The Six Day War - Page 2 - Historum

Abracadabra123 · May 6th, 2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ak84

Its pretty much been conclusively proved that Nasser did not expect war and nither did the Egyptian general staff, the two divisions sent to the Sinai were hardly a threat and the Egyptian airforce had not been dispersed.

Can you show me where that was proven? Basically, with the actions taken by Nasser and the other Egyptians, they could expect Israel to be a little edgy and ready for war. In fact, Nasser even said "Or basic objective will be the destruction of Israel".

**AlpinLuke** · May 6th, 2012, 10:34 PM

Egyptian expected a war when they closed Suez to Israeli vessels, in some weeks for sure, perhaps not in some days, but they expected it.

yakmatt · May 7th, 2012, 03:59 AM

Was there a difference in tactics used, NATO for Israel and USSR for the arab states?

**dagul** · May 7th, 2012, 04:17 AM

^I think surely there were military tactics that were used by Israel and Egypt that were from the West and the East block, and those were their possible strategy in case of face off since that was fought during the height of the Cold War.

Credit should be given however to the Israelis for the awesome use of air power and exploitation of the weakness of the Egyptians who failed to represent the fighting style of the Soviets. Anyhow, that was one of the laboratories of the Cold War.

**AlpinLuke** · May 7th, 2012, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakmatt

Was there a difference in tactics used, NATO for Israel and USSR for the arab states?

Fundamental differences.

USSR still followed the doctrine of the mass usage of tanks in the offensive phase [air force was to support them] and the coordinated usage of tanks and air force in the defensive phase.

The Soviet anti air strategy was good and effective ... in Soviet Union, not abroad. Because they based also it on the number of the devices and on the enormous airspace enemy airplanes had to pass through to reach targets on Soviet soil, not exactly on their quality.

Later USSR developed very effective AA missiles systems [the S-xxx series]. The Iraqi Army showed similar limits during the defensive phase in occasion of the first Gulf War.

On the other hand, Israel, since the beginning of its modern history has been well aware of the little strategical depth of the country and the necessity to be quick and effective in both the phases [defensive and offensive].

spectre · May 7th, 2012, 10:09 AM

In about 4 hours the Israeli Air Force destroyed most of the warplanes of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Most of them caught on the ground. Israel also disabled 18 airfields in the Sinai. With these airstrikes, Israel achieved air superiority, over a vastly numerical force, for the duration of the war.

Abracadabra123 · May 7th, 2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectre

In about 4 hours the Israeli Air Force destroyed most of the warplanes of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Most of them caught on the ground. Israel also disabled 18 airfields in the Sinai. With these airstrikes, Israel achieved air superiority, over a vastly numerical force, for the duration of the war.

Thus demonstrating Israel's strategic superiority

Gordyman · May 7th, 2012, 10:00 PM

To any Arabs/Muslims on here: How did you not expect an attack from Israel if Egypt was massing troops along the border (which in and of itself is an act of war), Nasser was making speeches calling for the destruction of Israel, and blocked the Suez Canal from Israeli passage (another act of war)?

**AlpinLuke** · May 7th, 2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abracadabra123

Thus demonstrating Israel's strategic superiority

Well, also tactical superiority, considering the conduction of the single actions in that really brief war ...

**dagul** · May 8th, 2012, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordyman

To any Arabs/Muslims on here: How did you not expect an attack from Israel if Egypt was massing troops along the border (which in and of itself is an act of war), Nasser was making speeches calling for the destruction of Israel, and blocked the Suez Canal from Israeli passage (another act of war)?

Those are the justifications that is recognized in international law as valid exercise of force to another country that threatens the other and pose violence, thus the sovereignty of another state is disregarded in the process of exercising the rights, like what Israel did when it attacked Egypt. The UN did not find that act of Israel illegal.