The Saga of OZ 77 in the Arab-Israeli War of 1973: A Small Armor Unit's Fight in a Large-Scale Combat Operation

摘要

The Arab-Israeli War of 1973, otherwise known as the Yom Kippur War, began Oct. 6 with surprise attacks by Egypt and Syria on the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights, respectively. Israel's survival hinged on the outcome of its fight with Syria. The ensuing four-day fight was the largest tank battle since World War II. It was not a fight between divisions or brigades separated by long ranges; for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), it was a series of short-range engagements fought by small units and, at times, individual tanks. IDF commanders operated largely on their situational awareness rather than strict adherence to their superiors' plans. With Israel facing an immediate and perilous threat, the IDF's culture allowed for the maximum degree of freedom of action and command initiative."