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Iarmor

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  1. Deserted Israeli vehicles near Al-Qantara, after the 1973 war: https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/207795 These Centurions and M48A3s belonged to the 198th and 9th armored battalions respectively. They were destroyed on October 6th-7th, while trying to prevent the Egyptian 18th infantry division troops from crossing the Suez Canal. Close-up on a 105 mm APDS round is at 0:42.
  2. Another reunion: Yair Littwitz wrote a book about his 1973 war experience as a reserve M60A1 platoon leader in the 87th armored reconnaissance battalion (and as a company CO in the 79th armored battalion, to which he joined after the 87th was written off in the Chinese Farm). He named the book after his tank's registration number, 817831. The M60A1-equipped formations, the reserve 600th armored brigade and 87th armored reconnaissance battalion, suffered heavy losses during the war. There were also many cases of officers having to swap their lightly-damaged or broken-down tank with a subordinate's tank, in order to keep leading their formation. 817831 was one of the few M60A1s (alongwith 817701, which later became the Sabra prototype) that kept running along the whole war without replacing any crewmember and without suffering disabling damage. It was the only tank to do so in the 87th battalion. After the book came out, Littwitz joined a group of veterans in a quest for their old wartime tanks. A visit to a huge IDF tank scrapyard had brought up some emotional findings for others, but 817831 was not there. However, a while later, 817831 was found at a remote IDF base in southern Israel, stored in a pretty good shape (as opposed to the ones at the scrapyard). For some reason, the tank was then selected to be exhibited in the Latrun Armor Museum, in its 1973 configuration. Works took place to remove the upgrades which were added along the years and even a M19 cupola was obtained in order to get the original looks back (by 1973 most M48s were already fitted with the Israeli cupola, but all M60s still had the original one). Notable imperfections remain, though: T142 tracks instead of T97, larger turret basket, mixture of M60 aluminum (with ribs) and M48 steel (without ribs) road wheels. BTW 1: Littwitz also served as a platoon leader during the 1967 war, in the only M48A3 company in the IDF at that time. Combining AVDS-1790 engines and M68 main guns, these were the most advanced tanks in the fleet and were responsible (alongside a M48A2C company) for the annihilation of an Egyptian IS-3 heavy tank battalion at the Rafah Gap (which the main passage between Israel and the Sinai Peninsula). BTW 2: Latrun has several more exhibits with unique individual history: the first tank that crossed the Suez Canal (M48A3 no. 818577), Avigdor Kahalani's Centurion (no. 815152) from the Valley of Tears and the latest addition, the first tank (Sherman) that reached the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in the 1967 war. The Sherman arrived about a month ago from a UK private collector, after it was sold to Uganda during the 1970s. In a shocking coincidence, the TC passed away at the same day his old tank came back to Israel.
  3. From Google Books, about the Egyptian theater in the Yom Kippur war: The Egyptian Strategy for the Yom Kippur war: An Analysis by Dani Asher Soldier in the Sinai: A General's account of the Yom Kippur War by Major General Emanuel Sakal (IDF 52nd armored battalion CO during the war) At the Decisive Point in the Sinai: Generalship in the Yom Kippur War by General Jacob Even (IDF 143rd armored division XO during the war) and Colonel Simcha B. Maoz
  4. When the Magach 7 was accepted into service, in the winter of 1989/1990, there were many complaints about its mobility in the Lebanese mud with all that extra armor, especially when attached with a mine roller. The Merkava's 900 hp engine was then quickly adopted instead of the original 750 hp. It helped, but the Magach 7 was still less agile than the lighter armored (ERA) Magach 6 versions. Looks like they did a much better job with the Sabra.
  5. Why m.1974? The Tiran was never fielded with a LRF. There was a proposed modernization project in the 80s, with several prototypes built, but it was canceled since the IDF prefered to concentrate on the Merkava development and on Magach and Shot upgrades. For the Tiran 4 and 5 (T-54 and T-55 respectively), the current T-55A model would have been sufficient with slight changes, such as the GPS introduced into the Tirans for the 105 mm gun: Ballistic range columns, from left to right: coaxial mg (Browning 0.3), anti personnel (flechette), HESH, APDS (L-28), HEAT.
  6. 90 mm ammo didn't do well against Egyptian IS-3s and T-54/55s during the 1967 war. The IDF had good reasons to expedite the M48 upgrade process (engine + main gun). During the 1973 war the upgunned M48A3 was the most common tank among the Israeli forces in the Egyptian front (about 400 vehicles), and it did very well against the T-54/55. The T-55 did had the night vision advantage though. As for T-62s, the Israeli M48s didn't have many chances to engage them in 1973, since the Egyptian army had only two T-62 brigades and the course of the war lead the T-62s to face mostly Centurions and Shermans. However, the M48 did get its fair share of battles with the T-62 during the 1982 war. After all active IDF armor formations were already busy with the PLO and with smaller Syrian forces, the reserve 90th armored division was tasked with assaulting the main Syrian armored formation in Lebanon, the 1st armored division in the Beqaa Valley. The M48 (like almost all IDF tanks) still had no night vision, but the 105 mm was better than ever with the new APFSDS. The added ERA was very helpful against Saggers and RPGs, but the post-penetration survivability remained as bad as it was in earlier conflicts.
  7. https://fas.org/man/dod-101/army/unit/toe/index.html
  8. MTU engine? Same as Leopard 1? There are no air cleaner boxes on the fenders, unlike the M48A3 with its AVDS-1790.
  9. Did the upgraded West German M48A2C retain the original gasoline engine?
  10. Not much extra armor for the turret? Turret armor can be useful sometimes Magach was the Hebrew name for the M48 and M60 series in Israeli service, since the first Israeli acquisition of M48 tanks in 1964-5, regardless of any upgrades or modifications. The Israeli army has never fielded a Magach with 120 mm gun, although it did demand that the 120 mm gun developed by IMI would fit onto the M60. This demand delayed the 120 mm gun fielding, with the Merkava Mk. 3, to 1990, while the Syrian and Iraqi armies combined already had over 2,000 T-72s. Sabra was IMI's name for the Turkish army M60A3 TTS upgrade project. BTW, the Sabra prototype was an old M60A1 that IMI have received from IDF storage. When inspecting the tank they got, one of the IMI project officials found some familiar damage-repair weldings. A quick glance at the tank's ID number, 817701, confirmed that it was his own tank during the 1973 war, when he served in Sinai as a young reserve platoon leader with the 410th armored battalion, 600th armored brigade. After the upgrade work on the prototype was finished, the '3' tactical marking was applied to the tank as it was during the war:
  11. Iarmor

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    Pictures taken in the Golan Heights shortly after the 1967 war: Tell Al-Azaziyat, previously considered the most intimidating Syrian frontline stronghold, has fallen into Israeli hands. It overlooks She'ar Yeshuv and Kibbutz Dafna in the Hula Valley of the Upper Galilee. The Mountains of Naphtali are seen further to the west. Panzer IV (probably at Tell Al-Azaziyat) T-54 M-46 130 mm guns. Before and during the war, these long range guns were used by the Syrians to shell targets as far as Safed. Some more pictures are here.
  12. M60A3 TTS with ERA Other than the ERA, commander's cupola, smoke grenade dischargers, 60 mm mortar and machine guns, the IDF M60A3 was identical to the one already modeled in SB.
  13. Iarmor

    We love photos

    Shortly after the June 1967 war, an Israeli ordnance officer has located some 30 Jordanian army Centurions left abandoned near the ancient Herodium fortress, while he was flown over Judea by an IAF light reconnaissance aircraft to seek war booty. When the IDF 681st ordnance workshop men arrived there, they found that the Jordanian crews had filled the fuel tanks with sand before they escaped. The Israeli ordnance men had to remove the fuel tanks, clean the fuel system and tanks and reinstall in field conditions for all 30 Centurions, before they could be driven uphill to Bethlehem. From Bethlehem the tanks were transported on flatbeds to the workshop, where they were refurbished and accepted into IDF service. Like all other 1967 war booty tanks (T-54/55s, M48s, PT-76s, IS-3s, M4s) accepted into service, the ex-Jordanian Centurions were numbered 109###, as opposed to the typical 81#### numbering common to most Israeli Centurions. The ex-Jordanian machines were always preferred by IDF Centurion crews, as they tended to be more reliable for some reason. Here are some of these captured Centurions, seen while waiting for the flatbeds at the Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity. Note the Hebrew graffiti on the tanks, which includes the number 681.
