absolutely right. The problem is that the top brass (generals) are cowards who, instead of defending their men, go along with the politicians to preserve their posts and privileges.
The end of Empire was usually very messy and unpleasant. However, it was always better that Britain left its former colonial possessions than try to cling on.
I was there at Khormaksar when "Mad Mitch" took Crater back, arriving June 21, 1967 and leaving sometime in September 1967. Served with 1 Squadron RAF Regiment. I was not sorry to leave the place commonly known as the rectum of the world and apparently still remains so.
Well thanks for reminding me of my childhood. I was a school kid in Aden from 1966 to 1967, only a year but remember the armoured school bus with Northumberland Fusiliers guarding us. I remember the gunshots in the night. I was 9 when I was evacuated with all the other families. I went on to join the RAF and served for 28 years. My father (RASC) stayed on till near the end. A very forgotten chapter in British history.
When Mitch went into Crater up on the surrounding hills there was an entire Commando Brigade: 40, 42 & 45 CDO Royal Marines. If an Arab so much as looked "wrongly" as Mitch & his men, they would have been blasted! The Marines used their 120mm Recoilless Rifles simply to deal with a lone rifleman. My source was one of my Instructors who served in 45 CDO. Mitch was far from brilliant. He actually disobeyed written Orders held in his hands telling not to go into Crater. His response was to tell the Gov't., "We left 15 mins ago." In response to gunmen popping popping out of the narrow alleyways to take pot shots at Army vehicles, he had them bricked up several feet high. No more pot shots. Result, they lobbed hand grenades over & now troops couldn't respond. The SAS guys & others were in Crater posing as Arabs & they were bumping off the 'bad guys'. Defence Sec. Healey doesn't come out of this with any glory. He allowed 6 SAS blokes to be chopped up & have their heads used as footballs & stuck on spikes, 'up country'. no response. Not so long ago in Lebanon. 4 Russians were kidnapped by some Muslim lot. One was killed. The Russians did their Intelligence work & sussed out things. Their Premier, (not Putin), gave Orders. They lifted a high up member of the Organization responsible. Probably tortured him for information, then decapitated him & stuck his genitals in his mouth. Or, cut off his genitals, stick them in his mouth & then chopped his head off! They delivered the package to either his wife/sister/sister-in-law. In 15 minutes the 3 remaining Russians were free & unharmed. We in the West are viewed as a 'soft Touch'. As Mao said, "The West is a Paper Tiger".
My Grandfather was based there as an RAF flight sergeant and took his family in the early 1960s. My grandmother, mother, uncle and aunt lived there for 3 years. They went out on a troopship and flew back on a propeller airliner. They had a holiday in Mombasa from Aden. Virtually unheard of early 1960s UK. Mum's impressions of Aden, however, were not great!
Your mention of Mombasa brought back to memory of a guy (name withheld) who I served with at R.A.F. Digby in the early 60's. He did a one year tour on Ghan. He went to Mombasa for a holiday. approximately 6 weeks after his return to Ghan, a dose of the Clap broke out on his privates. When reporting to the sick bay, the M.O. wouldn't believe his story, i.e. the delayed period before his 'break out', and more or less accussed him of puff activity amonst the male only population on the island. Ultimatley , his condition was cured. ps He was Irish!
Fully enjoy yr channel. Its like a whos who of campaigns of my old regiment. 1st Bn The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The legend Col Mitchell made a visit/tour of the battalion at Redford Barracks,Edinburgh in the early 80s and is still held in the very highest regards by all ranks of the regiment . Ne Obliviscaris Sans Peur
Thank you for covering the Aden Emergency, the tales from the Colonial wars and the end of the British Empire don't get enough recognition. Any chance of you doing a video about the British in Oman,and the attack on Mirbat?
As a pre teen I followed this conflict on the News Mitches heroic acts were the stuff of movies . .At 15 and 6 months I reported to the Guards depot Pirbright I was never to match mad Mitch as a hero but he was my compass .
My Dad was one of 30 Black Watch that served in Crater with the Argyles in 67. That was a very diplomatic description of events. He used to tell stories about it. They aren't for polite conversation round the dinner table.
Thank you for this. My father served there in the Royal Anglians. Oddly enough, he seemed to have enjoyed his time there. When I was in the Royal Marines during the early 80s, my sergeant and a couple of the other, older, NCOs told me a few stories about their time over there. I never really understood the circumstances behind it all until now so, job well done.
We stopped fighting the Soldier's war in WWII, and since then, it's been all about bureaucrats and money-making military machine. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc etc etc. War is hell but if you want to win, you have to Smash the opposition, talk really does nothing unless you have them on the ropes or kneeling. Which is in my eyes a disservice to the men and women who ask to fight.
That was another interesting part of British military history. Thank you for educating me on the history of the British empire and the hardships the military faced as the British empire was being dismantled.
I remember a very good friend of mine was station in Aden during this time he told me how quickly you sobered up when a bomb went off nearby, I note towards the end that awful MP tam dyall poked his nose in a failed officer, The man just didnt understand !
My dad was an RAF Argosy pilot based at Aden along with a 4 year old me, my mother and baby sister. There is an Argosy in the background of the shot of General Tower at 14:50 - could be my old dad at the controls - you never know. We lived in a block of flats near Tarshyne beach and one of our neighbors in the flat below was killed when an RPG was fired into his flat. Our much loved amah (nanny) Hadil, a local Yemeni woman, was shot up with a submachine gun for "collaborating" with the British, though fortunately lived. We were all evacuated back to the UK during the emergency - I remember the evacuation at night during which we came under fire - a stray round clipped the edge of my shoe. Hadil (means "cooing of pigeons") came too as she had no family or tribe to protect her and became our live-in adopted auntie/granny (nobody including her knew how old she was). She couldn't read and never really learned English, so my sister and I grew up bilingual in English and Yemeni Arabic so we would read for her and translate anything complex that needed to be discussed between my parents and Hadil. She was a huge character and was greatly feared by the local shop keepers in the UK as she insisted on haggling over everything and would yell at them in Arabic and broken English until they gave up and gave her a better price on a tin of beans or whatever, just to get her out of the shop.
I did two tours in Aden, the first in 1965 in the Radfan and the second up until the handover in 1967. I was A Rock Ape with 2 sqd RAF Regiment Para and was there when Mad Mitch marched into the crater. However it should also be said that the Argyles were not completely alone, there were snipers and support back up from other units including mine. We too have brothers in The Silent Valley Cemetery. Per Ardua. 3:51
My bro was there with The Cameronians Scottish Rifles I believe 1966...had photos of him and his buddies up in the mountains (Radfan) on lookout for long periods as well as their quarters which were in tents. They were very young soldiers but did what they had to. Talked about how the children had to be escorted to/from school and the ladies being escorted by bus to the shops for groceries. They also had to go into the desert as the insurgents were known to poison the wells. Lots of conflict and danger and that was before Mad Mitch. Lots of soldiers lost their lives there.
Poor recruitment in Scotland. Since the 90s probably. Half tbe Scottish division are Fijian. I personally don't think it's politics but type who used to join would have had 2 or 3 run ins with the law. Used to be able to join army for a petty punishment. Then they stopped anyone joining with convictions such as ABH. Is stupid
My Form Teacher in High School, in New Zealand, in 1964, was a Scotsman and veteran of Aden. I recall him telling me a colourful story of how while on vehicle patrol in Aden he was shot in the leg. He said a wog jumped out of the shadows and emptied his Stengun at the Landover. A round went through the door and hit him on the buckle on his sock [can't recall what he actually called it now, but he was in kilt at the time]. He said that the buckle took the remaining energy of the bullet and left him with a fairly minor superficial wound. He said that the "Boys" in the Landrover had opened up on the Arab and dropped him in the street, where he went over to see the man who tried to kill him. He said he was amazed at the smell of roast pork. [From the bullet wounds in the Arab]. My teacher was Jimmy Horne and he had been a Corporal in Aden. I remained friends with him until his death - great guy, great teacher, RIP.
@raycorrigan3297, That would be an Eastern Oriental Gentleman. Facial features and general stature are different. Wogs are more "European" in looks. However, it is a euphonium for a derogatory term. [Euphemism - no, that's not a brass musical instrument].
Time proves that it was incorrect to give up the colonies, even India and it's partitioned thirds should have been kept. Now there is a active war on all Anglo-Saxon's and our history. Most of the former colonies are failed governments, and the residents were far better of under Crown Rule.
Even if it was politically acceptable at home for us to try to hold a quarter of the world under British rule, in the age of internet and mobile phones it would be absolutely impossible however much blood and treasure we expended. In the time of the Industrial Revolution we had the manpower, a fleet, the communications and the weaponry, and half the people we ruled were still living in conditions that hadn't improved since the Dark Ages and lacked the means or the will to resist. Look at the twentieth century: the US for all its firepower was thrashed in Vietnam like the French before them, the Russians were chased out of Afghanistan and the UK and the US couldn't do any better in recent times. What I will concede is that at the end of the Pax Britannica we thought we had taught the world the virtues of democracy and the rule of law. We were wrong, because with the exception of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, pretty much every part of our erstwhile Empire has reverted to tribalism, civil war and corruption. Is that because all these people are inherently inferior, did we just not make the most of our chances to improve their lot, or is our system of government just unsuitable for peoples with different cultures which have endured for millennia? We only have to look at Boris Johnson and Liz Truss to see that our own political system is pretty fragile too, so who are we to preach?
