1973 Arab-Israeli conflict: The Truth once and for all
They Said about the War
Introduction
The October 1973 War, a radical turning-point in the course of Arab-Israeli conflict, has evoked interest by
military leaders, strategists, research and study centers and media around the world. This is due to the fact that
this war had had far-reaching repercussions and impact on the Middle East region, not only on the military and
strategic level but also on the overall political and economic life of the world as a whole. Statements by
contemporary witnesses to the war are the most truthful historical accounts, documenting facts and impartially and
objectively assessing results of the war. Such testimonies should be particularly true, when they are made by major
strategists and military experts around the world let alone those witnesses from the other side. After the lapse of
a quarter a century, it might be beneficial to review these testimonies in order to learn lessons from the October
1973 War.
Israeli Testimonies
Reporting Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister during October War:
The Egyptians crossed the canal and hit hard our forces in Sinai. The Syrians pushed deep into the Golan Heights. We
incurred grave losses on both fronts. The agonizing question at that time was should we or should we not inform the
nation of the truth about the bad situation?!.
In writing on the Yom Kippur War (October war) - not as a military report- but as a close-by disaster or a horrible
nightmare that I myself have suffered from and will continue to haunt me throughout my life.
Reporting Moshe Dayan, Israeli Defense Minister during October War:
The war has shown that we were no stronger than the Egyptians. The halo of supremacy and the political and military
premise that Israel is stronger than the Arabs; that they would be defeated should they dare to start war did not
hold true. It was theory that it would take them the whole night to erect bridges, which we could prevent, using our
armored vehicles. But it turned out that it was not easy to prevent them. Our exercise to send tanks to the battle
front was very costly. We have never expected that.
(Press Conference, October 9, 1973)
The October War was an earthquake that hit Israel. What happened in this war has removed dust off our eyes,
revealing to us what we could not see before. All this led to a change in the mentality of Israeli leaders.
(Statements by Dayan, December 1973)
Reporting Aba Eban, Israeli Foreign Minister during October War:
Many changes have taken place since October 6,1973. We should, therefore, not overestimate Israel military
supremacy. On the contrary, there is now an overwhelming sense in Israel of the need to review national rhetoric. We
have to keep away from hyperboles and be more realistic. (November 1973)
Reporting Aharon Yarev, Former Director of Israeli Intelligence:
Undoubtedly, the Arabs came out of the war victorious, while we, in terms of image and feeling, came out torn out
and weak. When asked if he won the war, Sadat replied, "Look at what is going on in Israel after the war and you
will know the answer to this question".
(Symposium on October War, Jerusalem,September 16, 1974)
Reporting Haim Hertzog, Former Head of the State of Israel:
The October war ended up in a major shock to all Israelis. Moshe Dayan is no longer the same man before. Since then
he has been bent on himself. He has always had the conviction that he would not and could not afford to attack. Even
amidst Egyptian infiltration, Dayan did not admit his miscalculations.
He turned into a sort of a Hamlet, torn out by suspicion, reluctance, and inability to take decision or impose his
will. That was the beginning of fall for labour governments which has ruled Israel for 25 years until then.
Similarly the war has caused conceptual changes in the mentality of Israeli leadership, who started looking for a
new approach and a realistic policy of dealing with the problem through political solutions.
(From the Memoirs of Haim Hertzog)
Before October 6, we used to talk too much, this was one of our problems. While the Egyptians learned how to fight,
we learned how to talk. They were patient and their statements were more realistic than ours. They were telling and
announcing facts so fully that the external world seemed to trust their statements.
(Comments by Hertzog, November 1973)
Reporting Nahom Goldman , Former Head of Jewish Agency:
One of the most significant results of October 1973 War was that it put an end to the myth of an invincible Israel
and its progressive supremacy over the Arabs.This also cost Israel a high price; about $ 5 billion. It caused a
radical change to the economic position of the Jewish Agency, which dropped from a state of boom experienced a year
earlier (albeit not firmly grounded as it seemed) to an extremely deep, and ever more intensive and serious crisis.