  14. Ceasefire lines, October 24th: Israeli army: TF Nammer holds the frontline from Budapest stronghold (the only Bar-Lev frontline stronghold left standing) on the northern coast of the Sinai peninsula to Objective Hamadiya, including Maror and Havragah second-line posts and the eastern dune of Objective Hamutal (Kathib Ayfan). Its HQ is at Baluza. 143rd armored division is spread over two continents, in positions facing both north and west. It holds the frontline at the southern half of Objective Missouri in the Sinai, north of the Chinese Farm, and at the northern half of the area occupied in Africa, south of Ismailia and north of Jabal Umm Kathib. It is responsible for the Israeli bridge area, around Matzmed stronghold - Deversoir. 162nd armored division holds the western bank of the southern canal sector between Fanara and Suez, besieging Suez and the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in Sinai from the west. 252nd armored division holds the frontline in Africa west of the 162nd armored division, between Jabal Umm Kathib and Ras Mahagara (including the 101 km milestone of the Suez - Cairo road and Jabal Ataqa). 440th armored division holds the frontline in the southern canal sector in Sinai, between the Bitter Lakes and Uyun Musa (including Mitzvah and Notzah second-line posts and the Egrofit observation post of Ras Misalla), besieging the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in Sinai from the east. Southern Command forward HQ is on Jabal Umm Khashiba, alongside communication, surveillance, radar and EW facilities. Total: 570 MBTs, 17 artillery battalions + 6 batteries. Egyptian and allied Arab armies: Northern sector: 135th infantry brigade holds the frontline in the At-Tina plain - Sabkhat Al-Mallaha area in northern Sinai, from Port Fuad to At-Tina. 2nd field army: 18th infantry division holds the frontline in the Sinai around Al-Qantara. 2nd infantry division holds the frontline in the Sinai east of Al-Firdan Bridge. It controls an Artillery Road segment east of Ash-Shajara (ex-IDF Nozel second-line post). 16th infantry division holds the frontline in the Sinai SE of Ismailia, facing both east and south. It holds Abu Waqfa (the western dune of Objective Hamutal), Kathib Al-Khayl and Kathib Abu Tarabush (the last two form Objective Makhshir together) and controls the nearby Artillery Road segment. 10th mechanized infantry brigade (of the 3rd mechanized infantry division) is east of As-Salakhiya airbase, west of the canal. 23rd mechanized infantry division (with just its 118th mechanized infantry brigade), 150th paratroop brigade and 131st commando regiment hold the frontline in Africa at the Ismailia - Abu Suwayr airbase area, along the Freshwater Canal. 3rd mechanized infantry division, 116th mechanized infantry brigade (of the 23rd mechanized infantry division) and 35th independent armored brigade (mistakenly marked as 33rd) hold the frontline in Africa at the Aida Plains - Ridan Al-Hama area. 3rd field army: 7th infantry division holds the frontline in Sinai between the Little Bitter Lake and Ash-Shalufa. It controls an Artillery Road segment at Objective Merukaz. 130th marine and 25th independent armored brigade remnants hold the ex-IDF Botzer stronghold, facing the Israeli-held Kibrit Peninsula. 19th infantry division holds the frontline in Sinai south of Ash-Shalufa, north of Uyun Musa. It controls an Artillery Road segment at Qarrat Al-Murra (Objective Polygon). 2nd armored brigade (of the 4th armored division) holds the frontline in Africa around Objective Bologna. 6th mechanized infantry brigade (of the 4th armored division) holds the frontline in Africa around Objective Tango, on Asor road and the Cairo - Suez railway. 3rd armored brigade (of the 4th armored division) and an Algerian armored brigade (unmarked on the map) hold the frontline in Africa around Objective Zanzibar (SE of Jabal Uwaybid), on the Cairo - Suez road. 113th mechanized infantry brigade (of the 6th mechanized infantry division) remnants are south of the Cairo - Suez road, north of Jabal Abu Turyfiya. Total: 1000 MBTs (510 east and 470 west of the canal, including the Red Sea theater), 160 artillery batteries east and 50 batteries west of the canal. Both the 7th and 19th infantry divisions, as well as the force in Botzer, are encircled by the IDF. More and more of the encircled Egyptian troops try to swim across the canal from east to west, evading Egyptian gunfire, in order to become POWs and get some water. They claim that in one division the allowed water consumption is one canteen cork per day, while in the other it is a whole canteen per day. As of October 28th, Israel allows UN convoys (green) to supply the encircled Egyptian 3rd field army forces in Sinai, in exchange for the Egyptians (unofficially, for now) lifting the blockade on the Strait of Bab Al-Mandab (off the map). MBT fleet diagram - Suez Canal theater: Sinai (upper diagram): October 6th: IDF 290. October 10th: IDF 650, Egypt 700-750. October 14th: IDF 700, Egypt 1000 (in the morning, down to 800 by the evening). October 18th: IDF 280, Egypt 500-550. October 22th: IDF 270, Egypt 500. October 24th: IDF 180, Egypt 500. Egypt (lower diagram): October 6th: Egypt 1200 (additional 450 are in the second operational echelon. Total fleet is 2200). October 10th: Egypt 450. October 14th: Egypt 200. October 18th: IDF 280, Egypt 350 (200-300 additional MBTs are at the outskirts of Cairo). October 22th: IDF 360, Egypt 300 (200-300 additional MBTs are at the outskirts of Cairo). October 24th: IDF 390, Egypt 260 (200-300 additional MBTs are at the outskirts of Cairo, including 100 Algerian and 100 Libyan). Expeditionary forces from several Arab countries are deployed to Egypt in order to support the war effort. Most of the ground elements have reached the Suez Canal theater only in the last days of the war and afterwards. They include the Libyan 9th armored brigade (T-55s, M109s), an Algerian armored brigade (T-55s), a Moroccan infantry brigade, a Sudanese infantry brigade and a Tunisian infantry battalion. The sole exception is the Kuwaiti Al-Yarmouk infantry battalion, which was deployed to the Suez Canal theater (around Fanara) before the war. Other than the Kuwaiti battalion, which saw combat since October 20th, 3 Libyan M109s were found deserted near the Chinese Farm on October 23rd and the Algerian brigade went into battle on October 24th. The Moroccan brigade participates only in post-ceasefire skirmishes. The Egyptian army is busy with reviving its armored and mechanized infantry divisions, using the hundreds of tanks supplied by the Soviets and other allies. After a series of intense arguments, the Egyptian president Anwar As-Sadat secretly dismisses the Egyptian Chief of General Staff Sa'ad Ad-Din Ash-Shazli sometime between October 19th (as As-Sadat claims) and December 13th (as Ash-Shazli claims), replacing him with Muhammad Abd Al-Ghani Al-Gammasi. The clashes between As-Sadat and Ash-Shazli started when the president ordered the October 14th offensive, which was strongly opposed by the Egyptian generals, and intensified as the Egyptians watched their 3rd field army being encircled by the IDF. On the Israeli side, a few days after the ceasefire, the 179th armored brigade leaves Egypt and its HQ returns to the northern Israel, while the 96th armored battalion is detached from it and becomes the first IDF T-62 battalion. The 179th is the only IDF brigade that fought against all 4 main opponents: the Syrian, Iraqi, Jordanian and Egyptian armies (and even the Egyptian navy). More significant deployment changes take place in November: The 146th armored division leaves the Golan Heights and deploys to the Chinese Farm - Objective Hamutal area in the Sinai on November 6th. Under