The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland are doing rather well. India is only one place behind the UK in terms of GDP and is well poised to overtake it - I doubt that would have happened if the UK had somehow managed to retain India. The UK needs to get its own house in order first instead of sulking about its neighbours and others
Aden was only British because of India. It was a treaty cessation by the East India Company for coaling and a naval base I think. Without India, the only reasons for Aden were Singapore and Hong Kong. Now there WAS a reason to keep or support some of the settler colonies in Africa, which was supporting British expats and settlers. However, both the USA, USSR, and the British elite do not like ethnic nationalism, and so, the empire died. So Britain didn’t have much of a choice anyway. Speaking as a non British man.
Nah colonialism just can't be justified in this day and age, even if the people you hand the country back to are nutters who turn the country into a basket case. At least it's their basket case.
I was in Aden - RAF Khormaksar - and didn't leave for RAF Sharjah until just weeks before we finally left. Mad Mitch was a hero to us too. (The RAF invariably gets forgotten in all this.) It's interesting (at least to me!) that if anyone these days ever asks to see my medal (my GSM - "For Campaign Service") they always ask why the clasp reads "South Arabia" rather then "Aden." In future I'll point them to this video! It really is one of the forgotten campaigns.
My RAF family lived in Aden during the early part of the conflict. As a youngster, I loved the sight of Shackletons and Hawker Hunters constantly taking off and landing. My mother worked for the Yemeni sheik. Life was pretty easy - we could afford a servant! But the writing was on the wall and we were sent back to England. Aden became a backwater, losing the tourist trade and allowing the Russians to fill the gap.
hmm. A real good documentary well done, however a small detail. The Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders were slated for disbandment and maybe the actions of Mad Mitch had to be viewed through this lense. As I read it a long time ago, this action brought the public on the side of the Regiment and prevented disbandment. Otherwise a damn good doc, well done.
I see that most of the Scottish Regiments have been amalgamated in with the former Black Watch but are allowed to be identified e.g. 1Scots, 2cots etc. Their Pipe Bands if they had one are still in their Regimental tartan but the Military bands in with the Black watch....I believe the soldier are now dressed as Black Watch (Now The Royal Artillery of Scotland). Again, political cutbacks by parliament who know nothing and Scotland is fair game to them.
My Dad served in Aden ( as well as Malaya and Cyprus) with the RAF in the late 60s. He was an armourer and Bomb Disopsal but he also had some sort of role in a NAFFI type club. His stories about Four Five Commandos antics- something about being the most brutal people he had to deal with and a story about 'rolling people (other bootnecks) about in barbed wire ' - amongst other things (Falklands news) led to me joining to corps in the late 90s. (And 45 CDO a few years later). Also have had some good friends who served in the Argylls (although not in aden)
I ws at Khormaksar when we left Aden. It was a classic organised withdrawal and NOTHING like the debacle at Kabul. 45 Commando formed the rear guard as an impeccable fighting command and ensured the last helicopter evacuations. I had previously been part of MEC Command at Steamer Point. Barry Fryer (now 80)
The last RAF aircraft that was based at Khormaksar, Dakota KN452 flew out a few days before the Royal Marines left. Flying via Jeddah, Cairo, ElAdam, Frejus and into Kemble. Long flight and we only just made it because of icing over France - no deicing on the Aden Dakota! Making history, very exciting Mike Isherwood-Bennett, Jerry Schellong and me. RIP Mike and Jerry.
Read the book, age of emergency living with violence at the end of the British Empire by Erik Linstrum. British heads held high, you must be joking. What the hell were British troops doing in all these country’s anyway who invited you in.
Excellent doc and coverage…It had to be done….and done well…which I believe you have done…duty fulfilled and thanks a million. Only hope that the people of Britain will take an interest that this part of our history deserves. All those men were heroic and all their opponents mere murderers. God bless our People, and our men that went through those undeserved horrors. R.I.P.
Fifties' Sixties and Seventies Britain was a great time to be a kid, teenager and young man,veterans were all around,not just from The Second World War,but the umpteen conflicts after. In fact 1968 was the only year after the war The British Army was not deployed in action then, as far as I know. I year later they were in N I, then there is Oman,which no one was supposed to know about. Nothing bothered the old vets,they had seen it all,so had some of the civvies,no one messed with the cops either. Most of them were ex service.
Really? I have to question one or two of your assertions :- Those 'murderers', some of which, no doubt were murderers, were effectively seeking to Free Their Country of Foreign Occupants. ' Undeserved horrors', surely they were a part and parcel of the mind set whilst dealing with the foreigners. Our forefathers did little to oppose the 1066 invaders, and their subsequent occupation, so perhaps they were less, as your say, heroic.
The only comment I can make is that most of the time the soldiers knew who the enemy was with the exception of N.I. Those of I descent would suffer the most because of their heritage. Has not changed much , still an accident waiting to happen. @@philiprufus4427
My father served in Aden in the early 60s with 1st Battalion KOSB and I first went to school while we were stationed there. Your video brought back many memories of that time. Thank you.
I was told by a armourer vet of the time that the UK sold off all its HE 2inch mortar rounds to Australia, when the Aden crisis came about the government had to buy them back. It seems nothing changes.
As a former soldier of 20 years, I look now at an awful lot of the conflicts since the end of WW2 and ask myself: "Why?" But then I remind myself, that the soldiers involved (after 1963 at least) were all Regular Army, professionals who took pride in their trade. Theirs not to reason why, etc., etc. I personally only ever considered the 'job' and my mates and subordinates - not the great political strategies which are fleeting compared to the comradeship of the troops. Great video (as are they all), many thanks.
Interesting, the British withdrawal east of suez might make an interesting topic,it certainly had implications for Australia's defence,drawing us closer to the US,which was close anyway with our involvement in the vietnam war
Lt Col Michell- what a courageous leader, in the late 19th century, he would have been lauded as a hero, but in the post WW2 world, he was a round peg in a square hole. His treatment post Aden was no doubt calculated to make an example of him, thereby influencing other army officers to toe the party line in future. Mitch and the A&SH- men of steel, did a superb job in Crater and restored British prestige. The public loved Mitch, but the politicians certainly didn't.
Yes! Another excellent lecture Chris, let's learn some more of what we know less about. As far as I remember, a film - TV series was made about the Aden conflict, or is it somewhere else, or is it i whom do not remember correctly? I hope you will do something about the New Zealand wars? Well done.👍
There was a British tv series, The Last Post. ..but in true (recent) British style,it was Woke & Liberal, and seemed more interested in pushing the values taught at today's universities than covering actual events.
@@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd 'End of Empire, is good ! Made before woke c - - -. It used to be on youtube,but a lot of stuff has been taken down. EoE covered everything from Palestine to Aden,including Malaya Suez Kenya,Cyprus etc. Great stuff, enjoy your vids,been reading and watching British Military History since I learned to read,(70 now). Quite a few of the family served going back to The Boer War. To be expected. The counties in England are Devon(Devonport)Cornwall and Yorkshire. Add Scotland to that lot and you are bound to find a Matelot or Pongo somewhere along the line.
I worked in Aden for a short while around the turn of the century. I found the local people friendly enough, but their attitude to work was sadly lacking. They used to do crazy things which would never be acceptable in UK industry. The country was also extremely corrupt and the streets were full of beggars. I visited Crater a few times. It was a place where you could exchange your money, but it was well downtrodden. The Western companies were there at the time trying to get a foothold in a developing country. But I think civil war has finished that altogether. I didn't work there long, and I believe that all the Western style Hotels in Aden are now deserted and probably blown up! Pity for the ordinary people of a country again. You find this world wide in my experience.
3:39 The littlest Soldier. I believe we've found him. This was an outstanding history lesson, and the picture of the little fellow standing at full attention with the full-sized fellows makes one wonder where he came from and how he fared.
Mitch was a bloody good officer treated abominably by the establishment, he showed them how it should be done not pussy footing as the government of the day we’re prone to do!
There was one British casualty during the reoccupation of Crater. A SAS soldier dressed as an arab and working undercover in Crater was shot in the backside by the Argylls. It is covered in the Aden episode of Empire Warriors by the BBC, which is available on UA-cam.
Ah memories. Two weeks in Aden in 1963 (between ships) that were dominated by flies. Then as now the Arabs revel in arguing whether about religion, tribal obligations or who are more attractive - women or small boys.
I remember reading about FLOSY and the Radfan, particularly about the SAS' operations there. And, yeah, Aden sounds like a blueprint for the cut-and-run Democrats all too eager to hand some place over to the Commies or the crazies. And I also believe colonialism helped make the world safer by keeping the crazies and wannabe Commies in their box. As the song says, those were the days, my friend.
