CAIRO CHOLERA OUTBREAK - 1947

As Remembered By George Penman

As Chief Clerk of G (Ops) Branch GHQ MELF, I was always aware of the presence of New Zealand soldiers whose base at El Maadi became a second home. It was to this camp that the men of the 1st Echelon were transported in 1940 to reinforce the defence of Egypt against Romell's army. Little wonder that the many Britiah soldiers were to be eternally grateful that the camp had been maintained when a panademic of cholera was detected in late September 1947, for the swift action of the British to utilize the camp as an isolation base enabled the British forces to spend a safe quarantine until the battle with cholera was won.

The total number of cholera victims was 20,804 detected with 10,277 deaths; the total fatality rate was therefore around 50%. Immediate innoculationat the start of the epidemic was slow due to the shortage of vaccine but once supplies had been obtained from abroadm immunization throughout Egypt was complete in a comparatively short time. At first there was an element of panic which even spread to the Egyptian government and when, on the 31st October, another 442 victims were declared and there was nothing to indicate the spread of infection was being checked, the Egyptian government considered the imposition of martial law throughout the country. The government also banned funeral processions and all victims had to be buried immediately.

There was a trail of smoke over the rooftops of Cairo as low flying aeroplanes sprayed the city with a DDT preparation against the spread of cholera by flies. The extra high flooding of the Nile and the primitive nature of the Cairo drains resulted in the spread of sewage into theNile. It is interesting to observe that cholera prevalence as measured by morbidity-rates coincides very closely in distribution and severity of infection with sanitation. The disease fails to establish itself in any of the towns provided with satisfactory sanitary accommodation.

For the "residents" of El Maadi, the arrangements were for B and B and evening meal. Meals were taken with utensils taken from a solution of potassium permanganate. Footwear was treated with chlorine solution. After breakfast and ablutions we waited for the "bus" to take us to work - a five ton army lorry which wound its way through Old Cairo and so onto work, a process which was reversed in the evening. Personally, I enjoyed the daily trips through the old city observing the rooftops and the Citadel and other sites, now tourist attractions.

Bread was supplied from a Field Bakery, efficiently run by WO James Weatherspoon who, upon demob set up a chain of bakeries in his native Fife. Bread was only provided in toasted form, a cholera required restriction. With "Payday Parade" reducing baker numbers, James hit upon a version of the Scotch Pie as a way of having a prepared meal which only needed reheating. This quickly became known as a "Maadi Pie" which was enjoyed by all.

The camp residents quickly adjusted to the new routine and I enjoyed the daily commute to Cairo. When the battle with cholera was won it was back to the Maared barracks where we were accommodated in the pavilions of a former agricultural exhibition. Opposite the barracks were the luxuries of the sporting facilities of the appropriately named El Alamein club. Provided were football, tennis, squash and the luxury of an outdoor swimming pool.

I was one of the fortunate British service personnel who filled the Alamein club stands to watch the final game played there before the historic club was handed over to the Egyptian government. The occasion was the British services -v- Egypt services for the Alamein Cup. King Farouk's representative presented the cup to the Egyptian captain who was man-of-the-match in a game in which the British services wer outplayed 8-0 by a team which was well trained and coached and was really the Egyptian National Team.

The former Maared barrack site is now occupied by the Cairo Opera House.

NO BRITISH TROOPS DIED DURING THE CHOLERA OUTBREAK.

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