its command are the 205th (Shot Meteor) and 274th armored brigades and the 424th infantry reconnaissance battalion. Later in November the 274th brigade is attached with the 88th amphibious armored reconnaissance battalion, which crosses the canal back to the Sinai and unites with its organic brigade not before a short period of Fanara-based amphibious activity in the Greater Bitter Lake. The 162nd armored division redeploys back to Sinai, this time to the southern canal sector, alongside the 440th armored division. They prepare to wipe out the encircled Egyptian 3rd field army forces if the order comes. The planned operation is named Abirey Lev 2. The 143rd armored division is assembled into Africa as the 600th armored brigade crosses the Suez Canal, after handing over its positions in the Chinese Farm area to the 205th armored brigade of the 146th armored division. The 143rd division is also attached with the 288th armored reconnaissance battalion (Shot Cal) of the 146th division, as well as with the 16th infantry brigade, which had spent the war along the Jordanian border (except for its 68th infantry battalion, which had lost two companies at the Bar-Lev Line strongholds in the beginning of the war). The 252nd armored division is reinforced with the 204th mechanized infantry brigade (originally part of the 252nd, but spent the war under TF Nammer) and with the 279th armored reconnaissance battalion. TF Nammer is attached with the 670th mechanized infantry brigade of the 146th division. The 670th brigade gets back its 268th tank battalion (Sherman), which had spent the war near the Jordanian border while the 670th fought on the Golan. TF Sela leaves the Baluza area, crosses the Suez Canal and takes over the 162nd armored division positions on the western bank of the southern canal sector, besieging Suez city. Under its command are the 5th and 9100th infantry brigades, as well as several smaller TFs. Ex-US army M60s (slick), supplied to Israel under Operation Nickel Grass, are pressed into service with some battalions of the 14th, 401st and 600th armored brigades, where they serve alongside battalions equipped with the surviving M48A3s (14th and 401st brigades) and M60A1s (600th brigade). The 9th, 257th, 407th armored and 87th reconnaissance battalions are revived, but the 87th is equipped with jeep-mounted TOW launchers instead of tanks. The first combat use of TOW missiles in the Egyptian theater took place on October 26th, when two missiles missed an Egyptian tank, two days after the first use in the Golan. M494 APERS rounds, aka Flechette, are supplied and pressed into service as well, as a part of the answer to the massive Egyptian use of ATGM-equipped infantry. Fresh war booty is also pressed into IDF service. Under the 252nd armored division, near Ataqa, the 265th armored brigade is established with two new T-55 battalions and with the 225th armored battalion (originally from the 274th armored brigade), which crosses the canal to join its new brigade. Another new T-55 battalion, the 453rd, is established near Baluza. Since it's much lighter, the T-55 deals the saline clay soil of the salt marshes in the northern sector somewhat better than the western designs. The 453rd tank battalion will later be attached to the 5th infantry brigade, completing its mechanization (the 5th brigade had received halftracks before the war, but no tanks yet). Additional T-54/55/62s formations are established under the Central Command (including the 96th armored battalion mentioned above), to face Jordanian M48s and Centurions in future conflicts. AT-3 Sagger missiles are also pressed into service with IDF paratroopers (some are mounted on jeeps, in addition to the captured BRDM-2 and portable 'suitcase' launchers) and used in combat against the Egyptians. IDF 626th crossing regiment is formed of the 605th, 630th and 634th crossing battalions. The Uniflote pontoon, Cylinder and Austerity bridges are named Barukh, Johnny and Yehuda respectively, after combat engineer officers that were killed at the bridgehead area between October 18th and 22nd. On December 1973, a 22-meter-wide solid-earth causeway embankment is established by IDF 572nd heavy machinery battalion, solidly connecting Asia and Africa once again. Preparations are made to bridge the southern Suez Canal sector from west to east (towards the encircled Egyptian 3rd field army), as well as the Freshwater Canal from south to north (towards the western outskirts of Ismailia), but the orders never come. General Israel Tal, the IDF deputy Chief of General Staff, officially replaces Gonen as the Southern Command CG on November 22nd. The embittered Gonen is assigned to command Merchav Shlomo (the southern Sinai region). Bar-Lev and Gavish return to their civilian life. The first Israeli attempt to send oil tankers again to the Gulf of Suez fails on October 26th, as the oil tanker 'Siris' is hit by a naval mine in the Strait of Jubal and sinks. However, the Israelis overcome the naval mines problem and the oil shipping to the Port of Eilat recommences. Skirmishes occur until a disengagement agreement is signed on January 18th 1974, following negotiations lead by General (res.) Aharon Yariv and Field Marshal Al-Gammasi at the 101 km milestone of the Suez - Cairo road, mediated by UNEF II CO LG Ensio Siilasvuo. The last Israeli force is withdrawn from the Suez Canal by March 1974, whereas about 90% of the Egyptian troops are withdrawn from the Sinai. As the Egyptian naval blockade on the Strait of Bab Al-Mandab is officially lifted, the two Israeli navy Sa'ar 4-class missile boats set sail from Haifa on February 25th, encircle Africa and arrive in Sharm Ash-Sheikh on April 1st. Since they are equipped with Centurions, that are considered better suited for the Golan terrain than the M48s/M60s, the 146th armored division troops (now including the 164th armored brigade) are deployed again to the Golan Heights in March 1974 for some more skirmishes with the Syrians, that would continue until June 1974.
  15. Indirect tank fire was used by the IDF also in several later incidents: April 4th 1969: M48 semi-indirectly fires 90 mm HVAP rounds from the Pier Stronghold of the Bar-Lev Line, sinks the oil tanker Sadd Al-Furat near the Suez refineries, 5200 meters away. That specific tank platoon, of the 46th tank battalion, was trained for indirect fire at 15-20 kms ranges, and its tanks (ex-Jordanian M48s, 1967 war booty) were modified accordingly. That platoon was raided and destroyed by Egyptian commandos near the Pier Stronghold on July 10th 1969, and one of its tankers was taken alive back to Egypt as a POW. April 21st 1969: M48A3 semi-indirectly fires 105 mm rounds from near the Croatian Memorial Cemetery, destroys an Egyptian antenna beyond the Suez Canal. The antenna, located in a mango plantation behind a sand wall, was also used as an observation tower by an Egyptian (or Soviet?) FO. After the incident, the Israeli TC (of the 184th tank battalion), who fired with no special preparations (didn't even know the range), was promoted on the spot to lead a platoon by the 14th armored brigade CO, despite not being an officer, and was decorated by the Chief of General Staff Bar-Lev. 1970, towards the end of the War of Attrition: T-54/55s (1967 war booty) indirectly fire 100 mm HE-FRAG rounds from the Pier Stronghold at Egyptian SAM sites beyond the Suez Canal. T-54/55 crews trained for indirect fire at 15-20 kms ranges up until 1972, when the original main guns were replaced with 105 mm. 1973-1974, during and after the Yom Kippur War: Centurions semi-indirectly fire at Jordanian and Syrian AFVs near and on Tell Al-Hara, from positions around Umm Batna - Tell Maskhara. In one post-war incident, at least one BRDM-2 was destroyed.
