Israel’s victory in the Six Day War, although quick, took years of planning and forethought. In fact planning for the conflict began over a decade before the first shots were ever fired. What did Israel do to prepare its army for battle? How was it so successful?
The 1956 Suez War
In 1956, only eight years after the “War of Independence”, Egypt nationalizes the British and French owned, Suez Canal, and blockades the straights of Tiran, a vital waterway for Israeli shipments. This was in violation of the treaty that ended the 1948-49 war. Together with British and French forces, Israel invades the Sinai and easily captures the Suez; however, U.S. and U.N. pressure quickly ends the war and Israeli forces pullout of the Sinai.
Egypt is forced to end its blockade and a U.N. peacekeeping force is sent to the Sinai to maintain peace. The 1956 war, however, did give Israel an interesting opportunity. Modern military thinking at the time considered most of the Sinai Desert impassable to military vehicles. While occupying the Sinai, Israeli military leaders mapped out possible routes through the Sinai the Egyptians believed would be impassable.
This information would play a critical role in Israel’s victory 11 years later. Egypt, however, remained undeterred in its ambition to destroy the Israeli state. Although there would not be another outbreak of war for another 11 years, Israel was already making plans on how to defend itself in case of attack.
Tensions Rise in the Middle East as Israel Begins Planning for War
The period between the 1956 and 1967 wars was one of relative tension between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Egypt’s president continually called for the destruction of Israel, Syrian forces continually launched artillery shells into Israel’s northern cities, and Jordan harbored and abetted Palestinian terrorists.
Israeli military leaders had to keep their troops in a high state of readiness if they wanted to Israel to survive as a nation. As early as 1964, Israeli leaders were devising plans to preemptively strike Egypt if they felt threatened. For instance, intelligence was gathered on Egyptian airfields and its air force and spies were sent to Syria to gather information on the positions of Syrian artillery pieces. The daily habits of Egyptian politicians and military planners were also studied.
Along with intelligence gathering, Israel frantically searched for sellers of military equipment, especially tanks. Eventually, Israel resorted to buying outdated, Allied WWII tanks from junkyards and from other nations’ surplus stockpiles. Rather than stick with the outdated tanks, Israel updated and refitted the tanks with updated armor and weaponry. However, Israel’s enemies were receiving state of the art tanks from Soviet Union.
Israel’s Military and its Advantage over Arab Armies
One advantage Israel did have over its adversaries was its much better trained and prepared military personnel. Israel required all of its citizens to serve at least one tour of active duty in the military. After finishing their tour of duty, Israeli citizens are also required to serve in the reserves, which can be called up in times of national emergency.
Not only that, but Israel also developed strategies to keep their troops in top fighting shape, especially for the desert warfare they were likely to face. Proper hydration during road and desert marches were a crucial part of infantry training and far surpassed that of Egypt’s military, which had not yet grasped the importance of proper hydration in high heat environments. The Israeli air force also drilled repeatedly to improve efficiency and speed.
Military planners knew that in order for Israel to win, it had to achieve air superiority, and the bold plan that led to Israel’s victory in 1967, was already being drummed into its pilot’s heads in 1965. The threat of attack was ever present for the Israeli population; however, foreign meddling and Egyptian belligerence would soon lead the Middle East into the Six Day War.
Sources:
Roberts, Sam. 1967 THE SIX-DAY WAR. New York Times Upfront, April 16, 2007, 22-25.
Battlefield Detectives: The Six Day War. The History Channel. 2005
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