Two points: 1. As early as 1958-60 when I was there with my father who served in RAF, we were subject to violent stikes in Aden and armed conflict with groups based in Yemen in the Radfan area. 2. Radio Nassar was already boardcasting in both Arabic and English into the colony.
My cousin was there in the REME, only remembered him commenting on the heat. It may not have been ours but what a disaster it's been with us forced out, much the same for most of the other commonwealth countries!
My Father was there in the RAF Police during that debacle and knew Mitchell, he respected his professionalism, his critics were the usual sleezeball Politicians and incompetent Career Senior Ruperts.
I know the UK is a bit more frugal on medals for bravery than the US, but I'm supprised Mad Mitch didn't get some extra letters after his name after all this.
My father was in Aden I havea great picture of myself getting off the white school guarded by a Northumberland fussilier 20 years later in a small town my father stopped dead in his tracks Coming towards us was one of the fussiliers he had served with in Aden It truly is a small world
I was an army brat in Aden. We lived there for seven years and left in 1965. I have fond memories of Aden and despair of the turmoil that has prevailed. Aden was a prosperous place in the sixties. Aden could have been the Dubai of today.
Hello from the Colonies. I watched your recap of the Aden Protectorate with great interest. As a 17 year old sailor aboard the USS Eaton DDE 510 USN, I arrived in Aden Harbor in April 1957. We were on Red Sea patrol and shuttled between Aden and Masawa, Eritria for port calls. Both lovely places as you can imagine. On our final departure from Aden we were piped away by the Cameron Highlanders and had a RAF flyby. A very low level flyby, as I was standing on the bridge 37 feet above the water and had to look down to see the aircraft.
I learned to drink whisky with no ice at the Rock Hotel and I continue to do so to this day.
Thank you for sharing your memories. It is those little facts that make history interesting.
Whiskey no ice, ironically at the Rock Hotel.
Not much of a rock hotel, if they haven’t got any ice. 😄
Was Saratoga on the fleet.
@@daveyjuice7710: Actually, we were the fleet. The Eaton patrolled the approaches to the Bab el Mandeb and the USS Bache DDE 470 patrolled the Persian Gulf. If "Sara" was around she probably would have been in the Med.
Point of interest: Both the Eaton and the Bache are now sleeping with the fishes. Eaton was sunk as a target ship in the 1970s and Bache was wrecked on Rhodes in 1968.
Interesting. I had heard of Crater Aden and now you’ve put flesh on the bone. If “Mad Mitch” earned respect his troops that’s most important of all. I’d been to the P.D.R. of South Yemen, one of the sweatiest places ever, as BP had a refinery in what was a communist enclave. Strange old world.
Thank you, Chris. My oldest brother (3 Para) saw active service in Aden during that time. What’s more, Mad Mitch was a household name when I was a boy - my dad, a 30 year fighting soldiers, was an Argyll and Sutherland Highlander, later 6 (Army) Commando during WWII; commissioned King’s Regiment, attached Herefords during Palestine; attached Malay Regiment during the first Emergency; attached Sarawak Rangers during the Confrontation; attached SAS as jungle warfare instructor; finally attached Singapore Guard Regiment. When I was a small boy growing up in the Far East, he used to carry me to bed playing my leg like it was the chanter on a set of bagpipes while humming The Barren Rocks of Aden. I did the same when my daughter was small. Thank you for the memories, and for shining a light on the Aden conflict.
Thanks for sharing your story. Glad it brought back memories
And now the TV adverts wanting us to send money because the greed of the local rulers
Good story man cool
Huge respect. My own father was in the parachute regiment in Palestine.
Has your father ever been back to Sarawak? That's where I'm from and were used to having many ex servicemen back here I much more peaceful times and they've all enjoyed seeing how the place has developed and progressed, much due to ppl like your dad and their incredible sacrifices and service 50 yrs ago
Thanks for talking about this history! I served in Iraq in 2004 and my Son served in Afghanistan twice. This history sounds very familiar. When will we learn?
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment
When will we learn to tell the politicians to piss off, do you mean?
seems to be a common denominator re stan and iraq,a certain war criminal called blair whom the establishment have sheltered once again
Thanks for your Service, respect means one cannot comment on Politicians and Elites Business interests in these conflicts.
@@davesherry5384 when will we learn not to get involved in other people's countries
Mitchell’s General Service Medal had five clasps on it at the end of his career. His experience was quite extensive for a post war British officer.
Thanks for sharing
@@TheHistoryChap
HE WAS A DINOSAUR.
The argylls were hated in Ireland.
Check google images.
"black wogs ....green wogs"
He was the only officer not to receive a campaign medal, for his behaviour in Aden , his 1968 resignation stinks he was told to resign our face criminal charges, all officers who resign are given a customary 7 months notice, his was immediately accepted, he and the argylls atrocities were covered up in Aden
@@VilhelmHammershoi1666
If you go to google images you can see the argyll ans sutherlands in N.Ireland only a few years later.
@@VilhelmHammershoi1666
They usually are. The major on the ground on bloody Sunday when 14 civilians were killed was given an award by the queen. When they're given a decoration, to question it questions the entire monarchy. It's basically like a Papal blessing
I got to know Colin Mitchell in Cambodia in 1990. We were setting up a prosthetics facility and Colin came out to advise on mine clearance in his capacity as head of the Halo Trust. Part of my job was to ‘chaperone’ him - needless to say a thankless task! An extraordinary man.
I never met or even saw mad Mitch but as a member of 47 Regt RA we came under him but as is norm no mention of us. But he was still a favorite of mine.
Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven
There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
My brother was one of the last RAF personnel to leave Aden, his wife and children had already been evacuated. His last assignment was to go up the Radfan Valley (I think it was the name) and help hold back the Yemenis while the Sappers destroyed all the equipment and materiel that could not be evacuated by sea or air - everything including dental clinics. When he came back to he said he would join Mad Mitch anytime he wanted a mercenary.
Thank you so much for sharing
The autobiography of Lt Col Mitchell, "Having Been A Soldier", is well worth reading. The photograph on the front cover is iconic: it speaks to me of courage, discipline, loyalty, integrity, selfless commitment and respect for others.
Yes it is a good read.
Too True,He inspired some young and old at the time,if not lefties remembering.
But even Labour oldies who had served had known officers like him and seemed to respect.
Courage, discipline, loyalty, integrity, selfless commitment, our current politicians, of all sides, no longer recognise these qualities.
"Mad Mitch" was a great A&SH officer that had to sort out what politicians caused. A solid British hero. We either shape the world or we are shaped by it and the pithy critics of the British Empire on here remind me of what Roosevelt once said about such types. That It is not the critic who counts for these cold and timid souls shall neither know victory nor defeat.
Thanks for taking the time to comment
@@TheHistoryChap I'm visiting the Kabul British Cemetery in Kabul with a Captain John Cook VC who died in the 2nd Afghan war around Christmas time in 1879. I think his brother died a few days before. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of colonialism, the individual stories of men dying far from home can't fail to touch and inspire.
I completely agree with you. Having kicked the British out with the help of the Soviet Union, ( Russian imperialism in disguise ) have the local people gained a better quality of life? They are now pawns of either the Iranians or the Saudis, neither of which actually care for them. There are so many places in the world that have become failed states once British influence receded. Funny old thing, having hated us and kicked us out, then where do they want to travel to as refugees, assylum seekers or migrants?
Thank you,let the blighters look to some of the other Empires if they have need of GENOCIDE !
The German,Dutch,Italian,Belgian or Portugese or Spanish come to mind. Then there's The French ! still in a colonial war in the sixties. Oh Sorry ! I missed out The Japanese and Imperial and Post 1917 Russia, even America,(From the Shores of Montezuma,to The Shores of Tripoli - Also The Philipines, - God Bless The US Marines,you get to join if you are African American or Asian also,just be a Marine !
The understanding of History of some of todays kiddiewinkies is terrifying.
Try sitting in the road in some countries ! You will find yourself looking at the underside of an armoured vehicle.
Funny how he's "Bwitish" and nor Scots LoL .....Classic little englander syndrome !!!
My dad severed in Aden in 1964/1965 (RAF) and my youngest sister was born there. I can remember and i was only 4 years old, every time my mum went to the shops a solider always escorting us.
I have a friend who landed the job of guarding the wives & children whilst swimming
My dad served in Aden (RAF) at that time and I was born at Steamer Point Hospital in Aden. It gave me some issues with getting my passport in later years and even now when I fill in online forms where you need to put place of birth.
@@TheHistoryChap Do you know what unit he served? The ones I remember specifically on escort duty (among front line stuff) were mostly RAF Regiment and Cameronians, also 1 RNF, QDG and quite possibly the Lancs Rgt and P.W.O. (Yorks).
I also recall seeing members of 1 RIR (Royal Irish Rangers) with their dark green hackles, rarely mentioned. Not sure if the whole battalion was deployed to Aden.