The most serious result was that which affected the psychological side.
Gone was the Israelis' confidence in their sustained supremacy. Their internal morale was tremendously weakened,
which is the most serious thing that can face a nation, particularly Israel. This weakness was embodied into two
contradictory forms, which led to an extremely serious polarization of Israel. On the one hand, there were some
people who began to question the future of Israel. On the other, increasing fanaticism and hard-line trends were
visible, leading to what was called "Massada Complex".
The citadel, where the Jews took refuge during the Jewish rebellion movement against the Roman Empire, but never
surrendered and all died).
Reporting "Whereto Israel"
Reporting Israeli General Ishio Javitch:
If we assess achievements against targets, we will find out that the Arabs' victory was more decisive. I should
admit that the Arabs have achieved a very large part of their objectives. They proved capable of surmounting the
fear barrier; got into war and fought efficiently. They also proved capable of forcing their way into the Suez Canal
barrier. For Israel, the war ultimately ended without being able to break up Arab armies. We scored no victories. We
could not back the Egyptian nor the Syrian army. Nor could we succeed in restoring the deterrent power to the
Israeli army. To our great sorrow, they snatched the canal out of our grips with the force of arms.
(Symposium on October War, Jerusalem, September 16, 1974)
Reporting Amnon Kapelock, Israeli Military Commentator:
The English proverb says, "The higher the rise the more severe is the fall". On October 6, Israel fell off the top
of the tower of peace and tranquility it had built up for itself.
The shock was as strong and impressive as prior illusions. It seemed as though the Israelis had waked up from a
lengthy, sweet dream to see a long lists of self-evident truth, and indisputable principles, illusions and facts
they had believed in for several years, shaken and sometimes shattered down by a new, unexpected fact,
ununderstandable to most Israelis.
From the perspective of a plain Israeli, the October War can have more than one name such as; war of recovery from a hangover , collapse of legends , end of illusions , a death of sacred heifers .
Following prior wars, prestigious military parades were often conducted in the Independence Day, where the public
viewed war booty captured from the enemy. On the contrary, this time a large exhibition was made in Cairo, two
months after the war, where the public viewed tanks, guns, military vehicles and many Israeli weapons captured from the enemy during the war.
On prior occasions, soldiers returned home in a flurry of happiness and pride. However, this time, returning
soldiers were gripped with sadness and consternation. Many had to frequent the psychiatric section of the Army's
Medical Department, for treatment from "combat shock".
"Israel: End of a Myth"
Reporting Zaev Schev, Israeli Military Commentator:
This is the first war for the Israeli army, where many soldiers suffering combat shock and needing psychiatric
treatment were treated. Some of them forgot their own names and had to refer to hospitals.
Israel was stunned by the Arabs' success in waging a surprise war on Yum Kippur and scoring military successes.
This war has proved that Israel has to reassess the Arab warrior. This time, Israel has paid a very high price.
The October War has shaken Israel from top to bottom. Instead of overconfidence, suspicions emerged and questions surfaced to the top; should we live for ever on our own devastation? Could we possible stand any other wars?!
"The October Earthquake: Yum Kippur War"
Reporting Israeli Professor Shimon Shamir:
I can list for the Arabs five important achievements:
First: They managed to affect a change in the US political strategy that was unfavour to Israel.
Second: They succeeded in making the military option happen, thus imposing such efforts on Israel that overburdened its resources and economy.
Third: They managed to achieve a high level of Arab cooperation in both the military and economic fields,
particularly as they restored to the oil weapon in October.
Fourth: Egypt could regain the power of free manoeuvring among major powers, which it lost ten years ago.
Fifth: The Arabs could change their own image; freeing themselves from the 1967 shock, and becoming more capable of hard work.
