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Battle of Crater (Aden) facts for kids

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The Battle of Crater or Operation Stirling Castle was an important event during the Aden Emergency. This was a time when British troops were in Aden, a city in what is now Yemen.

Before this battle, local police had attacked British troops. Because of this, the British troops left the Crater district in Aden. But they soon decided to go back into Crater to bring back their fallen soldiers.

Quick facts for kids
Battle of the Crater
Part of Aden Emergency
Date July 1967
Location
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom NLF
FLOSY
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg Lt. Col. Colin Mitchell
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg Maj. Ian Mackay
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg Maj. Tony Shewan
Unknown
Units involved
Flag of the Royal Marines.svg 45 Commando
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg Queen's Dragoon Guards
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
60th Squadron, Royal Engineers
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg 47th Light Artillery Regiment
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg 15th Signal Regiment
Flag of the British Army (1938-present).svg 60th Transport Squadron
unknown
Strength
unknown
1 helicopter
400
Casualties and losses
none 11 killed


The Battle of Crater

The plan to take back Crater began on July 3, 1967. A group of soldiers called the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders led the way. Their leader was Lieutenant Colonel Colin Mitchell, who was also known as "Mad Mitch."

Operation Stirling Castle

Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell named this mission Operation Stirling Castle. This name came from the headquarters of the Argylls’ regiment. The soldiers entered Crater quietly at night. The enemy was completely surprised by their arrival. Because of this, the fighting stopped very quickly.

To show how confident he was, Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell did something unusual. He ordered the regimental pipe band to march down the main street of Crater. They played their traditional tunes loudly. The leader of the band, the Pipe major, was later praised for his bravery. British troops stayed in Crater until the end of the Aden Emergency.

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