1 Para were busy over at Sheik Othman and Al Mansura outer districts, two places highly volatile with grenade incidents and shootings more or less 24/7 during 1967.
@@sharonlarsen3642Wot you expect dealing with office wallahs
I was there in 67 as a bairn my dad stationed there with the r h a
Nasser did not defeat the British and French, that was President Eisenhower in the US, that forced the withdrawal out of Egypt by threatening to destroy the British economy. Mad Mitch was a great hero in all the British military for his stance against terrorism, I know as I was serving at the time. But Harold Wilson's Labour Government were seen as traitors for their compliance and sometimes active support of terrorists who had just murdered British soldiers. Aden port, the main employer in South Yemen was gone and the country rapidly deteriorated into poverty, all those trade unions wanting to kick the British out, all joined the ranks of the unemployed.
👍🇬🇧
It was the soviet union under Khrushchev who defeated the British and the French in Suez actually, Khrushchev has threatened to bomb both London and Paris with Nukes if they did not withdraw
The Labour party under Bliar was just a treacherous as Wilson's government in sacrificing British soldiers of all arms. Was it not a Labour government that sent troops into Northern Ireland......
Well said.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
My dad was part of the last unit of the Royal Engineers to leave, he being a T.A . specialist reserve (water well drilling) . Years later, when I was serving with 84sqn RAF at Nicosia, the family came out for a visit. During a conversation with one of our pilots they both realised that his unit was airlifted on a wessex flown by the same pilot....small world isn't it.
Probably knew my husband
The country needs more people like Mad Mitch.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
No relation to Mad Mike Hoare?
Patriots so often betrayed by the politicos.
We still have them. Don't worry. Anachronistic and out of vogue, but still around.
We had them in the Falklands like mad Mitch.Our ship docked in Aden and we heard a few booms. We weren't allowed ashore.I was cheering our troops in my mind.
My Dad served with the RAF in Aden in 64 til 66. It was quite a hair raising time.
I’m sure my Dad would have enjoyed your video, as he felt that it was a forgotten part of our Forces history.
Thank you for your video. 🇬🇧🇺🇦
Not forgotten by this 70 year old,I was fourteen at the time.
Mitch and his lads cheered the War 11 Vets and National Service Vets 'No End ' at the time,as I remember.
Very kind of you. Thanks.
What part of ukraine is British? None? Then don't dare post that rag next to the Union Jack.
@@RustieFawn get over yourself lad
My father also served in the RAF in Aden and was nearly blown up.... he never spoke about it much.
Great story again, Chris, having served in Pakistan in the 1980's for UNICEF I recognise those trible uprisings to witch we, "colonials" were subjected to.and the lack of understanding of politicians of history that lead to so many brave soldiers dying. Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing your experiences
Now some of the beggars are bringing those conflicts to The UK (or whats left of it), our forfathers would have treated them to the 'Lahti'or the 'Rope.' Maybe even a company of Sikhs, Jats, or Gurhka's.
Our leaders today extend the hand of leniency. It will be bitten off,by some,laughingly.
@@philiprufus4427Pakistani and Arab islamists just staged a 100,000 person March in London. Good luck in dealing with that mess
The treatment of Mitchell after returning from Eden was likely to make an example of him as a warning to any other similar-minded officers in the British military. It's sad that Mitchell's daring aggressiveness would have won him accolades and adulation earlier but the current mindset of the politicians and higher ups instead aborted what could have been a promising military career for a brave man.
He did good stuff later on in his life with HALO Trust
Note that he was promoted from the ranks. This was a dangerous job and the 'old boys club' were not about to send one of their own. After having prevented a bloodbath, rather than being congratulated he was blamed for the few casualties.
It was ever thus.
P.S. I was there '60' to '62', all peace & quiet then.
Colonizing is frowned up on. ! --- so.. yeah.. he deserved scorn.
@@elsuperxolo3494 Hardly a colony for exploitation - more like a motorway service station for ships till mpg improved.
Did we ever leave an overseas territory where the locals did not end up fighting each other?
Hong Kong maybe but that is just a matter of time I suppose. The American colonies, India/Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Sudan and almost everywhere else in Africa because it's what they do, Palestine, Malaya and British Honduras (Belize) all come to mind but I suppose many did not. Notably, all Islands in the West Indies have had only peace since we left. So there you have it Ganja is the key to world peace!
You for taking the time to comment
My dad served out there in ‘67. he was an RAF engineering Warrant Officer responsible for the Hunter Squadrons. He wrote home to my mum and said, ‘don’t believe all you read in the papers out here, the reporters spend most of their time sitting in the mess drinking,’. He told me of the mad panic to evacuate RAF Khormaksar, they were cannibalising aircraft to get as many serviceable as possible, what was left were blown up. In typical MOD fashion, the camp had recently gone through an upgrade to the married quarters, even though they knew it was going to be handed back in the late 60’s. I’m sure many ex servicemen could identify with that style of forward planning.
Thanks for sharing your dad’s interesting story.
I served at saltpans from 1967 to 1969 ground radio
Lol. They did it as well in my last unit chum! Everything in the garden was rosy, to be handed to a bunch of politician scum bags.
Very much so LoL In Osnabruck in the late 90's early 2000's a brand new Gym all singing all dancing and a brand new cookhouse were built only for it all to be handed back to the German Stadt on DRAWDOWN in 2009 !!
had the renovation on close down happen when 60MU at RAF Leconfield in east Yorkshire, I asked why all the roads were being resurfaced and was told that when contracts had been awarded they had to be completed or there were penalty payments hence places got refurbished, Leconfield was turned over to the Army in the end to become a driver training unit so the road refurb was handy in this case.
Another gripping adventure , excellent work. Thank You. Any chance of covering the exploits of Mad Mike Hoare and Sandline International/Executive outcomes? Cheers
Mad Mike ? now there's 'a blast from the past'. Once introduced himself to a Jap truck driver in Burma as a young Chindit. The Jap queried him,so Mad Mike cut the mans head off with a machete. Some lovely people you meet in The British armed Forces. Mad Mike got promoted and went on to become a mercenary in Africa.
Dad deployed to Aden grandad and an uncle wore the Glengarry.......brilliant stuff tho i did shed a tear ✌
Thanks for watching
❤❤❤
I was also posted to Aden/South Jemen in late 1966 as a British Army Medic attached HQ Anglians. The A&SH were not folks you'd want to encounter on any occasion. Absolute solid soldiers! I had fleeting meetings with "Mad Mitch" and can only concur that he was very much a "soldiers' soldier". He knew what he was demanding from his troops and expected the corresponding results.
Unfortunately, I was wounded by a grenade blast (as a Medic) in September 1967 and EVACUd on the same day to, first Cyrus, and then to the UK.
I variously served in Singapour Lines at Khormaksar, the Crabs' Hospital at Steamer Point and Camp Dahla up on the border of what was South Jemen.
MsG
Thanks for taking the time to share your recollections.
How dare you fly an Irish Tricolour on an article glorifying British brutality against native people as they have done in the 4 corners of the world including Ireland
Some of that brutality must have been carried out by Irishmen then, The Dublin Fusilers,The Munsters,The Leinsters,The Connnaught Rangers, The RIC. Even a third of The RIC Auxiliary (The Auxies) were Irish some were even Canadian,American, Australian or New Zealand. A Pound a day went a long way in 1920,particularily if you had just had a couple of years in the Western Front or Middle East.
Your own Tom Barry fell into that category apparently,his dad was also an Inspector in The RIC.
Nothing is what it seems. @@aidanmoore8499
@@aidanmoore8499Have you any idea the amount of irishmen of both religions that garrisoned the 4 corners of the empire.How many irishmen fought in ww1 compared to the Easter rising .
Chris, and the Aden Vets who assisted with this research. Thank you for presenting a very balanced view, and in doing so, offering a tribute to all those who served and made sacrifices, not forgetting the innocent British service children also killed.
I was in Aden 1966-7 and witnessed the thick end of the insurgency, including narrowly escaping injury from a time delayed mine. It wrecked an aircraft at Khormaksar airfield, but the blast just threw me to the sand.
Most nights were spent going to sleep with the sound of grenades, mortars and gunfire. Aden was hot, very hot indeed. But each and every day we lived and went about our lives in full confidence of our strong and marvellous British Army, RAF, Royal Navy and Royal Marines doing their work under intensely arduous conditions.
Of course you cannot possibly name all individual units and the wide spectrum of all those serving in Aden, but if I may include a special mention to the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), disbanded soon after repatriation. They did a wonderful job of protecting families and trying to keep the peace. God bless them.
Ditto the many loyal and decent indigenous Adenese, many who served with the British in the Aden Protectorate Levies, always immaculately turned out with their camels. I could name so many more.
Proud to say that from a once barren wasteland, the British left Aden with much investment and goodwill in terms of schools, hospitals, a modern airport, cinemas, sewerage, water supply, electricity and modern infrastructure from which to offer a better life.
