In the War of Attrition
(1969 - 1970)
Egypt launched
the War of Attrition along the Suez Canal with the idea of inflicting as many Israeli casualties
as possible, thereby testing Israel's ability and determination to hold
onto its gains from the Six Day
War. The war officially began in March 1969, but hostilities had
been common along all three fronts (Egypt, Syria and Jordan)
ever since the June 1967 cease-fire. For example, terrorists continuously infiltrated into the Jordan Valley, leading to IDF helicopter-borne search operations.
The real War of Attrition, however, was with Egypt, which
pounded Israeli positions along the Canal. Lacking sufficient
numbers of cannons, Israel utilized its aircraft as flying
artillery. For the first time, modern American-made fighters took
part in the action. This development was the direct result of a
French arms embargo to the Middle East following the Six Day War.
In reality, the embargo applied only to Israel, which had
previously relied on French aircraft of all types. Now the A-4
Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom become the workhorses.
The Phantom arrived at the height of the battle and
immediately took on Egyptian air defenses along the Canal. The
Phantom's range enabled it to reach strategic targets deep inside
Egypt. Before long, Phantoms also began hammering Migs in
dogfights. The air-to-air arena took on the look of a Wild West
gunfight. Israeli and Egyptian fighters shot it out high above a
barren stretch of desert which became known as “Texas.”
The U.S.S.R. took an active role in Egypt's air defense,
providing the latest equipment along with thousands of
“advisors.” In fact, Soviet participation went far
beyond a training role. Russians operated the sophisticated
radars and surface-to-air missiles and succeeded in downing
several Israeli planes. They even flew Egyptian Migs until
Israeli Phantoms and Mirages shot down five Russian pilots,
without loss, in a massive dogfight.
IAF helicopters, such as the newly arrived Sikorsky CH-53,
took part in many daring missions. They stole a brand new Soviet
radar and flew it back to Israel. Helicopters inserted troops on
many missions in Egypt's heartland. Together with the strategic
bombing missions these deep penetrations provided the answer to
Egypt's numerical supremacy along the Canal. By revealing Egypt's
vulnerability, the IAF forced the enemy to reconsider and put an
end to the costly War of Attrition.
Capturing a New Egyptian Radar
During the War of Attrition (1969-1970), Egypt continuously
improved its air defense capability. The Soviets were eager to
reverse the poor showing of their protege and their equipment in
the '67 Six Day War. They rushed the latest military hardware to
their chief Arab client.
The P-12 early warning radar was a prime example of an
advanced Soviet system in use by the Egyptians. It was the eye
that helped the air defense network pinpoint and shoot down
Israeli fighters.
Toward the end of 1969, an IAF intelligence analyst
made a startling discovery while assessing post-strike aerial photography.
He noted that the target which had been struck was in fact a dummy radar
site. By chance, the reconnaissance film also revealed a real radar
that was located a few kilometers away. Incredibly, the true site was
unprotected — no AAA (anti-aircraft guns) could be seen anywhere
near it.
The analyst, Sergeant Rami Shalev, rushed his findings to his
commanding officer. They recommended a scheme so fantastic that
it just might work: to kidnap the new radar. A plan was
formulated and approved with lightning speed. Three Super-frelon
helicopters would first insert a paratroop force to secure the
site. Then two of the IAF's newly acquired CH-53 heavy-lift
helicopters would carry the radar vans back across the Suez
Canal.
The radar was located on a small peak which made it difficult
for the troop-laden Super-frelons to find a suitable landing site. With
the entire mission hanging
in the balance, the pilots were able to land and offload the paratroopers,
who quickly disconnected the vans and readied them for airlift.
The Sikorsky's hoist is designed to lift 2.9 tons. The radar
weighed 4.3! Immediately after lifting the vans, the lead
aircraft lost its primary hydraulic system. Command pilot
Nehemiah Dagan ignored the emergency procedure which required him
to land immediately. He crawled along at low altitude while his
flight engineer monitored the engines and reserve system all the
way to touchdown. His personal skill and daring brought this
brazen mission to a perfect ending.
Sources: Israel Defense Forces |