  16. In the decade preceding the Six Day War, the Syrian border was Israel's hottest, with many skirmishes taking place along the Jordan River valley DMZ. The Jordan River's Headwater Diversion Project, planned by the Arab League, was only one of several disputes, but one with strategic implications. Since no later than 1957, the IDF Northern Command has been alerting tanks to the Jordan River valley to return fire during skirmishes with the Syrian army. In November 1964, as tensions were rising due to the commence of substantive diversion works, MBTs were pre-deployed along the Syrian border for the first time. The decision to do so was contributed by the fact that the former Armored Corps CG, David Elazar, had commenced his new duty as the Northern Command CG on November 1st 1964. The tanks employed by the IDF Northern Command in the 1964-1965 skirmishes were Centurions (from the 82nd tank battalion) and M50 and M51 Shermans (from the 52nd tank battalion), whereas the AMX-13 had already been spared from these missions (but no earlier than 1962). M48A1s and M48A2Cs (from the 79th tank battalion, established in January 1965) were deployed along the Syrian border starting in January 1967. The Syrians employed Panzer IVs, T-34/85s and SU-100s, while the T-54/55s were kept with the elite formations at the rear, eyeing Damascus. In all skirmishes the Syrians had the height advantage, sometimes by hundreds of meters. They were positioned in hull-down trenches in heavily-fortified strongholds along the western slope of the Golan Plateau. In some cases they couldn't depress the gun low enough. The tank dual ranges were 700-4000 meters. The first incident, on November 3rd 1964, was a complete failure for the IDF: a Centurion platoon fired 89 APDS rounds (105 mm) from Tell Dan on two Panzers at An-Nukheila, 800 meters away, and failed to hit. Following the failure, the Armor Corps CG Israel Tal held a thorough investigation, that lead to improved training and results. General Tal, as well as the brigade and battalion COs, even participated some of the skirmishes themselves as a tank crewmembers. The two An-Nukheila Panzers were destroyed on November 13th by the same Centurion platoon. The Centurions were only held as backup for a platoon of good old M51 Shermans, but one Sherman malfunctioned and the Centurions quickly rushed in to rehabilitate their name. There were three incidents during which IDF tanks destroyed heavy equipment used in the diversion project, taking place between March and August 1965. In the last two incidents, the Israeli tank fire was semi-indirect: March 17th 1965: two tanks, Sherman (tank gunner: Armor Corps CG Israel Tal) and Centurion, fire from Tell Dan and destroy 8 bulldozers on the SW slope of Mount Hermon at 2000-2400 meters range. May 13th 1965: M51 Sherman (tank gunner: Armor Corps CG Israel Tal) fires from a field near Kibbutz Kefar HaNassi, destroys 3 bulldozers near the Upper Custom House at 5800-6000 meters range. August 12th 1965: Centurion (105 mm) fires from the Korazim Plateau slope, near Almagor, destroys one bulldozer near Qubat Qar'a at 11 kms range. The Centurion engages the bulldozer after its platoon had accomplished the task of finishing-off 7 Syrian tanks at shorter ranges (including a moving T-34 at 3 kms), while the neighboring M51 Sherman platoon had failed to hit the bulldozers. Another Centurion was hit by a T-34 and its TC, the 82nd tank battalion CO, was badly injured but the gunner, general Tal, was unhurt. The last Syrian diversion attempt was halted by IAF airstrikes on July 14th 1966. The June 1967 Six Day War gave the final blow to the project. BTW, the heavy equipment for the diversion project was kindly contributed by Mohammad Bin Laden's construction company, as the owner was eager to participate the effort. One of his 56 children was Osama. One night in Damascus, during a party, Mohammad Bin Laden had a friendly chat with someone named Kamal Amin Thabet, in which Bin Laden arrogantly disclosed important details about the project. He didn't know that Kamal Amin Thabet was the fake identity of Eli Cohen, a Mossad spy.
  17. Color footage taken weeks after the 1973 war: 0:34-6:40 Chinese Farm carnage (note the SA-2 battery remnants) 6:40-7:38 Golan Heights 7:38-8:42 War booty lot in central Israel
  18. Battle of Suez, October 24th: IDF 162nd armored division (blue): IDF 217th armored brigade (heavily reinforced with infantry) keeps mopping up the Egyptian 3rd field army fortifications on the western bank of the Suez Canal. While the 126th armored battalion clears the western coastline of the Little Bitter Lake, the 142nd and 113th armored battalions clear the Egyptian 7th and 19th infantry division fortifications respectively. IDF 271st combat engineer battalion clears Kibrit Peninsula. IDF 460th and 500th armored brigades, which park at the outskirts of Suez, are ordered to capture the city before the upcoming ceasefire - but "only if it's not Stalingrad". While the Israelis expect light or no resistance, as the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in Africa seem to disintegrate, the besieged Egyptian troops (which include a commando battalion, remnants from the 6th mechanized infantry division and a Sagger ATGM company from the 19th infantry division) are preparing to ambush the Israeli forces deep inside the built-up area. Zoom-in on the IDF 162nd division assault on Suez: IDF 460th armored brigade is lead by the 198th armored battalion, which assaults the industrial zone at the southern area of the city, from west to east. The industrial zone (including the refineries and the pier) is captured with light resistance, and the tanks engage Egyptian targets at Port Ibrahim. IDF 500th armored brigade is tasked with entering Suez through the main entrance, the Cairo - Suez road. After the 430th armored battalion opens the way in by destroying the Egyptian AT bastion (SU-100s and AT guns) defending the entrance, the 433rd armored battalion (20 Centurions, 7 M113s, 5 halftracks) leads the IDF column into the city. It its followed by two downsized paratroop battalions, the 564th battalion and TF Hisdai, and an armored reconnaissance company (M113s, originated in the 189th armored reconnaissance battalion). The paratroopers are mounted mostly on 9 freshly-captured OT-62s, but also on halftracks, trucks and buses. At first the resistance is light, as the Egyptian defenders let the Israeli column enter deep into the kill zone. Only when the Israeli vehicles reach Al-Arbaeen Mosque, they suddenly start taking heavy fire (RPGs, MGs, hand grenades, sniper fire) from the upper floors of the surrounding buildings and suffer heavy losses (almost all TCs are disabled). The Israeli column is separated into 3 isolated forces: the 433rd battalion, leaving behind two burning Centurions and one that lost its way on the streets, manages to advance 1500 meters deeper to the SE and reach its objective, the Triangle Junction - but it's still under (mostly sniper) fire. The 564th battalion (whose CO is injured when his OT-62 is destroyed) abandons its vehicles and gathers into the two-story police station, 300 meters SE of Al-Arbaeen Mosque, where it makes a stronghold and captures 30 Egyptian policemen. TF Hisdai abandons its vehicles as well, gathers and makes a stronghold in some building 600 meters NW of the Al-Arbaeen Mosque. The M113 company retreats backwards and out of the city. The 500th brigade XO is badly injured by sniper fire and the brigade's intelligence halftrack is lost with the brigade's intelligence officer and all of his 8 men. IDF 429th armored battalion attempts to advance into the built-up area from the north, in order to rescue the isolated paratroopers, but takes a heavy Sagger salvo and halts. The M113 company's attempt to enter the city also fails, mostly due to Egyptian sniper fire. Airstrikes are impossible, as the exact location of the Israeli and Egyptian forces is unknown to IDF HQ. In the meanwhile, the besieged Israeli paratroopers repel Egyptian assaults on their new strongholds with hand grenades. IDF elite 484th infantry reconnaissance battalion (mounted on 10 BTR-152s, reinforced with 5 Centurions from the 217th brigade), is rushed SW from the 217th brigade to the 500th brigade in order to help extricate the besieged 564th battalion. After losing a BTR with 16 men to an Egyptian SU-100 firing from the ex-IDF Mefatze'ach stronghold, the 484th battalion penetrates the city from the NE and suffers additional losses while failing to locate the 564th battalion. However, the 484th battalion unintentionally locates TF Hisdai and evacuates