British public opinion is heavily divided by the decision of the Eden Government to commit British Armed Forces to an invasion of the Suez Canal.  The Labour Party is totally opposed to the use of armed force.  A biography of Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell.  Audio clips from Sir Anthony Eden and Labour Foreign spokesman Bevan are included in this episode.

The British and French build up their military forces in Malta and Cyprus, ready for an invasion of the Suez Canal.  Senior members of the British, French and Israeli Government meet in secret to plan for the coming war, an agreement is reached.  A biography of British Foreign Secretary John Selwyn Lloyd.  The American Government remains opposed to any military action.

President Nasser of Egypt links with the West grow worse, while his ties with the Soviet Union improve, the Communist block supplies new modern weapons to Egypt.  American and British Government now wish to remove Nasser from power.  So does the French Government who blames Nasser for his support from Algerian independence.  A biography of French Prime Guy Mollet.

King Fakour of Egypt is deposed.  Within a few months, Nasser becomes the Egyptian leader, at first with American support.  A biography of Nasser is given. Britain agrees to remove its military from the Suez Canal Zone.  Egypt begins to support Palestine guerrilla attacks into Israel, there are border clashes between Egypt and Israel.

The Suez Canal is built in 1869, it becomes a vital sea link for Britain who later occupy Egypt.  Britain takes military action to defend the Suez Canal in two world war and maintain a large military garrison along the Canal.  King Fakour of Egypt tries to get the British Government to remove it military from the Canal, the British refuse.  A terrorism campaign is launched against the British Canal Zone as a result the British storm an Egyptian Police Station.  A biography and profile of British Prime Minister in 1956, Sir Anthony Eden. 

De Gaulle agrees to Algerian independence.  A million Pied Noir leave Algeria, most go to France, some to Spain, Canada and Israel.  A history of Algeria since 1962, FLN seize power and the country becomes a one party state.  A biography of Boumediene the president of Algeria between 1965 and 1978,  Under his rule many of those who fought for Algerian independence suffer under his regime.

The senior Army leadership becomes increasingly disturbed by the policy of French President Charles De Gaulle towards Algeria.  Fearing that De Gaulle was moving towards giving Algeria independence.  A coup is staged, it including two former Army commanders in Algeria General Salan and Challe as well as General Zeller, his biography is given.  The coup collapses after four days.

Militant Pied Noir leaders anger at De Gaulle talk of Algerian self determination stage a revolt in Algiers in January 1960, there is violence and the revolt last a week before it is ended.  A biography of Pied Noir leader Joe Ortiz.  De Gaulle tries to reach a comprise with Algerian Nationalist but FLN carries on the war.  

The French Army launch a series of offensive against the FLN.  A biography of French Army commander General Challe.  Attempts by French President Charles De Gaulle to reach out to Algerian Nationalist movement anger the Pied Noir and the FLN reject De Gaulle peace offers. 

The French built a wall between Algeria and Tunisia to prevent the flow of arms into Algeria.  The French Army and the Pied Noir grow angry with the Governments of the French Fourth Republic.  The Army in 1958 stage a coup in Algiers.  It seems as if there might civil war.  However the French Fourth Republic is replaced by a Government led by Charles De Gaulle, his biography is given.