(My first draft was lost- so this is the best I can do. It's quite TLDR in places.) [A Brief Introduction](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/1956-11-01_War_in_Egypt.ogv) In 1956, the beginnings of a very Colonial crisis began, bringing the world's attention to the Middle East. This was following Egyptian nationalization of the Suez waterway earlier in the year, a retaliation for the withdrawal of Western funds for the Aswan Dam Project, and Nasser's increasing Pan-Arabism giving him the opportunity to oust the last of British influence in the Canal. The British and French, builders and majority shareholders in the Suez Canal Company, had no compensation and were effectively stripped of influence in this area, taking the canal into Egyptian hands. This was not cricket, of course. Operation Musketeer was launched in November 1956, spearheaded by the 3 Commando Brigade, The Parachute Regiment, as well as the 3rd Infantry Division, reinforced by French and Israeli forces to the east. The aims? Seize the Suez Canal zone, starting from El Cap Airfield to Port Said and Ismailia. Opposing British forces lies the Egyptian Military, poorly armed, and Militant forces, even more poorly armed. The fight seems simple, but for the men of 3 Commando, it's going to be the toughest Urban Warfare they've faced since the Second World War. The horrors of war never seem to be too far behind either. The operation in it's end, resulted in a crushing British and French Strategic Failure, despite a sound Tactical Victory. The Americans, predominantly President Eisenhower, and the UN called it an "Illegal War" and demanded immediate Anglo-French withdrawal. The Soviets even threatened "action" against British and French interests at the UN, backing Nasser indirectly throughout and following the conflict. In the end, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden was forced to resign, and the Soviets grasped a strong hold over Nasser, with a UN Buffer Force sent in and the British and French walking away with their heads in shame. The Soviets were also to end up using the Crisis as a diversion for activities in Hungary, and suppressing it's revolution. But what if history was different? What if British commanders disregarded any orders from above, and rather, disregarded Eisenhower's and the United Nations' orders to withdraw? What would the Soviet response be? Would it be escalation? ----------------------------------------- This is an RP that places you into the boots of a squad of the Royal Marines from 40 Commando (Helicopter-Borne), 3 Commando Brigade. The aforementioned Royal Marines are a combination of Korean War and Malay Emergency veterans, combined with conscripted National Service (18-19 year olds) soldiers- but are the among the hardest infantrymen on the planet, owing to their Light Infantry status and training being among the most grueling and physically intensive in regular NATO forces. The players start on the deck of the HMS Eagle, a Audacious-Class Aircraft Carrier deployed to the Mediterranean, to board a Westland Whirlwind helicopter for immediate deployment into Port Said- a major town that occupies the northern end of the Canal, and the first flashpoint in the aftermath of the seizure of the El Cap Airfield by The Parachute Regiment. It's an RP that will see you as the superior force in the battle, one that will be distinctly one that is very shady. The mixed abilities of the unit, as well as the atrocities that were committed, such as the indiscriminate shelling and bombing of civilians, as well as the intensity of urban warfare in Port Said may bring about a little more gore and violence than some military RPs may usually bring about. It isn't going to be roses, I'm afraid. This is an RP that will also feature an alternate ending to the real Crisis- with the continuation of British military actions and the full seizure of the Suez Canal leading to an escalation. However, the RP will stay predominantly in canon to the events of the Crisis in this period. ------------------------- The Royal Marines Commando are an elite Light Infantry unit of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces, so their armory is just as one would expect- extremely well-supplied, and often equipped up with a wide variety of British weaponry, some predating the Second World War such as the Lee-Enfield and some being cutting-edge, Cold War standard weaponry, such as the L1A1 SLR and L7A1. Armorers can often make a weapon a Marine's standard- and make it what they need in the heat of battle, aboard the HMS Eagle. Whilst there isn't a lot of room for modifications, a different barrel, stock or even a change up of weaponry for something more comfortable is fairly simple to sort out among British-stocked weapons. [This](http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75259/posts/ooc#post-2323890) is an exceptional post detailing all weapons and kit in period, if you want to imagine what it looks like. Weapons Available: -L1A1 SLR (7.62x51mm NATO) Possible Mods: -"Short" Variant (16 Inch)(Modified Barrel) -Standard Variant (22 Inch) -Marksman Variant (Heavy 22 Inch Barrel, Optic) Rifle Grenades Attachable: -Anti-Tank Rifle Grenade, No. 94 (ENERGA) -22mm STANAG HE Rifle Grenade -- -L2A3 Sterling SMG (Mk4)(9mm PB) -Bren L2 (.303 British) -L7A1 Medium Machine Gun (Prototype/Trial Weapon)(7.62x51mm NATO) -M20A1 "Super Bazooka" Anti-Tank/Anti-Structure Launcher -Lee Enfield IV w/Telescopic Sight- Sniper Rifle -Webley MkVI Revolver -Browning Hi-Power Pistol -Others to be listed shortly. ---------------------- CS: Name: Gender: (Females for Medics and Radiowomen only- this is non-canon, but I'll let the shit fly if need be.) Age: Appearance: Rank: Caps at Staff Sergeant Role: (If not Section Leader/Fireteam Leader, such as Machinegunner, Rifleman, AT etc.) Weapon and Ammunition: i.e L2A2 Sterling| 8x 30 Round 9mm Magazines Brief Background: A paragraph or two will suffice. From a veteran to a fresh face, anything is good. Equipment (Can be fused with Appearance)

