Battle of Chinese Farm 1973

Israeli Briefing

by Tom Harris

HQ, 163rd Armored Division 0300, 17 October, 1973
TO: Colonel "Gaball Amir, CO 460th Armored Brigade

1. SITUATION

On the night of October 15-16, 1973, our forces launched a counterattack against the Egyptian 2nd Army in the area of the agricultural research station known as Chinese Farm. The attack was spearheaded by Ariel Sharon's 143rd Armored Division, which was tasked with seizing corridor to the Suez Canal, as well as a crossing point. Our division was to have then exploited down the open corridor, crossed the Canal, and turned loose in the rear area of the Egyptian Army,

In the first night Sharon succeeded in bypassing most of the Egyptian defensive positions, and managed to place a reinforced parachute brigade across the Suez Canal on enemy soil. Throughout that night, however, strong counterattacks by the Egyptian 16th Infantry and 21st Armored Divisions decimated Sharon's tank brigades. In addition, Sharon concentrated his remaining forces at the crossing point, and has ferried much of his remaining strength across the Suez Canal, and in essence abandoning the corridor.

When we arrived in the area yesterday morning (the 16th) we soon found ourselves involved in heavy confused fighting all along the length of the vital supply roads (code named "Tirtur" and "Akavish"), instead of passing though on our way to the crossing site. We have been engaged for the last 24 hours in costly fighting doing Sharon's work, but Egyptian resistance seems to be crumbling at last. Akavish road is clear for the most part, but Tirtur is still swept by enemy fire.

2. OPPOSING FORCES

The Chinese Farm and fortified hill area to the north is held by the Egyptian 16th Infantry Division, and the 21st Armored Division. The actual Chinese Farm position is held by the 16th Infantry Brigade of the 16th Infantry Division. Most of the Egyptian armor was destroyed in yesterdays actions, with the remnants falling back to the north to regroup. 16th Infantry Brigade is rated as being at half strength.

3. FRIENDLY FORCES

The 163rd Armored Division's 600th Armored Brigade, along with elements of the 35th Parachute Brigade, and Divisional Headquarters, are at the Kishuf strongpoint east of Chinese Farm. The 460th Armored Brigade is at the Akavish-Lexicon road junction to the south of the Chinese Farm. The divisional 163rd Recon Battalion is at Khamsa Station to the north of the 460th. The 247th Armored Brigade (attached from Sharon's 143rd Armored Division is at the Televisia strongpoint northeast of Chinese Farm. Divisional artillery is emplaced near Kishuf.

4. MISSION

The 163rd Armored Division will crush Egyptian resistance in the Chinese Farm area by means of concentric attacks by all three armored brigades.

The 460th Armored Brigade is tasked with closing up with the Divisional Recon Battalion at Kham a Station, and then sweeping north to attack the Egyptian positions to the north. The 460th Armored Brigade's objective will be to secure the Tirtur Road, and drive the enemy out of their entrenchments south of the Shick Road.

One battalion of divisional artillery will be available for fire support as needed.

Elements of the 600th Armored Brigade, and 35th Parachute Brigade will be operating to your right flank, and will attempt to close up on your command.

More Battle of Chinese Farm 1973

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