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Six Day War

Six Day War

I am watching a documentary about the six day war where Israel defeated an invasion by Arab nations in just six days. How did they win? This is the Discussion, but innvolved several things:

1. Fantastic intelligence
2. Preemptive strikes
3. Air superiority which took out enemy Arab planes in preemptive strikes
4. Attacking tank divisions by using knowledge of the terrain.

War Day Six

As you pointed out there are a number of reasons that Israel soundly defeated the combined Arab forces.

As stated by JB, the preemptive attack on the Egypt's air force helped Israel immensely.

Other factors not mentioned

Troop Quality: The Israeli's had a well trained, highly disciplined, well equipped, and highly motivated army. Morale was very high for the Israeli troops. The Arab forces had a mostly conscript army with inadequate training, decent equipment, lacking discipline, and dwindling morale. To make matters worse for Arab forces, their own allies were feeding them false information and this contributed to the dwindling morale and coordination issues.
Result: Israel had a far better army.

Weapons: Israel used light, mobile tanks that had a decent punch. For the terrain of the middle east these worked very well. Arab forces were using mostly heavy tanks that had a powerful punch but were slow, very heavy, and not particularly maneuverable.
Result: Israel could outmaneuver Arab forces in the field.

Intel: Israel had accurate, up to date intel on Arab movements. In contrast, Arab forces were given wildly inaccurate info on Israeli combat losses to entice countries to join the war. This caused a few unpleasant suprises for the Arabs.
Result: Israel could react quickly and decisively to Arab movements as they occurred.

Air Power: Same as the troop quality, Israeli pilots had more and better training. Air superiority was gained in the preemptive strike on the Egyptian air force and subsequent air losses of the other Arab countries largely due to Egypt falsely informing their allies of the near destruction of the Israeli air force.
Result: The IAF gaining air supremacy.

The end analysis is that although the Arab forces heavily outnumbered the Israelis, Israel won the war through superior troops, training, morale, intelligence, and doctrine. The Arabs never really stood a chance then or now.

Six Day War History & Civil Business Politics

The key here is preemptive strikes, were it not for that Israel may not have had the upper hand. What does this mean for the future? If Israel sees any threat of attack they will respond first, as they currently do (This is covered more in depth in another Thread). I guess you have no choice when you are surrounded by enemies on all borders.

On another note the greatest casualties on the Israeli side came from the fighting with Syria and it happened because of a simple blunder: while the tanks were going up the mountainous valley that leads to Syria they made a wrong turn. After that they still won although I think a large number of their tanks were destroyed.

War Day Six

Clashes as Israelis mark East Jerusalem occupation day:

Four Palestinians arrested as Israeli hardliners march in the Muslim Quarte to mark East Jerusalem occupation in 1967. Ref. Source 9