|
|
Forums - Research / Post-WW2 |
This Post WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to any time after WW2 (1945+) subjects. |
| Topics | 1421 |
| Messages | 5119 |
|
|
| Subject: | Re: Who won Yom Kippur War?? |  |
| Date: | Oct 29, 2005 |
| From: | Curtis Jurrens | |
And don't forget the considerable number of F-4 Phantom tactical fighters delivered direct from USAF units in Europe to the Isreali AF to replace severe losses among Isreali units to Arab SAMs. I know this is an armor site, but anyone would have to acknowledge that eventual Isreali air superiority allowed for its ground forces military victories.
From a strictly military standpoint, I'd have to say that Isreal won the war, despite a very high cost in men and material, by coming back from the brink of disaster to launch very successful counterattacks on all fronts. That there is any debate as to "who won" probably stems from the fact that--to this day--virtually no Egyptians and few Arabs know (let alone admit to knowing) that virtually the entire Egyptian army was cut off, surrounded, and poised to be wiped out (think Falaise pocket without an escape route, or the Kuwaiti "highway of death") when the cease-fire ended the conflict.
From a long-term diplomatic standpoint, you could probably argue either side. I'd probably say it that my own longterm view is that Isreal "won" here too, because the end of the war eventually lead to official recognition of Isreal by Egypt and the associated peace accords. This gave the Isrealis some breathing room on their western border by largely removing Egypt as a threat to Isreal's existence, despite the loss of the Sinai territories. Yes, Egypt got the Sinai back, but it came after a military defeat and being forced to acknowledge Isreal's existence, which caused a significant loss of face and basically ended Egypt's quest to be the leaders of the Arab world.
My $.02 +/-
Curtis |
| |
|
|
|
