Norway’s participation in the United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt, 1956 to 1967

In 1956, the UN initiated what later became known as the first traditional peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Egypt. Approximately 11,000 Norwegians served in UNEF until the operation ended in 1967. The Army was the main contributor, and Norway's contribution consisted of infantry troops, as well as medical and staff personnel.

Through a historical approach, the research project will account for the operation's international and national context, as well as summarize and discuss the existing literature on the topic. Furthermore, the project will shed light on the cultural and mentality-related aspects of the Egypt contribution through perspectives from the “war and society” tradition and place the Norwegian efforts in a broad societal context. The project aims to identify and gather sources that previously have been little examined.

The purpose of the project is to provide a systematic, comprehensive, and research-based presentation on Norway's 11-year military participation in UNEF.

The project is part of a program for research on veterans and veteran policy.