(Symposium on October War, Jerusalem, September 16,1974)
Reporting Yussi Belin, Member of the Knesset and Labour Party Leader:
The tension that prevailed in the Labor Party in 1973 had crippled the Party, making it unable to take a decision to
enter into peace negotiations with the Arabs. This led to the failure of Junnar Jaring's mission of mediation
between Egypt and Israel. The result was the outbreak of the Yum Kippur War (October) the end of tenure by the Lbour Party and consequently a Right-Left equivalence of power, which has until now characterized Israel's political
system. Unless an independent leader will have emerged in Israel up to May 4, 1999 ( the date set for declaring a
Palestinian State), it would be difficult to prevent the coming disaster from taking place ( following the October
1973 and Intifada 1987 disasters).
Testimonies by International Experts
Reporting American military historian Trevor Dubuoy, Chairman, Hero Foundation for Scientific Assessment of Historical Battles:
As a result of honorable fighting waged by both Egyptian and Syrian armies, the Arabs restored their own pride and
self-confidence, which led to the reinforcement of Arab influence on the international arena in general.
Strategically and politically speaking, there is no doubt that Egypt has won the war.
With the professional planning and performance whereby the crossing process was accomplished, no other army in the world could have done better. This precise work on the part of the general staff, particularly the element of
surprise already achieved, resulted in remarkable success in crossing the Suez Canal on a wide front.
The Israel Intelligence categorically failed, as military intelligence activity concentrated on antagonist
capabilities, being out of reckoning. Miscalculation of Arab capabilities gave rise to misconceptions of Arab
intentions.
On the other hand, greater credit should be given to Arab security and confidentiality, whereby facts were
adequately screened to re-affirm prior Israeli misconceptions.
While the Egyptians waged maritime war essentially through a strategic approach, the Israeli waged it through a
tactical one. The Egyptian had imposed a successful siege on shipping traffic to Ilat sea-port by closing down Bab
al-Mandab Strait. Their Mediterranean siege seemed to prevent neutral and Israeli ships from approaching the Israeli
coast. On the southern front, Israeli attempts to destroy Egyptian air bases in the Nile Delta categorically failed
thanks to the effective Egyptian air defense.
The Israeli also decided to attempt seizure of the city of Suez. Although their tanks infiltrated into the heart of
the city, yet resistance was so severe that they had pull back after being inflicted with heavy losses.
(International Symposium on October War, Cairo, October 27-31, 1975)
Reporting British military historian Edger O'Balance:
For Israel, the October War has caused an "all-out" change in strategy. It was forcefully ejected from an offensive
to a defensive position. Since its inception, Israel has adopted an offensive military position. The Israeli general
staff have never cared to contemplate a defensive position.
The Israeli soldier has realized that defense is now vital for his own survival. Conventional defense, which Israel
had, for long before the war, vaingloriously looked upon, became acceptable as a military necessity for the
protection of Israeli borders.
After the marvelous military operations achieved by the old Islamic conquests and the Crusades, the prestige of the
Arab soldier has continually diminished in western eyes, due to varying reasons beyond his control. In this context,
Israel has intensified its publicity, until it was surprised in the October 1973 War with Arab soldiers shattering
their fetters, defeating Israelis, capturing hundreds of them, downing hundreds of their craft, destroying hundreds
of their tanks. In a nutshell, Arab soldiers shattered the myth of invincible Israeli supremacy. What holds true for
the Arabs in Napoleon's saying, "The ratio of marble to military equipment is three to one"
(Ibid)
Reporting General Varar Huckly, Combat Development Director, British Army:
The lessons learned from October War relate to personnel and their capabilities more than the machinery they
operate. The impressive achievement made by the Egyptians is the genius and skills of leaders and officers who were trained and waged such an offensive that came as a total surprise to the other party, albeit effected within its
sight. As a complement, the soldiers demonstrated such high morale and audacity that would have been, in the past, impossible.