This seems quite interesting; so I'll show my interest, and get down to writing a character sheet at some point over the next few days. :)

I'd join, but my ignorance of this part of the Cold War and lack on knowledge on the military in general prevents me from doing so.

GG, good to see your interest. I can help out with information, as it is a niche conflict to some- but some research you might need to do independently.

I'm really interested in a military RP. The only thing I would have problems with are the weapons.

It's tricky to find the weapons lists for this conflict- but basically, the L1A1 SLR is a FN FAL, for all intents and purposes, while the L2A2 is the Sterling SMG- these two being basically the early successors to the Lee-Enfield and Sten weapons respectively. Any concerns that you've got, just google or search up British military equipment, circa 1956.

Alright thanks. I'll definitely take the FN FAL. I'll work on a character sheet in a bit.

OK, here's a quick primer on the weaponry. **L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR)**  This was the standard infantry rifle of the British military from its introduction in 1954, right up until its replacement by the SA80 series of rifles in the late 1980s. The rifle differs from the standard FN FAL in several ways, most notably only being capable of semi-automatic fire (although some bored squaddies found some tricks involving matchsticks or ringpulls from coke cans to get around this, or just used nicked Argentinian FALs during the Falklands War) and having a trigger guard that could be swung out of the way to permit the weapon to be used while wearing heavy gloves. Later production SLRs had [black polymer stocks and handguards](http://www.imfdb.org/images/8/84/L1A1-SLR.jpg), but in the period the RP is set in those don't exist yet, so we're stuck with the walnut for butt-striking people with. **Sterling L2A3 Sub-machine Gun**  ...If you're thinking "that looks familiar", you're probably right. Most people know the Sterling from its use as the basis for the Stormtrooper blasters from the Star Wars trilogy. Officially the issue weapon for medics, signallers, anti-tank launcher gunners and others, most soldiers would take the SLR over it given the choice, owing to its poor range and power. Although its tendency to go off if dropped didn't help. The Sterling survived in service until 1994, being replaced by the L85A1. **Bren Mk2**  At the time this RP is set, we're still in the period before the conversion from the World War 2 vintage .303 Bren gun to the 7.62mm L4. The Bren is the standard light machine gun, although it's hampered somewhat by its thirty-round magazine compared to its belt-fed contemporaries. **L7 General Purpose Machine Gun** OK, the FN MAG wasn't actually in production in 1956, but I guess we can fudge things a bit. A better choice would be the Vickers MMG, which the L7 replaced in 1957. Of course, the Vickers is strictly a fixed position weapon, but then the L7 was meant to replace the Bren too. **M20 Super Bazooka**  ...It's a Bazooka. It's a metal tube that causes big explosions. Not sure what else I need to say. **Lee-Enfield No4 Mk1 (T)**  Fairly bog-standard bolt action sniper rifle. Chambered in .303 like the Bren, but would later be modified to fire 7.62mm as the L42A1. Fitted with a Mk32 4x scope. **Webley MKIV .38**  .38S&W revolver (Not to be confused with the .455 Webley Mk IV from World War 1) that was a standard issue sidearm (alongside the similar Enfield No2 revolver) right through until 1963. Generally, only issued to officers, pilots and Military Police. **Browning Hi-Power**  Officially, the Browning didn't enter service with the regular military until 1963, although it's possible that the SAS had them for longer than that. However, at the same time a large number had been purchased during the Second World War, mostly Canadian-made "Inglis" Hi-Powers, so it's possible there are some knocking around in stores. As with the Webley, sidearms were generally only issued to officers, pilots and MPs. --- Well, that was an essay and a half. I'll get back to you when I have a character together.

Wow. That is called dedication. I was going to do something more in depth..but nice. I love this- it is excellent knowledge, and deserves to be added to the OOC I feel. The Sterling was a pretty loved weapon in British service even in this period- while shitty, it was excellent at CQB, and was basically an uprated Sten- and in Port Said, the Royal Marines will use them pretty intensively alongside the SLRs. The L7A1 was in trial testing in 1957, but I feel that because the Vickers MMG is effectively a Somme-era weapon (by 1956, it'd be out of most regular service), and not man portable by a Royal Marines helicopter bourne unit, saying that this unit would have the FN MAG would be something I could stretch to. Effectively, since this is late 56, I'll assume any users of this GPMG would be pretty well...effective. Same with the FN High Power- it's a lingering WW2 stock in the Royal Marines arsenal.

