ABSTRACT
In early August 1956, shortly after Nasser had nationalised the Suez Canal, Thomson sent a Private and Confidential Letter to editors at MoD’s request, covering early preparations for the Suez campaign. This asked that non-routine movements of units, equipment and stores to and within the Mediterranean should not be reported, nor strengths, destinations of men and materiel, and details of equipment; nor should Britain’s ‘Mediterranean strategy’ be discussed. The direct cause was a Times article of 3 August, which appeared to be a major leak of plans for Operation MUSKETEER (codeword for re-occupation of the Canal Zone).