(Ibid)
Reporting French General Albert Merglain:
All military experts and political officials were confident that Arabs would never succeed in taking the Israeli
army by surprise. Contrary to what happened in October War, justifying evidence were many and varied. First, there
was extreme confidence in Israeli intelligence services, which were said to be some of the best in the world,
particularly as it was known to all that the American special agencies were closely related to them.
US reconnaissance planes and satellites could shoot all the depth of Arab rear area. Such favourable conditions for
monitoring antagonist fronts combined could hardly exist. Therefore, the element of surprise was excluded,
particularly, as the man-made barrier of the Suez Canal protects the Israeli front line and allows easy and
effective resistance. The Arab surprise came at 2 p.m. on October 6, 1973. Contrary to negative assertions by all
politicians, military experts, pressmen and specialists everywhere, the unexpected took place.
(Ibid)
Reporting French writer Jean-Claud Jipoux:
Did Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat conceive, as he sent out his tanks and soldiers to cross the Suez Canal on
October 6, that he was releasing an overwhelming, horrible power that could change such world?! Nothing, from
Europe to America, from Africa to Asia remained the same since the Yum kippur War. Something even deeper has
turned upside down in the relationship that existed between the industrialized world and its old colonies.
Painful Days in Israel
Reporting British Journalist David Hurst:
The October War was an earthquake. For the first time in the history of Zionism, the Arabs tried and succeeded in
imposing by the force of arm a fait accompli.
The set-back was not merely military, but it also affected all psychological, diplomatic and economic elements
making up the power and vitality of a nation. The Israelis paid a high price for merely maintaining a state of
equivalence with their attackers. Within three weeks, they lost, according to official figures, 2,523 personnel; a
loss, which, in proportionate terms is two and half times US loss in the Vietnam war over ten years. Following prior
Israeli- Arab wars, a deluge of high-quality paper, pictorial books were published to commemorate victory. But this
time, the first book published in Israel was entitled Al Mihdal (Negligence). In 1967, Israeli generals lectured
their admiring audience on their various expeditions. However, as soon as the October War started they started
exchanging accusations and the severest insults both on local and world media. Bereaved mothers and widows later
accosted Moshe Dayan, the fallen deity with shouts branding him cut-throat. Prior wars were followed by impressive
military parades marking the Independence Day, but this time, nothing of this sort was made. Conversely, the
Israelis soon came to know that a large exhibition of booties was opened in Cairo. For the first time, the Israelis
saw on Arab televisions the shameful sight of their prisons of war with their drooping heads.
The Gun and Olive Branch
World Media and Press Reports
As the Egyptian army crossed the Suez Canal, cutting through the Bar lev-line, the October war changed the course of history both for Egypt and the entire Middle East.
(Daily Telegraph October 7, 1973)
The image of the Arab fighter in the aftermath of 1967 War as presented by world press was totally negative, giving
the impression that a successful military confrontation on the part of the Arab fighter was impossible due to
Israel's military strength.
Accordingly, one can understand the extent of change occurring after the Arab fighter has proved his presence and
capabilities and how the world press has conveyed such change to world public opinion.
(The Times, October 7, 1973)
The Egyptians and Syrians are demonstrating high efficiency, organization and courage. The Arabs have scored a
psychological victory that will have its psychological impact. The retention by the Egyptian of the east bank of the
canal is a tremendous, unprecedented victory, whereby Israeli illusions that the Arabs were unfit for war have been
shattered.
( Washington Post, October 10, 1973 )
Last week was one of chastisement and torture for Israel. Obviously, Arab armies are fighting with strength, courage and determination.
The Israelis were grouped with sadness and depression as they found out that the war cost them heavily and that the Egyptians and Syrians were not, as they had been told, unable to fight.
