Battle of Crater (Aden) facts for kids

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 Aden, Aden Protectorate Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	NLF FLOSY
Commanders and leaders
Lt. Col. Colin Mitchell Maj. Ian Mackay Maj. Tony Shewan	Unknown
Units involved
45 Commando Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Queen's Dragoon Guards Royal Northumberland Fusiliers 60th Squadron, Royal Engineers 47th Light Artillery Regiment 15th Signal Regiment 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.