My Father was in RAF Police during that debacle, he had also been in Libya, never was a fan of hot deserts or being shot at by Arabs after this.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and to call out the Cameronians and the Aden Levies. The latter were left high and dry when we pulled out (sound familiar?)
The Cameronians were a great Scottish Regiment,disbanded when I was 15 in 1968 I think.
They have a fine memorial to the regiment outside The Art Galleries in Glasgow.I have been privilaged to attend Rememberance Services there with mates whose fathers served in the regiment. Working around The West of Scotland for the best part of fifty years I was privilaged to work with many former vets of the Regiment.
Many were the tales they had to tell us youngsters. They were all nice guys too.
@@philiprufus4427 My knowledge of the Cameronians were that they were tough, efficient, and like the A&SH, stood no nonsense. Also that they were led properly, the C.O. being the much respected Lt.Col Dow as I recall. They were just the kind of soldiers you want to depend on in a hot spot like Aden.
In 1968, the Cameronians voluntarily chose disbandment over amalgamation via reforms of the Labour government. One can only guess why after loyally serving the crown since 1881, and part of a Scottish militia long before that. I recommend to you the compelling speech given by a former Chaplain during the Disbandment Ceremony at Hamilton.
I too, had the personal privilege of placing a memorial to them, this one on Plymouth Hoe with kind permission of the Aden Vets. Association and a former officer from the Cameronians who served in Aden.
As I recall, the blown up aircraft was an Aden Air DC 3. I don’t think that we lost any aircraft, even when the revolt took place on the far side of the airfield and the local soldiers shot a young UK officer who came out to see what happened. I remember crawling around on the pan with my friend Nigel Furniss avoiding bullets coming from the army camp.
Tower visited the A&SH officer's Mess. During a conversation with the Adjutant, Tower referred to, "You damned Argylls," the Adjutant immediately challenged Tower- the GOC Middle East, and demanded that he retract the comment. Tower refused, the Adjutant responded by ordering one of the Mess stewards to bring Tower's peaked cap on a silver platter, and he ordered Tower to leave the A&SH Mess. Tower, despite being THE senior British officer in the Middle East had to comply and leave the Mess.
Thank you for sharing that story
I had never heard how the British got out of Yemen before, actually. It's regrettable that they left the place in such a sad state, but was the place worth fighting for in the slightest for Britain, really?
Dont screw with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders best soldiers in the British Army!
Oh no, I can imagine the blue touch paper you have just lit 🤣
Well, we all have our favourites - The Cameronians is mine.
My maths teacher was invalided out of the RAF after serving in Aden,an extremely imposing figure he was too and one of the few teachers I actually respected!
Nothing but respect for these men.
Thanks for sharing
In the background, Russia was stirring up the trouble. When the British finally left a small force of Russian navel ships, tried to Dock. The locals would have none of it, they had got rid of one colonial power. They where not going to have a replacement. That story was told to me by a former Chekslovakian communist. You meet some interesting people in the merchant Fleet.
How interesting. Thanks for sharing.
The Russians then turned to the East Germans as their surrogates. The latter were not nice in their methods of putting down the locals but were of course unconstrained by the Press, all of whom had left Aden by then
Amazing stuff! Total British Bulldog spirit! Aden was a lost cause by that point and not worth fighting over but Mad Mitch was going to leave on his own terms and not be chased out! I think the SAS were also active in Aden at that time.
The SAS were very active at that time. I’m former Special Forces and I remember the soldiers and the stories they came back with, plus the Aden bar to their GSM Medal. And obviously, we moved into Dhofar, with the resultant swaray there. Take care and, thank you
"Bull dog spirit " my bottom. Mitchell was a massive ego in charge of an infantry regiment. The Argyle's brutalised the civilian population of Crater.
Madam your bottom can speak for itself but I generally find that bottoms talk S#!t
Aden is known as the forgotten war, rightly so, but what about Little Aden. It doesn't get a single mention in this video, I was there with 31 Light Battery Royal Artillery and on the 20th June we had 3 men wounded one of who sadly succumbed to his wounds on the 21st July. I as a very naive 17 yr old was in the same vehicle, we were there at the hand over parade in Falaise Camp and then moved to share quarters with A&SH as we were their support Battery, there we stayed until the withdrawal.
Thank you for mentioning little Aden.
I went to Aden twice in my life as a10yr old in 57 and 13yr old in 61 and it was a dump felt for our lads lot lost their lives for nothing except stupid government 😮 xx.
Thanks for sharing.
A very dear Friend of my Dad won the M.C. at Aiden. Sadly they lost contact. We still had people in this Country at that time who had a pair of balls. If they saw this place now, they would cry.
This was a great country then,it really was The United Kingdom,I was fourteen and the next twenty five years were ok.
@@philiprufus4427 In agreement with that. But it's done now my friend. We come from the East End and we saw this shit building there when I was young, I'm 53 now, and I absolutely dread watching the last remnants of everything that my family fought for being dismantled and trashed before my eyes. Our own are worthless ingrates let alone the crap we've let in. I wish I could piss off somewhere so I didn't have to have my heart broken daily. Those poor souls who gave their everything for this place, what a waste.
Thank you for taking the time to comment
My father was based in Aden from 1958-1960. He was a surgeon in the RAF. I can remember only a few things from our time there, swimming in the sea at the officer’s club inside of the shark nets, my introduction to rum & butter toffee and vague memories of primary school at Steamer Point.
I also remember going on board HMS Bulwark when it paid a visit to Aden.
Thanks for taking the time to share those childhood memories
I was there at the same time. My father was in the RAF, stationed at Khormaksar. I have good memories of our time there, yes even the Steamer Point primary school-except for the frozen milk we were given. The school only went from 8.30 -1pm if I recall correctly as it was deemed too hot to go all day. When we had a new school built on the RAF base we went until 3pm. Yes, we would go into the club at Steamer Point and swim in the netted pools. As strong as those pools were with huge steel posts set into concrete bases and thick chain mesh enclosing the area, the sharks would still get through at times and the pool would be closed until the hole had been fixed. Dad and a few of the chaps from work would hire a boat and go fishing. I caught my first shark when I was 8. We active kids on the base( living quarters) once foiled what we were told was a plot to smuggle munitions off to Yemen. We observed an Arabic worker visiting a large clump of bushes over a couple of weeks so went to take a look. We found a stache of small shells and boxes of bullets and carefully took them to one kid's Dad who was an MP. I can still recall his shocked reaction when we marched into his house carrying live ammo!
@@jenniferfarrar9190 I had forgotten about the school timetable, no school in the afternoon. It’s funny how a faint memory can be triggered, for some reason cream doughnuts rings a bell, also the swimming with the shark nets and there was a diving platform covered in slimy black sea slugs.
@@mike.47 Yes, no matter how faint, the memories are still there. I don't recall cream donuts- it must have been a family thing? I do recall that when we visited Steamer Point and went to Crater we used to go to a restaurant called 'The Red Galleon', and my fave meal was spag bol. There was a shop we also visited. It was like an oriental emporium; at my age, it seemed like Aladdin's cave of treasures. The owner had a pet gazelle I loved. He also had shells like small clams with little carved and painted scenes inside them, beautiful sandalwood fans, Asian fabrics, puzzle boxes, delicate glass wind chimes I had them hanging at my bedroom window, and the sound was so pure. We would spend hours poking around in there before catching the bus back home. By the way, did you and your family go to the designated holiday camp, Nyali, over near Mombasa?
@@jenniferfarrar9190 Yes we did go to Mombasa, and I vaguely remember visiting Mount Kilimanjaro. Going back to England was an adventure too on the ship called SS Dilwara, I’ve even found the passenger list for our voyage home, arriving at Southampton on 23rd June 1960.
In 1969, we were training for deployment to N Ireland, the riot kit had banners which we assumed stated “go home, or we will be very cross” as it was in Arabic it could have said anything. In one tiny point the Marines were evacuated by Wessex helicopters not Wasps, the Wasp being only a 4 seater. One of the Wessex's was flown by my brother.
Thanks for taking the time to correct me. Appreciate your input.
The sad thing is how many of these countries that were ruled or governed by the European powers then succeeded in gaining their "independence" and now are in worse shape than before.
Some countries cannot self rule.
Sad indeed
There was a Channel 4 TV series made in 1985 called End Of Empire which featured about 10 of the most prominent stories from the winding down of Britain's imperial rule. One of the episodes featured Aden and can be found on UA-cam along with all the other episodes like Rhodesia, Kenya etc. It was also related to a book written by Brian Lapping. It was immensely educational to me to learn so much about British /world history that I had never been exposed to at school (which I left in 1984)
Used it as one of my sources.
You don't get taught British History at school.It was all Russian and German modern history a bit about the Romans.One day spent on the Kings and Queens of England.One of by school mates said he had not heard about the Post war .He thought it was a war at the Post Office.He was right the Post Office has been destroyed.
Informative, educational and entertaining, top work old chap.