(Financial Times, October 11, 1973)
Obviously, the Arabs are fighting with unparalleled valour. Definitely, their fierce fighting had a considerable
role in their victories. At the same time, the Israelis were generally afflicted by a feeling of depression upon
their agonizing discovery -which cost them a lot- that the Egyptians and Syrians were not, in reality, helpless
soldiers. There were indications that the Israelis were retreating all through in front of the progressing Egyptian
and Syrian faces.
( The Times, October 11, 1973)
It was quite clear that the Israelis had lost initiative in this war. This was admitted by their leaders, including
General Shlomo Jonin, commander of southern front in Sinai, who said, "this is the most difficult war fought by
Israel since its inception in 1948"
(Sun, October 12, 1973)
The secure borders theory adopted for expansionist purposes by Israel since its inception up till now has been
totally shattered. Israel military mentality must change in the light of October War. This time a psychological myth
has been shattered. Israel should, from now on, give up the notion that its security can be realized by merely
occupying land.
( Daily Telegraph, October 12, 1973)
This war has eliminated the feeling of humiliation for the Arab and injured Israel's pride
(Daily Mail, October 12, 1973)
The Egyptian and Syrian troops caught the Israeli leadership stark naked. It was only after three days that the
Israeli leadership could mobilize adequate reserve troop to address the situation. The Israeli public opinion was
sleeping on the conviction that its intelligence services were the most efficient, its army the strongest. Now the
public opinion in Israel wants to know what happened and why. The question circulated by everybody in Tel-Aviv now is why the Israeli leadership had not been aware before hand of Egypt and Syria's plans?
(United Press Agency correspondent from Tel-Aviv, October 12, 1973)
The October War has shattered the security borders theory as understood by Tel-Aviv rulers. The war has proved that Israel's security cannot be guaranteed by tanks and missiles but rather by a peaceful, equitable settlement agreed by the Arab states.
(L'Humanite, October 17, 1973)
The Arabs are waging an equitable struggle. The Arabs are fighting in defense of their rights. If one fights in
defense of his land against an aggressor, he is waging a war of liberation. But to fight in order to continue to
occupy others' land is blatant aggression.
(Zeitung of German Democratic Republic, October 19, 1973)
Egypt has caught up with and even outstripped Israel in the field of missiles and electronics.
(The Observer, October 20, 1973)
The Israelis have faced a foe that was far ahead of it in everything, prepared for an extended war of attrition.
Israel has at the same time faced a foe with better training and more skilled leadership.
(Associated Press, October 20, 1973)
Today, a feeling of sadness and depression prevails in Israel. The number of prisoners of war returning from Egypt
was more than expected. This means that many lost their lives.
(Jewish Chronicle, Britain, November 23, 1973)
Israeli soldiers fled breathless from the Bar-lev line, with soiled bodies and pale faces. Flocks of them fled the
hell opened against them by the sweeping Egyptian onslaught.
(Anna Bella (Italy) October 30,1973 )
Before the October War, the country was pervaded by wrong feelings; the feeling of our hawks of overwhelming
military supremacy. Such conviction has led them into a military reassurance purporting that: "We'll cut them into
pieces, should they dare to snap a finger at us.
(Al Hamishmar, Israeli Newspaper, October 29, 1973)
Al Ferdan east of the Suez Canal was the first site captured by the Egyptian troops. Then, the Egyptian scored their
greatest victories, restoring their land since the first day. Their faces showed signs of pride and victory along
the Bar-Lev line, which fell apart in front of them. Thus irreversibly gone was the Israeli Bar-Lev line.
(The Times, October 31, 1973)
The October War has brought about a concept, apparently unknown to us before; the war-stressed, i.e. those who
suffer psychological shock, now dispersed at hospitals and convalescence houses, being treated from the impact of
ferocious war. For the first time in their lifetime, Israeli soldier has known the experience of siege and isolation
during the fight, the disgrace of capture and fear of ammunition running out.
(Haarts, November 2, 1973)
General Yshac Rabin announced that his country had military plans to face all probabilities, including the
occupation of the North Pole. But it seems that the sweeping Egyptian onslaught at mid-day October 6, 1973, had not been among Israeli probabilities. They, therefore, paid heavily for it.
