Aden, 1967
British rule over the colony of Aden was drawing to an end by the mid 1960s and it was due to be given full independence by 1968.
Different factions, including two groups, The National Liberation Front (NLF) and the Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY), saw an opportunity to try and gain power. The Town of Crater had become the centre of unrest and terrorist attacks had become a daily occurrence. When the Aden Armed Police revolted and British troops were ambushed and brutally murdered, including three members of the Argylls advance party, Crater became a no-go area. On the night of the 3rd/4th July 1967, the 1st Battalion under the command of Lt Col Colin Mitchell, re-occupied Crater and established law and order. Observation posts and road blocks were created, continuous patrols and searches were mounted and despite the constant attacks by terrorists the Battalion succeeded in maintaining a firm control over the area. By November when the Battalion was ordered to withdraw, five Argylls had been killed and several more wounded. The Regiment had become a household name in Britain, as millions followed their exploits on nightly television news reports. They earned a reputation for being a tough but highly professional unit.