most of its wounded along with the M113 company. IDF 460th armored brigade sends in its 100th armored and 86th mechanized infantry battalions to reach the Triangle Junction from the west. They take over the city hall, join the 433rd armored battalion (whose mechanized infantrymen have already managed to take over the nearby multi-story Cleopatra Hotel), evacuate its wounded and cover its retreat westwards in the afternoon. In the evening, utilizing the darkness and artillery support, TF Hisdai successfully extricates itself to the NW on foot, reaching the 429th armored battalion positions at the outskirts of the city after walking 2 kms with almost no resistance and no further losses. Lastly, before dawn, the 564th paratroop battalion (commanded by a platoon leader, due to the heavy losses) extricates itself in a similar manner with similar results, making a 3 km journey to the NW. IDF 252nd armored division (green): IDF 11th mechanized infantry brigade (54th and 128th mechanized infantry, 279th armored reconnaissance and 4th tank battalions) crosses the canal before dawn, heads south and joins the 252nd division. On its way south the 11th brigade is attached with the 52nd armored and 226th tank battalions. The 52nd battalion joins the 226th battalion on Jabal Gharra, near SAM sites 5518 and 5519, from where they engage Egyptian 2nd armored brigade (4th armored division) remnants positioned at the northern part of Objective Bologna and NW of it (north of SAM site 5317). The remaining 11th brigade forces sweep through the area in between Jabal Ganifa and Jabal Gharra and eventually reach the 101 km milestone on the Suez - Cairo road. IDF 401st armored brigade is tasked with clearing Port Al-Adabiya and the surroundings. The area north and west of Port Al-Adabiya is cleared by the 46th armored battalion, while the area south of the port is cleared by the 195th armored battalion (destroys 4 T-34/85s). The 401st brigade HQ enters Port Al-Adabiya along with the 183rd armored battalion and meets there IDF 179th armored brigade forces. Two Egyptian K-123 torpedo boats are sunk by 105 mm tank rounds at ranges of 50 and 1500 meters, when they try to escape southwards. The 179th armored brigade heads back north, later followed by the 183rd armored battalion. Israeli Navy Red Sea Theater CO pays a visit to Port Al-Adabiya with two Dabur patrol boats and meets the captured Egyptian Navy Red Sea Theater CO. The Israeli Navy starts operating the harbor and tank landing crafts transport over 1200 Egyptian POWs from Port Al-Adabiya to Sinai, sailing alongside captured K-123 and Bertram boats. IDF 164th and 179th armored brigades decimate the Egyptian forces trapped between Agrud and the 101 km milestone of the Suez - Cairo road. The 179th armored brigade and TF Moreno (106th armored battalion XO's force) advance west from Agrud, while the 106th armored battalion and TF Yaron hold the 101 km milestone and repel armored assaults from both the east and the west (east and SE of Jabal Uwaybid). TF Moreno rejoins the 106th armored battalion at the 101 km milestone. In addition to Egyptian 4th armored and 6th mechanized infantry division remnants, the Arab forces attacking the Israeli 164th armored brigade from the west include the Algerian expeditionary force - an armored brigade equipped with T-55s. At night, IDF 183rd armored battalion heads west on the Suez - Cairo road to rejoin the 164th armored brigade. It surpasses the 101 km milestone by mistake, takes enemy tank fire from Objective Zanzibar (SE of Jabal Uwaybid) and retreats back east to the 101 km milestone. The Egyptian 3rd field army forward HQ, which is near SAM site 4927, is cleared by IDF paratroopers, who capture there over 500 POWs. However, most officers had already fled and the documents and radio tapes were all burnt. IDF heliborne SOF (Sayeret Matkal, aka Unit 269) destroy the Egyptian intelligence post on Jabal Ataqa and consolidate positions there. Jabal Ataqa provided the Egyptian intelligence with LOS observation as far as the western ends of the Mitla and Al-Jidi mountain passes. Meanwhile in the Sinai, IDF 440th armored division forces bite some more ground along the southern canal sector, putting pressure on the frontline positions of the encircled Egyptian 3rd field army. Their most notable gain is the Uyun Musa - Ras Misalla (including the Egrofit observation post) area, captured by 225th armored and 202nd paratroop battalion elements of TF Ayalon. Other than that, the Egyptian 7th and 19th infantry division forces hold the same positions as on the previous day.
  19. Filming of a drama TV series about the first 3 days of the 1973 war in the Golan Heights: 8 episodes are planned for the first season, to be broadcast in 2020. On 1:55, the Latrun Museum Curator, Michael Mass, praises the production's commitment to historical accuracy, as opposed to other war films. Two Centurions in running condition were received from the Latrun Museum for the Golan field footage. For the in-tank footage, they use this Centurion (not cut in half like the M48, but these "windows" are useful):
  20. Iarmor

    Take a dive!

    The coral reef in the Gulf of Eilat is already one of the most popular scuba diving tourism destinations in the world... Pre-opening tour in the Jordanian underwater military museum (opening is scheduled for 2020): 0:45-1:45 Lebanese cargo ship Cedar Pride, sank by the Jordanians in 1985 2:26-3:06 Jordanian military hardware put into the water. Including Chieftain MBT, Long Tom 155 mm gun (these were used to shell Tel Aviv from the hills of Samaria during the 1967 war), Ferret armored car, M42 Duster SP-AAA, RJAF AH-1 Cobra 4:06-5:26, 5:55-6:23 The new exhibits in the water 8:40-end RJAF C-130 Hercules, sank in 2017
  21. Iarmor

    We love photos

    October 30th, 1973: IDF recover the two Centurions (of the 430th armored battalion, 500th armored brigade) that sank into the 18-meters-deep Suez Canal, with 6 of their crew members, on the night of October 18th -19th, when carried from Sinai to Egypt by a Gillois amphibious tank carrier that was directly hit by Egyptian artillery. One of the dead, the H company CO (previously V company XO, promoted to replace casualties), could escape as the loader and driver did, but instead he tried to pull out the gunner and both drowned with their tank. His father, a reserve Ordnance Corps lieutenant colonel, was told about the drowning when he met the 430th battalion near Suez City while searching for his son. He then settled by the drowning place and waited for almost a week until his son's body was finally recovered. The complex recovery, lead by the best-known IDF ordnance Corps tank recovery expert (standing on the turret in the second picture), involved the use of divers and several vehicles, including a heavy crane, M88 and Centurion ARVs.
  22. Encirclement of the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in the Sinai, October 23rd: In order to finish the encirclement of the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in the Sinai ASAP, the Israeli forces in Africa are reinforced with several armor and infantry formations. IDF 226th tank battalion (detached from the 11th mechanized infantry brigade, TF Nammer on October 22nd) crosses the canal, heads south and joins the 252nd armored division. In the evening follows the 52nd armored battalion (detached from TF Garnit in the morning), which heads south after crossing and parks SW of Fayid AFB. There, in between the 143rd and 252nd armored division areas, the 52nd armored battalion forms the Southern Command's reserve in Africa. The 162nd armored division is reinforced with the 564th paratroop (flown to Fayid AFB by IAF CH-53s) and 484th infantry reconnaissance (crosses the canal on BTR-152s) battalions, in addition to the 50th paratroop battalion which is attached to it since October 21st, in order to expedite the mop up of the agricultural area on the western bank of the canal. IDF 252nd armored division (green): IDF 401st armored brigade (46th and 195th armored battalions) hastily leaves Jabal Umm Kathib area (not waiting for the 11th mechanized infantry brigade to replace it, leaving the area unoccupied for a short while), rapidly advances SE, in between Jabal Ganifa and Jabal Gharra, and then east on Asor road. Its task is to reach Suez and south of it, in order to complete the encirclement of the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in Sinai. IDF 164th armored brigade sends its 106th armored battalion to cut the Cairo - Suez road south of SAM site 5020, 101 kms from Cairo. At the same time, its 183rd armored