Preface

     The United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) established in 1956 at the instigation of Lester  B Pearson and receiving its major logistical support from the Canadian military, was the first (and most successful) military enforcement of Peacekeeping that was ever attempted by the United Nations. Indeed it served as the template for future UN Peacekeeping missions in the Congo, Middle East, the Balkans and even Afghanistan. For over 10 years UNEF kept the Peace in the Middle East and through the retrospectroscope probably could have extended this peaceful time frame and avoided or minimized the Six Day War had the UN senior administration in New York been in the hands of a Dag Hammarskjöld. The Canadian role, not only in the formation of UNEF but also in both the front line operations and major supportive roles was massive. What has been often overlooked in analysts reviews of the historical effectiveness of the UNEF, is the pivotal contribution of the then Royal Canadian Air Force, who provided the day-to-day air support with the seconded 115 Air Transport Unit consisting of three Caribou and two Otter aircraft, regular Hercules supply flights and two massive airlifts – one to establish the operation in 1956 and one to evacuate the Canadian contingent in May 1967.

    The effectiveness of the aircraft in keeping UNEF interconnected with its far flung bases, from Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea at the tip of the Sinai, to the essential contact  with Beirut, Cairo and Cypress enabling rapid medical, technical and personnel transport, were critical to the successful operation of the Force. The 115 Air Transport Unit, its pilots, aeromechanics, and support staff was the glue that cemented the disparate units of UNEF together. The operation of the air component of UNEF was so seamless, functional and efficient that it was taken for granted and its true worth seldom recognized by the UN hierarchy. It is one of the aims of this book to pay tribute to the immense contributions of the hundreds of Canadian airmen who donated a year of their lives to the success of the UN air operation in a remote and harsh environment.  As a medical doctor and Orthopaedic Surgeon the importance of the prevention of disease, the rapid treatment of injuries and the elimination of disease in troops deployed in a difficult foreign environment was of primary concern, to enhance both the morale and function of the flying station. Fighting fitness demands good health and health is another component that is so often  taken for granted until such times as it becomes poor health. Another aim of this book has been to acquaint the reader with the health needs of an army deployed in a desert environment and how such health can be maintained and ensured. The health of “local” employees as well as the Northern Desert Bedouin was also a personal priority which allowed an intimate insight into the culture and health needs of an ancient people which many readers will find fascinating. The fact that my experience was essentially the last year in the life of UNEF, it allowed an “on the ground” analysis to be made of the events in the run-up to the Six Day War. The precipitous evacuation of the Canadian Forces on the orders of President Nasser was unexpected and without precedent. The response of the Canadian Forces in UNEF and the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada was nothing short of miraculous. The removal of some two thousand troops within 24 hours with no casualties was a remarkable demonstration of military efficiency that has never been adequately recognized.

     Although it had always been my intention to share my experiences with UNEF in the Sinai, it is only in semiretirement that I have finally managed to accomplish this objective.  This was facilitated by the preservation of many letters written to my wife Marilyn, a profuse library of slides I took during my posting and managed to preserve intact with minimal deterioration and the retention of an excellent documentary historical archive of UNEF at both the Military Archives in Ottawa and the National Archives of Canada together with Daily Routine Orders salvaged by my good friend and fellow comrade- in- arms F/L Michael Belcher.

     An added area of interest that is prevalent throughout the book is the impact of Middle Eastern culture and customs that varies from the Arabic cuisine to the revered camel to the Islamic faith. Those with a penchant for exotic travel and geography will enjoy descriptions of diving in the Red Sea, climbing up to St Catherine’s Monastery and exploring the ancient cities of Petra and Baalbek.

     Since poliomyelitis was one of the childhood illnesses that was prevalent in the Sinai and areas of the Middle East such as Yemen, it is my intention to donate the royalties from the sale of this book to the Ottawa West Rotary Club and Rotary International who are embarked on a campaign to eliminate polio around the world through their vaccine program. It is interesting to note that the Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and Rotarians would be honoured to know that it was practised daily by every member of the United Nations Emergency Force.