Thanks for your support
Thanks Chris, I very much enjoyed this video 👍. I did hope you would cover the Aden Emergency 63 - 67 and you certainly have. Lt Col Mitchell and his Argyll’s Battalion will always be remembered for their role in 67, great that you mentioned so many other Army cap badges, RAF, RN and RM, who all served in Aden, under very difficult circumstances. Mitchell did not get his full Colonel or awards due, personally I think that was a great shame. Thanks again and for sharing that your father served in Aden 👍🇬🇧
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching
Thank you for this Chris, I have been aware of the Aden Emergency since I was a kid, but I never took it upon myself to learn all of the details.
Hope you enjoyed it
There was a Channel 4 TV series made in 1985 called End Of Empire which featured about 10 of the most prominent stories from the winding down of Britain's imperial rule. One of the episodes featured Aden and can be found on UA-cam along with all the other episodes like Rhodesia, Kenya etc. It was also related to a book written by Brian Lapping. It was immensely educational to me to learn so much about British /world history that I had never been exposed to at school (which I left in 1984.
My wifes father served in aden as a national serviceman, he was in the P.O.W. yorkshire regmt , he was in a mortar platoon but was used mainly as an infantryman, he is still alive today.
Thanks for sharng
PWO is Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
30,000 British servicemen in Aden in 1967 ?!? That's about the whole British Army today.
I served there 1966-1967 and I can say the total number of servicemen/women was around the 5,000 mark. I remember the number as there was an attempt by some nutter to start up a "jihad", calling from the mosques for people to rise en mass and we quickly calculated this would work out as a ratio of something like 50:1
And don’t mention the size of the task force
I was serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious in 1967. We were on a Far East commission and I’m thinking that it must have been a couple of months before Mad Mitch did his thing in Crater because we were rapidly deployed from off Malaya to Aden. I believe this was the time when all non service personnel were being evacuated including service wives and children? Anyway we were sending our Buccaneers low over Crater as a show of force on a daily basis for about a week I think. I remember being pissed off because no shore leave was granted, which was probably just as well, 1500 matelots on a run ashore in a war zone would not have gone down well I’m sure. 😂
I was on 892 Hermes then I remember we were part of a flying anchor with Vics aircraft. We also gave the Arab leaders a demo of buccaneers labs bombing
I served in the RAF at Khormaksor from 1966 to 1967. I remember the uprising and what happened in Crater. We were very angry because of the softly softly tactics in use. The action taken by Lt Col Mitchell lifted our morale. I flew out from Khormaksor in November 1967 with a sense of shame at the surrender to terrorists. The way Mitchell was treated was a disgrace. I am afraid the British bull dog had become a poodle.
Thanks for watching my video and for sharing your story.
This video brings back memories, I served with 45CDO from May until the withdrawal, straight from training, green under the gills, served with some great guys, many no doubt have passed away now, as I'm 74.
Thank you for watching
I knew an ex 45 commando Jimmie Quinne, told me many storys of aden he was hard as a hammer
Thanks for this Chris. My father served in Aden with the royal engineers, I think it was in 63/64, and I grew up with stories of the places you mentioned
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
Absolutely love your videos and your enthusiasm!!
Thank you so much!!
I lived here as a six year old between 1964 and 66. Great for a young boy we had an escort to school, watched the RAF bomb the local mountains from the playground, armed troops on every corner and bullets going past your windows most nights. This was Northern Ireland on steriods!
Thanks for sharing your experiences as a young boy
Sry to say but in Aden they knew who the enemy was.....In N.I. it was a whole different story, nasty in every aspect and should have been identified as a war as this is what it was.
My dad was in the Argyles, Mitch was a great leader, and the Argyles, a great regiment
Thanks for sharing
At one point Aden would have been a major asset as a port on the trade route. Not so much now
Interesting how History could have turned out
Superb work Sir .... Another example of politicians not being held accountable
You are absolutely right. The problem is that the top brass (generals) are cowards who, instead of defending their men, go along with the politicians to preserve their posts and privileges.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
politicians whould sell there own mother down the river for a backhander
The end of Empire was usually very messy and unpleasant. However, it was always better that Britain left its former colonial possessions than try to cling on.
I was there at Khormaksar when "Mad Mitch" took Crater back, arriving June 21, 1967 and leaving sometime in September 1967. Served with 1 Squadron RAF Regiment. I was not sorry to leave the place commonly known as the rectum of the world and apparently still remains so.
Well thanks for reminding me of my childhood. I was a school kid in Aden from 1966 to 1967, only a year but remember the armoured school bus with Northumberland Fusiliers guarding us. I remember the gunshots in the night. I was 9 when I was evacuated with all the other families. I went on to join the RAF and served for 28 years.
My father (RASC) stayed on till near the end.
A very forgotten chapter in British history.
Thank you for sharing
When Mitch went into Crater up on the surrounding hills there was an entire Commando Brigade: 40, 42 & 45 CDO Royal Marines. If an Arab so much as looked "wrongly" as Mitch & his men, they would have been blasted! The Marines used their 120mm Recoilless Rifles simply to deal with a lone rifleman. My source was one of my Instructors who served in 45 CDO.
Mitch was far from brilliant. He actually disobeyed written Orders held in his hands telling not to go into Crater. His response was to tell the Gov't., "We left 15 mins ago."
In response to gunmen popping popping out of the narrow alleyways to take pot shots at Army vehicles, he had them bricked up several feet high. No more pot shots. Result, they lobbed hand grenades over & now troops couldn't respond.
The SAS guys & others were in Crater posing as Arabs & they were bumping off the 'bad guys'. Defence Sec. Healey doesn't come out of this with any glory. He allowed 6 SAS blokes to be chopped up & have their heads used as footballs & stuck on spikes, 'up country'. no response.
Not so long ago in Lebanon. 4 Russians were kidnapped by some Muslim lot. One was killed. The Russians did their Intelligence work & sussed out things. Their Premier, (not Putin), gave Orders. They lifted a high up member of the Organization responsible. Probably tortured him for information, then decapitated him & stuck his genitals in his mouth. Or, cut off his genitals, stick them in his mouth & then chopped his head off! They delivered the package to either his wife/sister/sister-in-law.
In 15 minutes the 3 remaining Russians were free & unharmed.
We in the West are viewed as a 'soft Touch'. As Mao said, "The West is a Paper Tiger".
Thanks for sharing this additional information
For those interested in further information about Lt Col Colin Mitchell and the Aden conflict his book 'Having Been a Soldier' makes a good read.
Yes, it is a good read. I used it as one of my sources for this video.
My Grandfather was based there as an RAF flight sergeant and took his family in the early 1960s. My grandmother, mother, uncle and aunt lived there for 3 years. They went out on a troopship and flew back on a propeller airliner. They had a holiday in Mombasa from Aden. Virtually unheard of early 1960s UK. Mum's impressions of Aden, however, were not great!
Thanks for sharing your family story
Your mention of Mombasa brought back to memory of a guy (name withheld) who I served with at R.A.F. Digby in the early 60's. He did a one year tour on Ghan. He went to Mombasa for a holiday. approximately 6 weeks after his return to Ghan, a dose of the Clap broke out on his privates. When reporting to the sick bay, the M.O. wouldn't believe his story, i.e. the delayed period before his 'break out', and more or less accussed him of puff activity amonst the male only population on the island.
Ultimatley , his condition was cured.
ps He was Irish!
Fully enjoy yr channel.
Its like a whos who of campaigns of my old regiment.
1st Bn The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
The legend Col Mitchell made a visit/tour of the battalion at Redford Barracks,Edinburgh in the early 80s and is still held in the very highest regards by all ranks of the regiment .
Ne Obliviscaris
Sans Peur
Thank you for covering the Aden Emergency, the tales from the Colonial wars and the end of the British Empire don't get enough recognition.
Any chance of you doing a video about the British in Oman,and the attack on Mirbat?
Mirbat is a popular request so it is now on my list.
Corporal Lallalaba VC, and the 25 pounder.
As a pre teen I followed this conflict on the News Mitches heroic acts were the stuff of movies .
.At 15 and 6 months I reported to the Guards depot Pirbright I was never to match mad Mitch as a hero but he was my compass .
Thank you for sharing Colin Mitchell’s impact on your own career.
Spent his retirement on kintyre amongst Argylls
We were very fond of him
15.6 months, were you a Boy Entrant then?
My Dad was one of 30 Black Watch that served in Crater with the Argyles in 67. That was a very diplomatic description of events. He used to tell stories about it. They aren't for polite conversation round the dinner table.
I try to be polite!
I'm sure they were not, but never-the-less the truth, they only talk with those who served and in limited capacity. God Bless them all....our Heros.
I would not admit my father was in the black watch they were dreadful.
Thank you for this. My father served there in the Royal Anglians. Oddly enough, he seemed to have enjoyed his time there. When I was in the Royal Marines during the early 80s, my sergeant and a couple of the other, older, NCOs told me a few stories about their time over there. I never really understood the circumstances behind it all until now so, job well done.
My dad was there late 50's and he enjoyed it (apart from the flies).