battalion captures SAM sites 5321, 5320A and B (aka Avit A and B) on Jabal Gharra, as well as SAM site 5121. Multiple times, Egyptian forces trapped between Agrud and the 101 km milestone of the Suez - Cairo road desperately try to breach the road and the railway and escape westwards, while additional Egyptian forces, coming from the west (Objective Zanzibar, SE of Jabal Uwaybid), attempt to breach the road eastwards and remove the Israeli encirclement. Exposed in unfavorable positions, the IDF 106th armored battalion is under heavy pressure from both east and west and its CO (the second one, whose predecessor was injured on October 9th) is killed. However, with help from the 183rd battalion and by resorting to mobile defense tactics, the 106th manages to survive and to repel all Egyptian breaching attempts. The Egyptians forces around the 101 km milestone are 4th armored and 6th mechanized infantry division remnants (of the 3rd armored, 1st and 113th mechanized infantry brigades). To the north, the Egyptian 6th mechanized infantry brigade of the 4th armored division is blocking Asor road and the Suez - Cairo railway at Objective Worms and Objective Tango. After helping to stabilize the 106th armored battalion's hold on the Cairo - Suez road, the 183rd armored battalion leaves the 164th armored brigade, returns north and then heads east on Asor road. Along with TF Moreno (the 106th armored battalion XO's force), which arrives from the north, it heads south and assaults the Shell Oil Company storage site at Agrud and the nearby SAM site, both are parts of Objective Marze'ach. In the evening, while Objective Marze'ach is being cleared, the 401st armored brigade arrives there from the north. TF Moreno stays to hold the Suez - Cairo road, facing west, while the 183rd armored battalion is attached to the 401st armored brigade, which rushes to the SE on the Cairo - Suez road (with lights on, to allow faster movement). West of Suez the 401st armored brigade turns south and its forces reach Ataqa, Port Al-Adabiya, Ras Al-Adabiya and Ras Mahagara around midnight. Finally, the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in the Sinai are fully encircled. IDF 179th armored brigade (after getting back the force it had sent to assist the 460th armored brigade at Kasfarit airbase) advances south from the southern foot of Jabal Ganifa to Agrud. In the afternoon, IDF 226th tank battalion joins the 252nd division and occupies the positions abandoned by the 401st armored brigade at Vitamin - Vadaoot junction, near Jabal Umm Kathib. Its forces (mistakenly marked as a company from the 183rd battalion) climb Jabal Gharra, capture SAM sites 5518, 5519 and 5420 and engage SAM site 5418. The Egyptian forces located SW of Jabal Umm Kathib and at Objective Bologna, 2nd armored brigade (of the 4th armored division) remnants, appear to prepare an offensive. IDF 106th armored battalion forces at the 101 km milestone are joined by TF Yaron (a paratroop battalion from the 9100th brigade, named after its CO Uri Yaron) which is landed there by IAF CH-53s to reinforce the 164th armored brigade. IDF 162nd armored division (blue): Before noon (solid), IDF 460th armored brigade, alongside the 564th paratroop and 271st combat engineer (mounted on its halftracks, fighting as mechanized infantry) battalions, clears the Ganifa - Kibrit area and to pushes the retreating Egyptians towards Kibrit Peninsula. IDF 500th armored brigade clears the agricultural area on the western bank of the Little Bitter Lake, NE of SAM site 5228. IDF 217th armored brigade, attached with the 50th paratroop battalion, reaches the canal north of Ash-Shalufa and the paratroopers spread both northwards and southwards, clearing the Egyptian 3rd field army fortifications and ramparts in the agricultural area along the western bank of the canal. In the afternoon (dashed), the 162nd division XO, Dov Tamari, leads the 564th paratroop, 86th mechanized infantry, 271st combat engineer battalions and one Shot Cal company from TF Moreno to clear Kibrit Peninsula (notably the airbase), while the 460th and 500th armored brigades are ordered to leave the agricultural area and advance south in the desert terrain towards Suez. IDF 460th brigade rapidly advances through several abandoned SAM sites (and the Egyptian 3rd field army forward HQ, which is near SAM site 4927, but mistakenly marked on the map at Objective 4925) and reaches the fertilizer plant SW of Suez before dawn. Its 196th, 19th, 100th and 198th armored battalions park west and SW of the city, between the Cairo - Suez road and the coastline, besieging Suez alongside the 500th brigade. The 500th brigade parks north of Suez after destroying Egyptian armor. The 217th armored brigade is now solely responsible for the western bank of the canal south of Kibrit Peninsula. In addition to its 126th, 142nd and 113th armored battalions and the 50th paratroop battalion, it is now reinforced before sunset with the elite 484th infantry reconnaissance battalion (mistakenly marked 184th). In the evening the 217th brigade continues to clear the agricultural area along the western bank, while slowly advancing southwards. The brigade HQ is attacked by Egyptian infantry and several officers are injured, including the XO. After finding out they are encircled, Egyptian 3rd field army troops of various units retreat into the streets of Suez. Meanwhile in the Sinai: IDF 11th mechanized infantry brigade is detached from TF Nammer and redeploys to At-Tasa as the Southern Command's reserve in the Sinai. Shortly after the 11th is ordered to cross the canal and join the 252nd armored division. Maror second-line post is handed over to 204th mechanized infantry brigade troops. IDF TF Garnit is dissolved, as Israel Garnit returns home after he is informed that his son was killed in the Golan Heights on October 11th (with the 679th armored brigade at Khan Arnaba). The 875th mechanized infantry brigade and 202nd paratroop battalion are attached to the 440th armored division, which is now responsible for the whole southern canal sector in Sinai. IDF 225th armored battalion XO and his two companies leave Sharm Ash-Sheikh (off the map), head north and join TF Ayalon at Ras Dahaysa - Ras Misalla (off the map). There they replace the 225th battalion CO and his two companies, that are sent to join the single company left by the 52nd armored battalion near IDF Notzah second-line post. Egyptian 7th infantry division deployment: Egyptian 25th independent armored and 130th marine brigade remnants entrench themselves in ex-IDF Botzer stronghold. Egyptian 8th infantry brigade is on Lexicon road, east of Botzer and north of Ash-Shatt WW2 Croatian refuge camp. Egyptian 11th mechanized infantry brigade (mistakenly marked as the 19th) is around Ash-Shatt refuge camp, west of IDF Mitzvah second-line post. Egyptian 12th infantry brigade is at Objective Merukaz, cutting off the Artillery Road. Egyptian 19th infantry division deployment: Egyptian 5th infantry brigade is north of IDF Notzah second-line post. Egyptian 2nd mechanized infantry brigade is at Qarrat Al-Murra (Objective Polygon), cutting off the Artillery Road. Egyptian 22nd armored brigade (of the 6th mechanized infantry division) is around Objective Portal. Egyptian 7th infantry brigade is north of Uyun Musa, around Mavded and Tzeidar ex-IDF second-line posts. Off the map, IDF 409th armored battalion (of the 600th armored brigade) slowly advances north and halts at the heart of Objective Missouri, east of Evsha - Lexicon junction, lining up with the 410th armored battalion. The Israeli bridgehead is now 11 kms wide, between Missouri and the Greater Bitter Lake. Near the Chinese Farm, 3 deserted M109s are found by Israeli troops, indicating the presence of Libyan expeditionary force troops among the retreating Egyptian 16th infantry and 21st armored division remnants. The single intact M109 is pressed into service with IDF 899th medium artillery battalion. IDF 270th independent rocket artillery battalion leaves the Sinai on its way back to the Golan Heights, where there are still some unfired 240 mm rockets left. Following the collapse of the ceasefire and the Israeli advance, the Soviets put on alert 4 airborne divisions in addition to the 3 that are on alert since the October 11th Israeli breakthrough into Syria. Now all 7 Soviet airborne divisions are on alert to join the fighting in the Middle East. In addition, Soviet navy 5th squadron vessels are ordered to head to Port Said, including one cruiser, 3 destroyers, one frigate and 3 landing ships (one Alligator-class and two Polnocny-class) loaded with marines.
