SAPPERS WORK WITH METAL CUTTING IMPLEMENTS ON STATUE; STATUE SWUNG OUT AND ONTO LORRY.




Initials



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Background: IN A STEALTHY MIDNIGHT OPERATION AT THE WEEKEND, BRITISH SOLDIERS IN ADEN SUCCESSFULLY TRANSPLANTED A BRONZE STATUE OF QUEEN VICTORIA, FROM A TERRORIST-RIDDEN AREA TO THE BRITISH EMBASSY A FEW MILES AWAY. THE TOP SECRET PLAN FOR MOVING THE TWO-TON STATUE WAS CARRIED OUT UNDER THE CODE-NAME OPERATION EMPIRE.

A SQUADRON OF SAPPERS MOVED IN AND SOUNDED OUT THE STATUE FOR HIDDEN BOOBY TRAPS. THEN, GENTLY, WITH SLOW TORCHES, HAMMERS AND CHISELS THEY BEGAN TO SEPARATE THE QUEEN FROM THE MARBLE BASE ON WHICH SHE WAS SAT SINCE 1911.

AS THE SAPPERS WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT A PRINCE OF WALES GUARD PLATOON STOOD NEARBY, GUNS COCKED AND AT THE READY.

THE WHOLE CRESCENT AREA OF ADEN WAS SEALED OFF DURING THE OPERATION. EVENTUALLY THE STATUE WAS SWUNG OUT FROM ITS BASE BY CRANE AND LOWERED GENTLY INTO A WAITING THREE-TON LORRY.

THEN IT WAS DRIVEN SLOWLY THROUGH THE STREETS OF ADEN, BACK TO A NEW RESTING PLACE ON BRITISH SOIL.