§ 129. Mr. Edelmanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when, and in what circumstances, the Royal Navy frigate "Crane" was attacked by Israeli jet aircraft while patrolling in the Suez area.
Mr. WardH.M.S. "Crane" was attacked by jet aircraft on the 3rd November just before sunset while on a routine patrol near the entrance to the Gulf of Aquaba. The aircraft were first sighted making a bombing attack ashore, after which they climbed and flew straight towards H.M.S. "Crane" where they formed in close formation. Attacks were then made by five aircraft with rockets, small bombs and cannon fire. H.M.S. "Crane" did not open fire until the first aircraft was committed to a dive-bombing attack. One aircraft was almost certainly destroyed. H.M.S. "Crane" suffered some damage, but her operational efficiency was not impaired. Three men were slightly injured. The aircraft were not positively identified.