  23. IDF breach into Egypt continues, October 21st-22nd: October 21st: IDF 162nd armored division (solid blue): IDF 500th armored brigade (430th and 433rd armored battalions) struggles to advance south on Jabal Ganifa and parks near SAM site 5423. IDF 460th armored brigade, with its 198th (mistakenly marked 196th) and 100th armored battalions, follows the 500th armored brigade south on Jabal Ganifa and parks SW of it. IDF 50th paratroop battalion crosses the canal and gets attached to the 460th armored brigade, along with the 429th armored and 271st combat engineer battalions. These troops join the 196th armored and 86th mechanized infantry battalions in clearing the Treaty Road and the agricultural area along the western coastline of the Greater Bitter Lake, from Fayid to Fanara. The opposing forces are remnants of the Egyptian 207th armored battalion (2nd armored brigade, 4th armored division) and the Palestinian 107th infantry brigade. After the IDF 429th armored battalion CO (the second one, whose predecessor was killed on October 8th) is killed by Egyptian artillery, the 429th battalion heads west on Vitamin road, at the foot of Jabal Shabrawit, and parks near SAM site 5620 (this movement is not shown on the map), with the intention to catch up with the 500th armored brigade. IDF 113th armored and 19th tank battalions (under the 217th armored brigade) repel two Egyptian 113th mechanized infantry brigade counterattacks on SAM sites 5121. Utilizing the rocky and hilly terrain, Egyptian infantrymen manage to reach close range and try to climb on the Israeli tanks with handgrenades, leading the Israeli tanks to fire their machine guns at each other. As opposed to its rapid movement on October 19th and 20th, the 162nd armored division advances much slower on October 21st, due to heavier resistance put up by the redeployed Egyptian 4th armored and 6th mechanized infantry division elements. IDF 252nd armored division (solid green): IDF 401st armored brigade stays near Jabal Umm Kathib, in defense of Vadaoot - Vitamin junction and the Israeli western flank. The 195th armored battalion repels a battalion-scale assault by Egyptian 2nd armored brigade (of the 4th armored division) forces, destroying over 20 tanks. IDF 164th armored brigade is also ordered to stay near Jabal Umm Kathib and defend the western flank, but the brigade CO initiates offensives on nearby Egyptian SAM sites and armor around Objective Mitznefet. While the 106th armored battalion (mistakenly marked on the map as the 183rd) engages Egyptian armor near SAM site 5615 (on Jabal Umm Kathib, south of Objective Mitznefet), the 183rd armored battalion heads north, turns west to SAM site 5914 (north of Objective Mitznefet, found empty) and then proceeds south again, destroying Egyptian armor on its way. The battered Egyptian 2nd armored brigade (mistakenly marked on the map as mechanized infantry) retreats from Objective Mitznefet. IDF 143rd armored division (solid blue): After an unpleasant argument between the division CO Sharon and the Southern Command CG Gonen on the radio, during which Sharon has refused a direct order from Gonen, the MoD Dayan compels the dismayed Sharon to order his 600th armored brigade to attack Objective Missouri. The promised IAF support is not provided and this superfluous, hopeless attack is repelled by the Egyptian 16th infantry and 21st armored divisions with heavy losses for both sides: on the western wing (Lexicon road), IDF 410th armored battalion assaults eastwards deep into the Egyptian compound (deeper than shown on the map), takes heavy fire, suffers heavy losses and its remnants retreat to Evsha - Lexicon junction. The 410th is left with 4 battle-worthy M60A1s out of 26 that went to battle. On the eastern wing (Objective Missouri itself), IDF 409th armored battalion advances northwards and destroys ~20 Egyptian tanks, but stops at central Missouri as it tries to prevent fratricide fire due to lack of coordination with the 410th battalion. IDF 14th armored and 35th paratroop brigades slowly advance north towards Ismailia, clearing the agricultural area of Egyptian resistance. IDF 184th armored battalion captures a bridge over the Freshwater Canal south of Nafisha and repels a night counter-attack by Egyptian infantry. IDF paratroopers capture the Egyptian fortifications and ramparts between Serapeum and Jabal Mariyam. The opposing Egyptian forces are of the 150th paratroop, 118th mechanized infantry brigades and 131st commando regiment. IDF 421st armored brigade consolidates positions at the NW flank: the 264th armored battalion at SAM site 6615 and Vardit - Arzel junction, the 599th armored battalion at SAM site 6115 (dummy) and along Vadaoot road. Its forces pick up one IAF Mirage and several Egyptian MiG-21 pilots who ejected over the area. The opposing forces are remnants of the 23rd armored and 116th mechanized infantry brigades (of the 3rd and 23rd mechanized infantry divisions respectively), as well as the fresh 35th independent armored brigade. The 143rd division CO Sharon deploys his HQ to Egypt, while his XO Even remains in Matzmed to command the bridgehead. IDF TF Garnit (solid blue): IDF 875th mechanized infantry brigade launches a battalion-scale attack on Botzer stronghold, but the assault is stopped when the Israeli AFVs enter into a minefield. IDF TF Nammer (solid blue): Following an IAF pilot report about the absence of significant Egyptian forces at Objective Hamutal, IDF TF Atzloot (of the 274th armored brigade) assaults Abu Waqfa (the western dune of Hamutal) in the afternoon. The assault is repelled as several M113s and halftracks are destroyed by Saggers launched from the Egyptian 112th infantry brigade positions at Abu Waqfa and at Kathib Al-Khayl (the northern dune of Objective Makhshir). TF Atzloot CO (the 227th armored battalion XO) demands permission to retreat back to Kathib Ayfan (the eastern dune of Objective Hamutal) and argues with the Southern Command CG on the radio. The 274th brigade XO joins TF Atzloot with his halftrack, ordered to assume command, and eventually TF Atzloot retreats at night after evacuating most of its wounded. Surprisingly, no Tiran tank is seriously damaged in this battle. Egyptian troops remain in control of the Artillery Road in this sector, 15 kms east of the canal. All in all, during the 9 Israeli assaults on objectives Hamutal and Makhshir starting on October 8th, 61 Israeli soldiers were killed and 6 were captured by the Egyptians, alongwith 27 MBTs (8 Centurions, 13 M48A3s, 6 M60A1s), 6 M113s and 2 halftracks that were abandoned in Egyptian-held territory. Off the map, IDF 11th mechanized infantry brigade redeploys from Martef second-line post - Vermont area to Maror second-line post area. IDF 204th mechanized infantry brigade redeploys from Budapest stronghold - Yoram second-line post area to Martef - Vermont area. IDF 275th regional brigade takes command of the Budapest - Yoram area again. For a planned offensive on Port Fuad, the IDF establish in Baluza another division-sized TF named Sela (Hebrew for Rock), commanded by the Chief Infantry and Paratroop Officer Emmanuel Shaked. TF Sela is formed of several infantry formations, mostly ones that only now redeploy from the Jordan Valley to Sinai - such as the 9100th (ad-hoc established during the war) and 5th infantry brigades and the elite 484th infantry reconnaissance battalion. In addition, TF Sela is attached with the 279th armored reconnaissance and 564th paratroop battalions. Further off the map: At night, four Israeli navy Sa'ar missile boats attack coastal targets at the Abu Qir Bay with gun fire and Gabriel missiles and also sink two Egyptian observation boats on the way. When the Sa'ars head to leave the bay, the Egyptians launch several land-based anti-ship missiles that miss the Israeli boats. Before the dawn of October 22nd, at Port Al-Ghardaqa, Israeli naval commandos destroy an Egyptian Komar missile boat, numbered 501, using LAW rockets supplied under Operation Nickel Grass. Exactly 6 years earlier, on October 21st 1967, Komar 501 participated the sinking of INS Eilat. October 22nd: IDF 162nd armored division (dashed blue): The 162nd division is ordered to speed up its advance due to the upcoming ceasefire. IDF 500th armored brigade swaps sectors with the 460th armored brigade forces on Jabal Ganifa (198th and 100th armored battalions). The 500th, which got back its 429th armored battalion, advances SE on Jabal Ganifa, destroying many Egyptian T-55s (3rd armored brigade remnants) and overrunning SAM sites 5123 and 5124 oi its way. IDF 460th armored brigade, with its 198th and 100th armored battalions, clears SAM sites 5323 and 5324 (dummy) and engages Egyptian tanks on the Treaty road at long ranges from positions on Jabal Ganifa. Then it descends eastwards from Jabal Ganifa towards the Ganifa Camps and the Treaty Road. At the same time, IDF 196th armored, 50th paratroop, 86th mechanized infantry and 271st combat engineer battalions (under the 460th brigade as well) keep advancing SE on the Treaty Road and capture Fanara and Kasfarit airbase. IDF 113th and 126th armored battalions (of the 217th armored brigade) repel another Egyptian counterattack on SAM site 5121. IDF 19th tank battalion then advances south, cuts off the Cairo - Suez railway and gains control over the Cairo - Suez road, which is the main line of supply for the Egyptian 3rd field army. Many Egyptian army trucks are destroyed as they drive through the road, unaware of the Israeli tank presence. At noon, in order to assist the 460th armored brigade, the