The Sinai War took place between Israel, the United Kingdom, and France on one side, and Egypt on the other, from 29 October to 5 November, 1956. During the war, the IDF occupied and captured half of the Sinai Peninsula, except for a narrow strip along the Suez Canal, destroyed numerous military infrastructures and inflicted damage on the Egyptian army. According to documents sourced from the archives of the French and British governments, the United Kingdom and France encouraged Israel to initiate the conflict in order to provide a pretext for British and French forces to occupy the surrounding areas of the Canal. Thus, France and the United Kingdom attempted to compel Egypt to uphold the international status of the Canal. In practice, when the operation began, British and French troops were deployed to the region. At that time, the British issued the “Security Document” before us for their soldiers.
In some cases, it was attached to their passports, and in other cases, it was given to soldiers as a separate “Security Document” to assist the British soldier with useful phrases for navigating the area or if captured as a prisoner by the Egyptian army in a dangerous area. At the top of the document, there is the flag of Britain and the emblem of the United Kingdom, and on both sides, there are sentences and useful words in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, English-Hebrew, Arabic, and Yiddish-Hebrew. Examples include: “I belong to the British army please help me get back to my friends, the British government will pay you” or “Place to hide”, “Help” and so on.
[1] leaf, printed on both sides. 41×33 cm. Fold marks. Good Condition.
