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Israel regroups along the Canal. Syrians halted

By RONNIE HOPE and ZE'EV SCHUL,
Post Military Reporters
October 10, 1973

Israeli forces in Sinai yesterday abandoned some water-line fortifications along the Suez Canal and moved back to prepared defense line opposite the 3 main Egyptian bridgeheads. The move followed the arrival of newly-mobilized reserve units last night at the front bolstering the regular forces.

According the an Army communiqué heavy casualties were inflicted on the invading Egyptian forces, now concentrating at three bridgeheads in the southern and central sectors of the canal line.

The army spokesman’s summing up communiqué said that air-force planes were late last night still attacking the bridges thrown across the canal by the Egyptians. At least 9 or the 11 bridges were either destroyed or damaged and out of use. However, the possibility of the Egyptians laying new bridges or repairing the old ones was not ruled out.

The Syrian forces attacking in great strength on the Golan Heights were repulsed in most sectors. But in the evening, they still held a bulge of Israeli territory in the Hushaniya region, in the central sector, the communiqué said.

Yesterday, the IAF blasted the Syrian missile defense system in anticipation of a likely demand for increased air-to-ground support today. The Syrian Air Force has already suffered heavy losses at the IAF’s hands and although still operational yesterday virtually ’vacated the skies’ in favor of the Israeli aircraft.

On the negative side of the ledger, the Egyptian Air Force is still largely intact and so is the bulk of the Egyptian forces. But experts here remain confident that the IDF will be able to assemble its striking power and bring the campaign to a successful conclusion within a few days. The IAF and Navy enjoy unchallenged supremacy which would be instrumental in speeding up the final phase of the hostilities.

JPost Features AMOTZ ASA-EL: The big one The Yom Kippur War: The epic confrontation that transformed the Middle East ABRAHAM RABINOVICH: The height of hutzpa MOTTI ASHKENAZI: Just a scared soldier MEIR RONNEN: 'Sic transit gloria' YEHEZKEL DROR: Re-engineering history MARTIN VAN CREVELD: The last conventional war YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI: War and atonement HAIM SABATO: Days of Awe PINCHAS LANDAU: The rise and fall of oil From JPost Archives 7.10.1973 - Egyptian-Syrian attacks held 10.10.1973 - Israel regroups along the Canal. Syrians halted 9.10.1973 - Israel takes offensive, bitter battles raging. Syrian armored units bid to counter-attack 9.10.1973 - Many Syrians said fleeing on foot 9.10.1973 - 13-tank Yuval tells his story 9.10.1973 - Wounded tell of battle in Sinai 9.10.1973 - Yariv: No rapid conquest; Bar-Lev line is evacuated 14.10.1973 - Thrust into Syria widens over 21-kilometer front 14.10.1973 - Last Israeli strongpoint surrenders 15.10.1973 - 656 Israelis killed in eight days of war 15.10.1973 - Egyptian forces lose 200 tanks; drive on Damascus continues. Israelis beat back Egyptians 15.10.1973 - Arabs won't accept cease-fire: Decisive battle ahead - Dayan 17.10.1973 - Israel task force crosses Canal. Syria loses 105 tanks, 10 planes 17.10.1973 - Anti-aircraft missile batteries destroyed 19.10.1973 - Heavy Egyptian tank and plane losses as counter-attack fails 21.10.1973 - Israel forces widen Canal Bridge-Head 22.10.1973 - Israel expands bridgehead, downs 32 enemy aircraft 23.10.1973 - Shooting continues at Canal despite Israel-Egypt cease-fire 26.10.1973 - Emerged from great danger, Golda says 28.10.1973 - Israel, Egypt agree to meet on supplies for 3rd army, truce Non-military convoy to be sent 4.11.1973 - Government to probe questions about war, Bar-Lev believes 13.11.1973 - Sharon tells how he crossed the Canal 25.09.1998 - Shattered Heights: Part 1 25.09.1998 - A sober look at how the war was won 25.09.1998 - A victory remembered as a defeat 27.09.1998 - History may repeat itself 29.09.1998 - EDITORIAL: The watershed war 29.09.1998 - Two wars in one, vividly relived 2.10.1998 - Shattered Heights: Part 2 7.10.1998 - Egypt marks anniversary of Yom Kippur War 9.10.1998 - A Diary from Hell 11.10.1989 - Memorial service marks 16 years since Yom Kippur War 14.09.1994 - Another fiasco like 1973? 17.09.1999 - War and Lack of Inner Peace 11.10. 2000 - Barak preaches unity sermon to families of fallen 28.09. 2001 Debunking a myth: Dayan never feared Israel's 1.10. 2001 - Security checks delay start of Yom Kippur War memorial ------------------------------------------------------ [ Click Here to Start the Photo Tour ] ------------------------------------------------------