Southern Front CG orders the 162nd division CO to rapidly send his 500th and 217th armored brigade east towards the agricultural area on the western bank of the Suez Canal. The 217th armored brigade waives its control on the Cairo - Suez road, passes by SAM site 5027 on its way east and parks west of Ash-Shalufa for the night, not before capturing Objective Luca (126th armored battalion) and Objective Mina (142nd armored battalion). The 500th armored brigade sends its 430th armored battalion to capture the Egyptians fortifications at the southern edge of the Little Bitter Lake, east of SAM site 5228, in front of ex-IDF Lituf stronghold. At night the parking 430th battalion is attacked from several directions by Egyptian armor, extricates itself after a heavy battle at zero range and parks further to the west. The 460th armored brigade, attached with the 19th tank battalion again, parks at night around Ganifa and the Ganifa Camps after clearing the area. One of its M48s blocks the way of an Egyptian soft-skin convoy, one of which is surprisingly found to accommodate 3 Israeli POWs, who were being transferred from Kibrit towards Cairo. These POWs were caught on the same day near Botzer stronghold, after taking a wrong turn with their car. At once the Israeli POWs are freed and their Egyptian captors become POWs themselves. After sunset, the Egyptian 3rd field army CO and his staff, along with the 6th mechanized infantry division CO, escape their forward HQ (near SAM site 4927) to the main HQ on Jabal Uwaybid. The 3rd field army CO escapes on the only truck left usable, while the others escape on foot. IDF 252nd armored division (dashed green): IDF 164th armored brigade rapidly advances SE in between Jabal Ganifa and Jabal Gharra. It's lead by the 183rd armored battalion, which cuts off Asor road and clears Egyptian bunkers in mountainous area south of the road (NW of SAM site 5121). At the afternoon, while the 183rd battalion engages Egyptian tanks to the SE and picks two 217th armored brigade tank mechanics left near SAM site 5121, the 106th armored battalion takes the lead and advances further south, after leaving one tank company to block Asor road. The 106th battalion cuts off the Cairo - Suez railway and gains control over the Cairo - Suez road south of SAM site 5020, 101 kms from Cairo. That same area was abandoned at noon by the 217th armored brigade forces. IDF reserve 179th armored brigade (Shot Cal), which have arrived on flatbeds to Sinai on October 21st from the Golan Heights (where it fought under the 210th armored division), crosses the Suez Canal on the Cylinder Bridge and joins the 252nd armored division. The 179th brigade is ordered to cross only with its dieselized Centurions, so it leaves in Sinai 7 Shot Meteors which it has gathered during the fighting in the Golan (these belonged to either the 679th or 205th armored brigades). The 179th brigade heads SE in between Jabal Ganifa and Jabal Gharra, sends a force eastwards over Jabal Ganifa to assist the 460th armored brigade near Kasfarit airbase and parks east of SAM site 5124, at the southern foot of Jabal Ganifa. IDF 401st armored brigade stays around Vadaoot - Vitamin junction near Jabal Umm Kathib and defends the Israeli western flank, engaging Egyptian armor at long ranges. In addition, its forces captured 10 downed EAF pilots within the last 48 hours. IDF 143rd armored division (dashed blue): IDF 14th armored and 35th paratroop brigades are surprised to hear about the upcoming ceasefire and try to speed up their advance. IDF 184th armored and 424th infantry reconnaissance battalions advance and halt south of Nafisha, while the 35th brigade paratroopers are blocked by the Egyptians after crossing a bridge over the Freshwater Canal, south of Abu Atwa. 3 Israeli M60A1s, attached to the 48th paratroop battalion from the 79th armored battalion (actually these are 87th armored reconnaissance battalion remnants), are lost to a RPG salvo fired by Egyptian 133rd battalion commandos (of the 131st regiment) ambushing near the sewage treatment plant. In another engagement, an Israeli tank has to destroy an Israeli halftrack which was taken over by Egyptian troops, after the Israeli paratroopers had dismounted from it to scan through the tangled vegetation. IDF 421st armored brigade captures some hills west of its previous positions, as well as additional downed Egyptian pilots. On October 23rd the 599th armored battalion captures SAM sites 6214 and 5914. IDF 600th armored brigade slowly advances northwards and bites a bit more of Objective Missouri. IDF 214th artillery regiment is reinforced with a battery of M-46 130 mm guns, manned by men from the 873rd independent medium artillery battalion. Detached from their battalion in the Golan on October 21st, these artillerymen are flown to Fayid airbase and acquire freshly-captured ex-Egyptian guns and ammo. IDF TF Garnit (dashed blue): IDF 875th mechanized infantry brigade (reinforced with Officer School cadets) launches another battalion-scale attack on Botzer stronghold. The assault is repelled by Egyptian Saggers and tank fire. The Egyptian defenders are remnants of the 25th independent armored and 130th marine brigades. IDF TF Nammer: IDF 11th mechanized infantry brigade captures the Maror second-line post (off the map) before dawn. Covered by the 4th tank battalion, the 54th mechanized infantry battalion assaults on foot, taking only artillery fire, and finds Maror manned by only 4 Egyptians. In the morning, the 4th battalion Shermans advance further and decimate an Egyptian AT ambush. However, when the 11th brigade HQ deploys at Maror, a surprising Sagger salvo launched 2.5 kms from the northern flank takes out two Centurions (the 11th brigade gathered a few, probably ex-217th brigade vehicles) and two M113s (inorganic vehicles as well), including the brigade CO's own tank and APC. The brigade CO luckily survives unharmed, but the G3 is killed. After assisting the 11th mechanized infantry brigade with the eastern outskirts of Maror, IDF 228th armored battalion (of the 274th armored brigade) redeploys to Objective Hamadiya, replacing the M60A1 platoon that was detached from the 409th armored battalion (600th armored brigade) to defend it. This move is not shown on the map. The frontline sector held by the 274th armored brigade is now as wide as the sectors held by both the 162nd and 143rd armored divisions altogether prior to Operation Abirey Lev. IDF TF Atzloot (of the 274th armored brigade) repels an Egyptian 112th infantry brigade assault on Kathib Ayfan (the eastern dune of Objective Hamutal) and Talisman - Photon junction. This assault is not depicted on the map. TF Sela's planned operation to capture Port Fuad (off the map) is aborted. The 279th armored reconnaissance battalion rejoins the 11th mechanized infantry brigade. OTOH, despite it's equipped with Shermans, IDF 226th tank battalion is ordered to detach from the 11th mechanized infantry brigade, to cross the Suez Canal and join the 252nd armored division in Africa. Israeli artillery (175 mm and 155 mm, firing from both banks of the Suez Canal) and aircraft carry-out Operation Bendigo, destroying Egyptian 109th heavy SAM brigade sites 5029A (aka Bavli A), 4927, 4925A and 4923, as well as SAM site 5426. The airspace above the Egyptian 3rd field army is now cleared of heavy and medium SAM threat. The nearest operational Egyptian heavy SAM sites are NE of Al-Qattamyia airbase and NW of Ridan Al-Hama. As the Egyptian SAM belt keeps shrinking, IAF A-4s, F-4s and Super Mysteres carry-out more CAS sorties, mostly targeting the Egyptian 3rd field army forces in Africa. Egyptian artillery and AF keep striking the Israeli bridgehead. 12 Israelis, including the 605th crossing battalion XO, are killed in a heavy Egyptian rocket artillery barrage. OTOH, the EAF losses are so heavy that the desperate Egyptians start employing lightly-armed L-29 Delfin training aircraft in ground attack missions - literally sending everything they got. IAF Mirages keep taking a heavy toll on the attacking Egyptian aircraft. In order to warn Israel to stop the IDF advance, the Soviet MoD Grechko finally accedes the Egyptian pleas and approves the Soviet military advisors in Egypt to launch 3 Scud-B ballistic missiles at Israeli targets in the Sinai - two at the Israeli bridgehead area and one at Al-Arish AFB, where the Egyptians mistakenly believe that US cargo planes are unloading supplies. One Scud hits IDF 410th armored battalion (of the 600th armored brigade, 143rd armored division) logistics and kills 7 soldiers. One of the dead is a tanker who, after surviving the battle for Objective Missouri, was sent to the battalion's rear as he was told that his twin brother (who served in the 409th battalion of the same brigade) is MIA since the battle for Objective Hamadiya on October 9th. One month later, the twin brother's remains were recovered from his burnt M60A1, found among the dunes near Hamadiya. Soviet MiG-25s land in Cairo West AFB (where they had been deployed before, between March 1971 and April 1972) and start flying reconnaissance missions over Israeli territory. IAF F-4 jets and Hawk SAMs fail to intercept the fast, high-flying MiG-25 (and the F-15 is still only a wet dream). UN resolution calls for a ceasefire in the evening, but the Egyptians violate the ceasefire and the Israelis, who are not yet fully satisfied with their achievements, get back advancing again in order to complete the encirclement of the Egyptian 3rd field army.
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