(Der Spiegel, (German Magazine), November 5, 1973)
Up to the date of cease-fire on the Sinai front we had not caused injury to the Egyptian army. Definitely, even
failing the cease-fire, we would not be able to stop or destroy the Egyptian army. Thus, it can be said that during
our fourth war with the Arab, we have realized nothing.
(Haarts, November 18, 1973)
The Egyptian navy during the October War outstripped the Israeli navy, particularly in the field of missiles.
(Defense Nationale (French Magazine), November 8, 1973)
The negligence committed in the Yum Kippur War led to the rise of a protest movement led by an Ishiknazi citizen,
calling for investigating causes of the defeat of Israeli army in the war. These investigations led to the fall of
officials responsible for such negligence. Following the assassination of former premier Yshaac Rabin, a new
movement called Peace Generation emerged. This new movement led by Tal Zilberstein calls for the continuation of the peace process with Palestinians.
Both movements are in agreement on the prediction that a revolution, which will erupt from the heart of Israel
street, is in the way.
(Maaref, Israeli Newspaper, September 20, 1998)
The alarm risen sounded at 1.50 p.m. October 6, 1973, in its own connotation, was more than a mere alarm cautioning Israeli citizens to come down to underground shelters. It was rather the outcry reiterated upon burial of the dead. At that time the deceased was the first Israeli republic. When the war was over, the count was restarted and a new history began. After a quarter century from the rise of the State of Israel the pillars and underpinnings of old Israel were turned into a wreckage stranded on road side.
http://www.sis.gov.eg/newvr/october/english/4.htm
The things Israelis won't tell you, simply cause their government did not want them to know especially after the "Unstoppable army" myth:
1- Israel was running low on oil, cause Elat's harbor was the only harbor in Israel than can receive oil tankers,
and it was blocked with the start of the war.
2- Israeli forces were in a desperate situation, they concentrated themselves in a pocket with Egyptian forces all
around them, they threatened in the news all over the world to annihilate 3rd army (20,000 out of 80,000 fighting
soldiers, 320,000 available fighting forces & 800,000 total army), while in reality their forces were the ones going
to be annihilated, that's why Israel accepted cease fire in the first place, they could not afford our counter
attack.
3- They claim they could have marched to Cairo, but that is wrong, the 101 km sign is only 10 to 15 km from the Suez
canal, they could not have marched to Cairo, cause they would have to face the reserve armored forces, besides their
supply lines were stretched for a long distance.
4- Most Fighters lost to Israeli air force were reported by its pilots that they were hit by a SAM (Surface Air
Missle), in reality many of those were brought down in dog fighting with Egyptian Air force, they were just too
embarrassed to admit it, cause they were proud of being Kings of the sky. --> check the Egyptian Air Force link in
the sources.
5- Most of them know nothing about Elmansora air battle, the one which they lost 17 plane in.
6- The US provided Israel with information about the gap, they did not know about it, till an american plane spotted
it.
7- Yes, Israel transported food & water to the encircled 3rd army (How could they surround it when its main forces
were on the east side of the canal?), that came through the UN from Egyptian supplies, they (Usraelis) were also
running low on supplies and they played the man in between.. to get some for themselves too!!!
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_S...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Battle_...
Kissinger's conversation with Mier -->
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB98/octwar-54.pdf
Elsadat peace plan -->
http://newsocietyjournal.com/2008/07/09/did-golda-meir-cause-the-“yom-kippur-war”/
Egyptian Air Force -->
http://www.testpilot.ru/review/war/egipet.htm
After what is clearly stated in these testimonies from both Usraelis and non Usraelis, only the blind or analphabets will still believe that Arabs lose wars, as the riddled with malice title of this thread implies.. Actually the 1973 war has changed the world. one likes it or not