Name: Marcus Telford Gender: Male Age: 24 Appearance: He has short, spiky brown hair and blue eyes. Always seen wearing a smile. He wears his SLR slung over his shoulder, his pistol and combat knife both hang from his hip. Rank: Lance Corporal Role: Rifleman Weapon and Ammunition: L1A1 SLR (8x20-round mags), Browning Hi-Power (4x9-round mags), Combat Knife Brief Background: Marcus joined the military at age 20 in hopes of earning an honest living for his new family. He had been quick to marry his high school sweetheart, Trinity Ashby. Perhaps too quick, his brother would say. Not being able to attend college and having no real skills that could benefit him in a workplace he turned to the only option left. With a child on the way he needed to be able to support them and the military offered that. So he finished his training and became a Private. Not seeing any action and having no opportunity for promotion, he sat as a private for about 2 years. That was until the Cyprus Emergency, in which case he showed his ability to lead men against combatants as well as protect civilians. His CO saw promise in the kid and promoted him to Lance Corporal. He stayed in Cyprus and assisted in many operations. That is, until he was relocated to a Carrier just off the coast of Egypt. Now he waits with his brothers to hear his assignment. The only thing that calms his nerves is looking at the picture of his beautiful Irish wife and newborn baby girl. Equipment: He keeps a canteen on him as well as a compass. The only personal effect he keeps is a picture of his wife and daughter, a rubber band keeping it pinned to his canteen.

Nice CS, I like that a lot actually. Accepted. I should mention, that in this period of time, there is such a thing called National Service. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Service_Act_1948 Effectively, a conscription for any men between 17-21, for two years. This is something I should have elaborated on- but basically, could allow for very young characters to join up into the Royal Marines, being relatively fresh blood- while other Marines may be far more experienced in things such as the Cyprus Emergency, Korean War, or the Malay Emergency.

Something odd that my research has turned up is that for some reason 40Cdo got made to leave their SLRs in Cyprus and take No4s to the canal. Source: [RMMGS 51:Suez 1956 (Royal Marines Museum)](http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/item/researching-family-and-royal-marine-history/rmmgs-51suez-1956)

Hmm. That is odd. Well, this is alt-universe so I think the British should rethink that illogical strategy. Haha

Again, another feature I'll probably avoid for logistic's sake- like the L7 in a way, assuming our squad was lucky enough to grab SLRs. It's a contradiction, and while I usually would stick to the real lore, for convenience's sake I'll let it fly with SLRs and No.4s. It isnt' alt-universe, it's just that I think it would work out better in the end to give a better feel.

I think it probably was a logistics thing, since I think everyone was wading in with Lee-Enfields. It takes time to roll weapons out to every unit after all. Hell, [the Paras were going in with Stens](http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212452) rather than Sterlings.

True, the Paras in themselves are a whole other story in this setting... There's a story about a British Paratrooper who following his drop into El Cap Airfield, took a shot in the left eye, and his first thought, allegedly was "Oh, Damn." The guy got SHOT IN THE FUCKING EYE, mind, and was somehow able to live to tell the tale.

I'm torn between making a younger character who was conscripted through the National Service Act, but at the same time I also want to make a hardass veteran officer from Northern Ireland (where they never brought in conscription for obvious reasons). Which would you guys prefer?

> I'm torn between making a younger character who was conscripted through the National Service Act, but at the same time I also want to make a hardass veteran officer from Northern Ireland (where they never brought in conscription for obvious reasons). > > Which would you guys prefer? I think the fact we're capping rank at Sergeant kind of makes the choice for you.

Hey! My character is from Northern Ireland too! I was gonna show that through character dialogue.

Not really. I'm planning my usual two-character setup, and your CO (one of my chars) will be a WW2 veteran, fighting from Gold Beach in 47 Commando to the Malay Crisis in the Far East, to the Cyprus Emergency far more recently, transferring to 40 Commando instead. He's made office over that time, and is going to be one of the most hard-as-nails characters I've made. This is someone almost remorseless- beard and all, and will be generally quite an intimidating bloke, even for a Royal Marine. A real Psychopath, if you will, when he yells at people you don't exactly ignore him. The other will be the fresh-faced opposite, a Middle-Class boy basically, at 17. Brought in by National Service and he thought going into the Royal Marines like his dad did will do him proud. Some training later, and well...he isn't anywhere like the above, but perhaps looks to kinda get through the ordeal. I guess having a mixed bag of characters would be nice. I would want one or two lifers, people who have already fought in one conflict- then we can get more National Service people in, and see how that goes. Ranking wise, they could always be Corporals, or Privates, even if they fought in the 'War.