Operation TUNDRA - (United Nations Emergency Force I (UNEF I))

International Operation Name: United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF)

International Operation Dates:  1956/11/05 –1967/06/17

Mandating Organization: United Nations

Region Name:  Middle East

Location:  Egypt

Canadian Operation Name: Operation TUNDRA

Canadian Operation Dates: 1959/01

Mission Mandate: Provide a rifle company to UNEF

Mission Notes:

In 1956 United Nations Emergency Force was created, with contingents being provided from ten nations.  Finland and Indonesia committed troops for a limited period, which resulted in the withdrawal of these personnel in December and September 1957 respectively.  In December 1958, Colombia withdrew its contingent, creating a shortage of personnel to perform the required tasks.  The United Nations began the process of finding replacement troops, asking Canada for a contribution of one rifle company.  The name for this reinforcement of Canada’s contribution to UNEF was Op TUNDRA.

On 28 January 1958, a meeting chaired by the Army’s Director General Plans and Operations was held in Ottawa.  The Chief of the General Staff had directed that the rifle company be drawn from 2^nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.  The plan called for 150 to deploy if Cabinet approved the commitment.  In the end, cabinet did not approve the request and no members of 2 RCR deployed.