1956 Press Photo Egyptian military policemen guard entrance to the Suez Canal

Egyptian military policemen guard entrance to the Suez Canal area here in February, 1955 shortly after their country took over control of the vital waterway from Britain. The Britisj Army quit Egypt 6/13 as the last garrison of 91 men left the Suez Canal Zone. Two minutes after the last of the 91 shook the sands of Egypt from his boots, a platoon of Egyptian sailors marched in to take their place on the grounds of Navy House at Port Said. The Egyptian flag was hoisted thus marking the end of 74 years of occupation of the Zone by the British and the finale of 155 years of British Military activity in Egypt.

Photo is dated 1956.

Photo measures 9 x 7 inches.