Six-Day War: Background & Summary

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The Battle Front
The Gaza Strip
West Bank
Reference

Introduction

This war is referred to as the Six Day War since it lasted for six days only. Other names, such as the War of 1967, the June War, 1967 Arab– Israel War, and the Third Arab-Israel war are used as well.

The war lasted from June 5, 1967 till June 10 by Israel, Egypt; then later the United Arab Republic, Jordan and Syria joined the war. It took Israel six days to win the important war for them. Israel won the war subduing the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula, both formerly under Egypt, West Bank, and East Jerusalem territories of Jordan and Global Heights of Syria.

The Battle Front

This section of the paper sheds light on skills applied to outsmart all its opponents in the war. The other element consists in the missteps made by Egypt during the war. Egypt appeared to be more concerned about cheating its allies than about Israel losing the war. Its allies, such as Jordan underrated the immense power of Israel. Egypt decided to send home their war crafts on the way to attacking Israel.

This section of the paper focuses on the operation approach that included the order of battle. Israelite fist victims were due to launching a surprise attack on the Egyptian Air Force. Israelis called this operation the Operation Focus. The attack was made during early hours, sending almost its entire combat jets in mass to raid Egypt. The initial focus was on Egypt’s medium size bombers called Badger.

Israel knew that if these bombers had been to be used by Egypt, they would have had devastating effects. Egypt became the first target because it had the most modern and sophisticated Air Force among all the Arab nations. Egypt’s warplanes were estimated to be four hundred and twenty that were all made in the USSR.

Israel’s strategy was powerful. Israel accused Egypt immediately of attacking its citizens in order to justify the war. Israel’s combat aircrafts through the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea flew very low so that the radars could not detect them. They first attacked the airfields knowing very well that they were poorly sheltered, and hence the impact of which would be great. To Israel’s advantage, Egypt blundered.

In response to attack, Egypt shut down all its air force defense systems. Its aim was to protect top military commanders, Field Marshal Abdel Amer, and Lieutenant General Mahmud, who were traveling to Sinai. Egyptian generals feared that rebel forces from the country would take the opportunity and bring down war jets.

This was a blunder in two perspectives. The Israeli war jets were flying below the level of the Egyptian radar detection. Israel would bring down the Egyptian planes. The point was that when Jordan used its powerful radar, it could get a glimpse of the war jets headed to Egypt.

When they sent the message, it could be received because Egypt had closed its air defense lines. Since these were the first attacks, it would have served to the advantage of Egypt for preparation purposes.

What captures my interest in this part of the war is the Israel’s strategy and execution that was fantastic. Several tactics were applied simultaneously. Israel bombed runways, blocking the Egyptian airlines that could have prevented the onslaught from taking place.

The bombs specially manufactured in collaboration with France destroyed the tarmac. Israel strategically left out the airfield in Arish, which was to be used for evacuation immediately. It turned it into a military airbase.

The operation was swift, tactical, and devastating to Egypt, which was taken off guard. The Egyptian Air force, as a result, was destroyed. Egypt has continued to refute the claims that the actual number of aircrafts that remained was four. The death of pilots was estimated one hundred after day one of fight; what is more, the number of deaths was calculated in the airfields only.

The destruction cut across all the air wing departments. All types of bombers, fighters, helicopters, and transport planes, which were to be used as cover-ups, were all crushed in the end. The radars and missiles were not spared from the wrath of Israelites.

When the damages caused to Israel are considered, they can justly be called Collateral damage. Two of their combat planes collided, and then crushed; one more was shot down by Israel after it appeared that it was diverting from its target.

The most successful part of the raid consisted in the fact that it there was no opposition for Israel in the air. This attack took a few hours before Israel shifted attention to other weaker opponents. To ascertain the fact that Egypt was destroyed on the first day, it must be pointed out that there were no Egyptian flights in the air (Black, 1992).

The Gaza Strip

The Israeli strategy worked to almost perfection. The total number of personnel and artillery used near the Gaza Strip for Egypt was numerous. Israel prepared in advance; it launched attacks on the ground and air simultaneously. One commander guided the attacks from two different points. The infantry advanced swiftly, taking Egyptians by surprise.

In attacking the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula, Israel had three brigades under one commander coming through Nahal and Khan Yunis. The paratroopers seizing Yunis using a single battalion reinforced the infantry within four hours. Once again, Egypt wrongly predicted, calling it a diversion strategy. Heading to Rafar, Israeli troops killed the commander.

The soldiers had to escape. Some resistance to Israel was coming from Southern Arish. Israel forces commanded by Major General Aerial Sharon faced one of the sophisticated and organized Egyptian atonements. However, the battle lasted less than half an hour.

West Bank

King Hussein of Jordan was unwilling to join the war. President Nasser misled him. When he finally joined the war, he sent eleven modern western tanks brigades and troops to West Bank and the Jordan valley. The Jordan army, which was then referred to as the Arab Legion, was well trained and equipped. Israel referred to its Hawker hunter as being equal to the best plane Israel had, which was Dassault Mirage III.

It again blundered in strategy. Israel sent eight brigades and two hundred tanks to West Bank. Jordan provoked Israel by attacking civilians and the capturing of government officials. Israel warned Jordan to keep off the war, but the King refused. The missiles were used to destroy radars and runways. By this time, the Arab nations were crumbled.

Jordan tried to match Israel in regards to the number of weapons. Most of the aircrafts were made in France, while the others used the weapons from the Soviet Union. A ceasefire was signed on 11 June 1967, one day after Israel had captured the West Bank, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strips and Global Heights. The territory had increased threefold. Israel won because of proper planning and blunders made by the Arab nations.

Reference

Black, I. (1992). Israel’s Secret Wars: A History of Israel’s Intelligence Services. New York: Grove Press.

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