We stopped fighting the Soldier's war in WWII, and since then, it's been all about bureaucrats and money-making military machine. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc etc etc. War is hell but if you want to win, you have to Smash the opposition, talk really does nothing unless you have them on the ropes or kneeling. Which is in my eyes a disservice to the men and women who ask to fight.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this subject.
That was another interesting part of British military history. Thank you for educating me on the history of the British empire and the hardships the military faced as the British empire was being dismantled.
Thanks for watching
I remember a very good friend of mine was station in Aden during this time he told me how quickly you sobered up when a bomb went off nearby, I note towards the end that awful MP tam dyall poked his nose in a failed officer, The man just didnt understand !
Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your experience.
My dad was an RAF Argosy pilot based at Aden along with a 4 year old me, my mother and baby sister. There is an Argosy in the background of the shot of General Tower at 14:50 - could be my old dad at the controls - you never know. We lived in a block of flats near Tarshyne beach and one of our neighbors in the flat below was killed when an RPG was fired into his flat. Our much loved amah (nanny) Hadil, a local Yemeni woman, was shot up with a submachine gun for "collaborating" with the British, though fortunately lived. We were all evacuated back to the UK during the emergency - I remember the evacuation at night during which we came under fire - a stray round clipped the edge of my shoe. Hadil (means "cooing of pigeons") came too as she had no family or tribe to protect her and became our live-in adopted auntie/granny (nobody including her knew how old she was). She couldn't read and never really learned English, so my sister and I grew up bilingual in English and Yemeni Arabic so we would read for her and translate anything complex that needed to be discussed between my parents and Hadil. She was a huge character and was greatly feared by the local shop keepers in the UK as she insisted on haggling over everything and would yell at them in Arabic and broken English until they gave up and gave her a better price on a tin of beans or whatever, just to get her out of the shop.
Russian troops would have exacted a heavy price for such wanton murder !
Thank you for your detailed comment
She certainly sounds like a character and looked after you all very well.
I was serving at RAF Khormaksar when we pulled out, glad to get out of the Godforsaken place.
My dad thought it was a dump when he served there
I did two tours in Aden, the first in 1965 in the Radfan and the second up until the handover in 1967. I was A Rock Ape with 2 sqd RAF Regiment Para and was there when Mad Mitch marched into the crater. However it should also be said that the Argyles were not completely alone, there were snipers and support back up from other units including mine. We too have brothers in The Silent Valley Cemetery. Per Ardua. 3:51
You are correct
My grandad was there then too , Bert Tickner SGT RAF Regiment .
My bro was there with The Cameronians Scottish Rifles I believe 1966...had photos of him and his buddies up in the mountains (Radfan) on lookout for long periods as well as their quarters which were in tents. They were very young soldiers but did what they had to. Talked about how the children had to be escorted to/from school and the ladies being escorted by bus to the shops for groceries. They also had to go into the desert as the insurgents were known to poison the wells. Lots of conflict and danger and that was before Mad Mitch. Lots of soldiers lost their lives there.
The Scots have always been fighters and the backbone of the British Army and long may it continue, just saying. 😎 🇬🇧
Poor recruitment in Scotland. Since the 90s probably. Half tbe Scottish division are Fijian. I personally don't think it's politics but type who used to join would have had 2 or 3 run ins with the law. Used to be able to join army for a petty punishment. Then they stopped anyone joining with convictions such as ABH. Is stupid
No problem with that 😀
My Form Teacher in High School, in New Zealand, in 1964, was a Scotsman and veteran of Aden. I recall him telling me a colourful story of how while on vehicle patrol in Aden he was shot in the leg. He said a wog jumped out of the shadows and emptied his Stengun at the Landover. A round went through the door and hit him on the buckle on his sock [can't recall what he actually called it now, but he was in kilt at the time]. He said that the buckle took the remaining energy of the bullet and left him with a fairly minor superficial wound. He said that the "Boys" in the Landrover had opened up on the Arab and dropped him in the street, where he went over to see the man who tried to kill him. He said he was amazed at the smell of roast pork. [From the bullet wounds in the Arab]. My teacher was Jimmy Horne and he had been a Corporal in Aden. I remained friends with him until his death - great guy, great teacher, RIP.
What’s a ‘wog’??
@@raycorrigan3297Western Oriental Gentelman.
@@bobroberts6155 Japanese?
@raycorrigan3297, That would be an Eastern Oriental Gentleman. Facial features and general stature are different. Wogs are more "European" in looks. However, it is a euphonium for a derogatory term. [Euphemism - no, that's not a brass musical instrument].
@@raycorrigan3297 A Jundy or Nignog, not PC EH ?
Time proves that it was incorrect to give up the colonies, even India and it's partitioned thirds should have been kept. Now there is a active war on all Anglo-Saxon's and our history. Most of the former colonies are failed governments, and the residents were far better of under Crown Rule.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Even if it was politically acceptable at home for us to try to hold a quarter of the world under British rule, in the age of internet and mobile phones it would be absolutely impossible however much blood and treasure we expended. In the time of the Industrial Revolution we had the manpower, a fleet, the communications and the weaponry, and half the people we ruled were still living in conditions that hadn't improved since the Dark Ages and lacked the means or the will to resist. Look at the twentieth century: the US for all its firepower was thrashed in Vietnam like the French before them, the Russians were chased out of Afghanistan and the UK and the US couldn't do any better in recent times. What I will concede is that at the end of the Pax Britannica we thought we had taught the world the virtues of democracy and the rule of law. We were wrong, because with the exception of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, pretty much every part of our erstwhile Empire has reverted to tribalism, civil war and corruption. Is that because all these people are inherently inferior, did we just not make the most of our chances to improve their lot, or is our system of government just unsuitable for peoples with different cultures which have endured for millennia? We only have to look at Boris Johnson and Liz Truss to see that our own political system is pretty fragile too, so who are we to preach?
The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland are doing rather well. India is only one place behind the UK in terms of GDP and is well poised to overtake it - I doubt that would have happened if the UK had somehow managed to retain India. The UK needs to get its own house in order first instead of sulking about its neighbours and others
Aden was only British because of India. It was a treaty cessation by the East India Company for coaling and a naval base I think. Without India, the only reasons for Aden were Singapore and Hong Kong.
Now there WAS a reason to keep or support some of the settler colonies in Africa, which was supporting British expats and settlers. However, both the USA, USSR, and the British elite do not like ethnic nationalism, and so, the empire died. So Britain didn’t have much of a choice anyway. Speaking as a non British man.
Nah colonialism just can't be justified in this day and age, even if the people you hand the country back to are nutters who turn the country into a basket case. At least it's their basket case.
I was in Aden - RAF Khormaksar - and didn't leave for RAF Sharjah until just weeks before we finally left. Mad Mitch was a hero to us too. (The RAF invariably gets forgotten in all this.) It's interesting (at least to me!) that if anyone these days ever asks to see my medal (my GSM - "For Campaign Service") they always ask why the clasp reads "South Arabia" rather then "Aden." In future I'll point them to this video! It really is one of the forgotten campaigns.
Thanks for watching.
@ aw6936 same as myself, but with Royal Signals 222 squadron K troop, then posted to Sharjah, nothing but a sandpit😃 take care👍
We could do with someone like Mad Mitch running 'anti-Illegal' patrols in the Channel.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts
My RAF family lived in Aden during the early part of the conflict. As a youngster, I loved the sight of Shackletons and Hawker Hunters constantly taking off and landing. My mother worked for the Yemeni sheik. Life was pretty easy - we could afford a servant! But the writing was on the wall and we were sent back to England. Aden became a backwater, losing the tourist trade and allowing the Russians to fill the gap.
Thank you for sharing your experiences
hmm. A real good documentary well done, however a small detail. The Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders were slated for disbandment and maybe the actions of Mad Mitch had to be viewed through this lense. As I read it a long time ago, this action brought the public on the side of the Regiment and prevented disbandment. Otherwise a damn good doc, well done.
I see that most of the Scottish Regiments have been amalgamated in with the former Black Watch but are allowed to be identified e.g. 1Scots, 2cots etc. Their Pipe Bands if they had one are still in their Regimental tartan but the Military bands in with the Black watch....I believe the soldier are now dressed as Black Watch (Now The Royal Artillery of Scotland). Again, political cutbacks by parliament who know nothing and Scotland is fair game to them.
My Dad served in Aden ( as well as Malaya and Cyprus) with the RAF in the late 60s. He was an armourer and Bomb Disopsal but he also had some sort of role in a NAFFI type club. His stories about Four Five Commandos antics- something about being the most brutal people he had to deal with and a story about 'rolling people (other bootnecks) about in barbed wire ' - amongst other things (Falklands news) led to me joining to corps in the late 90s. (And 45 CDO a few years later). Also have had some good friends who served in the Argylls (although not in aden)
Thanks for sharing that story about your dad.
South Arabia is now a poverty stricken place...but probably with enormous amounts of oil under it-look for a Chinese drilling concession soon.
Argyle and Southerland Highlanders ..many serving soldiers who faught in this forgotten conflict still suffering from PTSD😢
Unfortunately, that seems to always be the case, not least amongst Korean War veterans
I ws at Khormaksar when we left Aden. It was a classic organised withdrawal and NOTHING like the debacle at Kabul. 45 Commando formed the rear guard as an impeccable fighting command and ensured the last helicopter evacuations. I had previously been part of MEC Command at Steamer Point.
Barry Fryer (now 80)
Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspective
I heard that 45 Commando booby trapped the vehicles left at the airport, being the last ones out?
The last RAF aircraft that was based at Khormaksar, Dakota KN452 flew out a few days before the Royal Marines left. Flying via Jeddah, Cairo, ElAdam, Frejus and into Kemble. Long flight and we only just made it because of icing over France - no deicing on the Aden Dakota! Making history, very exciting Mike Isherwood-Bennett, Jerry Schellong and me. RIP Mike and Jerry.
Read the book, age of emergency living with violence at the end of the British Empire by Erik Linstrum. British heads held high, you must be joking. What the hell were British troops doing in all these country’s anyway who invited you in.
Excellent doc and coverage…It had to be done….and done well…which I believe you have done…duty fulfilled and thanks a million.
Only hope that the people of Britain will take an interest that this part of our history deserves. All those men were heroic and all their opponents mere murderers. God bless our People, and our men that went through those undeserved horrors. R.I.P.
Fifties' Sixties and Seventies Britain was a great time to be a kid, teenager and young man,veterans were all around,not just from The Second World War,but the umpteen conflicts after. In fact 1968 was the only year after the war The British Army was not deployed in action then, as far as I know. I year later they were in N I, then there is Oman,which no one was supposed to know about.
Nothing bothered the old vets,they had seen it all,so had some of the civvies,no one messed with the cops either.
Most of them were ex service.
@@philiprufus4427 I attended a lecture in 2008 given by General Mike Jackson and he made the same point about 1968.
Really? I have to question one or two of your assertions :- Those 'murderers', some of which, no doubt were murderers, were effectively seeking to Free Their Country of Foreign Occupants. ' Undeserved horrors', surely they were a part and parcel of the mind set whilst dealing with the foreigners.
Our forefathers did little to oppose the 1066 invaders, and their subsequent occupation, so perhaps they were less, as your say, heroic.
Thank you for watching
The only comment I can make is that most of the time the soldiers knew who the enemy was with the exception of N.I. Those of I descent would suffer the most because of their heritage. Has not changed much , still an accident waiting to happen.
@@philiprufus4427
I was there at that time, I have to say the morale of all us service people soared after his taking of Crater, never mind the politicians.
Thanks for watching my video and your comments.
My father served in Aden in the early 60s with 1st Battalion KOSB and I first went to school while we were stationed there. Your video brought back many memories of that time. Thank you.
Glad it brought back some memories
I was told by a armourer vet of the time that the UK sold off all its HE 2inch mortar rounds to Australia, when the Aden crisis came about the government had to buy them back. It seems nothing changes.
Hadn’t heard that one.
As a former soldier of 20 years, I look now at an awful lot of the conflicts since the end of WW2 and ask myself: "Why?" But then I remind myself, that the soldiers involved (after 1963 at least) were all Regular Army, professionals who took pride in their trade. Theirs not to reason why, etc., etc. I personally only ever considered the 'job' and my mates and subordinates - not the great political strategies which are fleeting compared to the comradeship of the troops. Great video (as are they all), many thanks.
Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts.
Your job was to be a coloniser for British businesses to get rich off oil. I wish you would continue to ask why rather than resign to being a sheep.
Interesting, the British withdrawal east of suez might make an interesting topic,it certainly had implications for Australia's defence,drawing us closer to the US,which was close anyway with our involvement in the vietnam war
That’s a really interesting perspective. As indeed was the UK joining the EEC.
My younger brother was out there with the Queens Own Hussars. He passed on five years ago.
Thanks for sharing
Lt Col Michell- what a courageous leader, in the late 19th century, he would have been lauded as a hero, but in the post WW2 world, he was a round peg in a square hole. His treatment post Aden was no doubt calculated to make an example of him, thereby influencing other army officers to toe the party line in future. Mitch and the A&SH- men of steel, did a superb job in Crater and restored British prestige. The public loved Mitch, but the politicians certainly didn't.
I think you’re right, he would’ve fitted better in the Victorian age
Yes! Another excellent lecture Chris, let's learn some more of what we know less about. As far as I remember, a film - TV series was made about the Aden conflict, or is it somewhere else, or is it i whom do not remember correctly? I hope you will do something about the New Zealand wars? Well done.👍
There was a British tv series, The Last Post. ..but in true (recent) British style,it was Woke & Liberal, and seemed more interested in pushing the values taught at today's universities than covering actual events.
Haven’t done New Zealand wars but will get to them. Watch this space!
@@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd 'End of Empire, is good ! Made before woke c - - -.
It used to be on youtube,but a lot of stuff has been taken down. EoE covered everything from Palestine to Aden,including Malaya Suez Kenya,Cyprus etc. Great stuff, enjoy your vids,been reading and watching British Military History since I learned to read,(70 now). Quite a few of the family served going back to The Boer War.
To be expected. The counties in England are Devon(Devonport)Cornwall and Yorkshire.
Add Scotland to that lot and you are bound to find a Matelot or Pongo somewhere along the line.
@philiprufus4427 thanks for the suggestion, I do believe that it is still available on dvd....I'll go and purchase one right now.
@philiprufus4427 are you referring to the 1985 series? Sadly no DVD for that, but I've found a few episodes on UA-cam (as you recommended)
I worked in Aden for a short while around the turn of the century. I found the local people friendly enough, but their attitude to work was sadly lacking. They used to do crazy things which would never be acceptable in UK industry.
The country was also extremely corrupt and the streets were full of beggars. I visited Crater a few times. It was a place where you could exchange your money, but it was well downtrodden.
The Western companies were there at the time trying to get a foothold in a developing country. But I think civil war has finished that altogether. I didn't work there long, and I believe that all the Western style Hotels in Aden are now deserted and probably blown up!
Pity for the ordinary people of a country again. You find this world wide in my experience.
Thank you for sharing your modern day experiences of Aden
3:39 The littlest Soldier. I believe we've found him. This was an outstanding history lesson, and the picture of the little fellow standing at full attention with the full-sized fellows makes one wonder where he came from and how he fared.
Thanks for watching
Mitch was a bloody good officer treated abominably by the establishment, he showed them how it should be done not pussy footing as the government of the day we’re prone to do!
There was one British casualty during the reoccupation of Crater. A SAS soldier dressed as an arab and working undercover in Crater was shot in the backside by the Argylls. It is covered in the Aden episode of Empire Warriors by the BBC, which is available on UA-cam.
If dressesd as an Arab, how could they know? Maybe he should have worn an armband with "SAS"...?
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share this additional information
@@Lassisvulgarisor maybe a big flag saying 'Shoot me'......Behave.
Looking at what's happening in Africa and despite the current agenda you cant help thinking colonialism was better for everyone.
Not sure for everyone but certainly had more positives than its detractors give it.
Ah memories. Two weeks in Aden in 1963 (between ships) that were dominated by flies. Then as now the Arabs revel in arguing whether about religion, tribal obligations or who are more attractive - women or small boys.
Thanks for sharing your memories.
I remember reading about FLOSY and the Radfan, particularly about the SAS' operations there. And, yeah, Aden sounds like a blueprint for the cut-and-run Democrats all too eager to hand some place over to the Commies or the crazies.
And I also believe colonialism helped make the world safer by keeping the crazies and wannabe Commies in their box. As the song says, those were the days, my friend.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Aden and empires.
Two points:
1. As early as 1958-60 when I was there with my father who served in RAF, we were subject to violent stikes in Aden and armed conflict with groups based in Yemen in the Radfan area.
2. Radio Nassar was already boardcasting in both Arabic and English into the colony.
Thanks for sharing
My cousin was there in the REME, only remembered him commenting on the heat.
It may not have been ours but what a disaster it's been with us forced out, much the same for most of the other commonwealth countries!
Thanks for sharing
My Father was there in the RAF Police during that debacle and knew Mitchell, he respected his professionalism, his critics were the usual sleezeball Politicians and incompetent Career Senior Ruperts.
Thanks for sharing.
I know the UK is a bit more frugal on medals for bravery than the US, but I'm supprised Mad Mitch didn't get some extra letters after his name after all this.
I think his actions weren’t proved by military high command or the government
My father was in Aden I havea great picture of myself getting off the white school guarded by a Northumberland fussilier 20 years later in a small town my father stopped dead in his tracks Coming towards us was one of the fussiliers he had served with in Aden It truly is a small world
Thanks for taking the time to comment
Let yemen get on with it now
Thanks for offering that thought.
I was an army brat in Aden. We lived there for seven years and left in 1965. I have fond memories of Aden and despair of the turmoil that has prevailed. Aden was a prosperous place in the sixties. Aden could have been the Dubai of today.
Could have been a much happier place than it is today