Battle of Chinese Farm 1973

Egyptian Briefing 1

by Tom Harris

HQ, 16th Egyptian Infantry Division
0300 hrs, 17 October, 1973
TO: Headquarters, 16th Infantry Brigade

1. SITUATION

On the night of October 15-16, 1973, enemy forces launched a assault against our troops in the area of the agricultural research station known as Chinese Farm. The attack was spearheaded by enemy commandoes in captured Egyptian vehicles, which were followed by strong tank units. In the darkness the enemy succeeded in bypassing most of our defensive positions and managed to place a small number of conmiandoes across the Suez Canal.

Throughout the night, however, strong counterattacks by our division, reinforced by the 21st Armored Division, decimated his tank brigades. At daybreak on the 16th, the 24th Armored Brigade of the 23rd Mechanized Division was shifted south to reinforce our troops, and our counterattack continued. On the 16th we found ourself involved in heavy confused fighting all along the length of the planned enemy supply routes, which appear to be code named "Tirtur" and "Akavish". Now after 24 hours of costly fighting, the Israeli resistance seems to be crumbling at long last. Our current positions dominate the "Tirtur" Road, but Israeli supplies are still moving forward along the "Akavish" Road.

2. OPPOSING FORCES

Scattered elements of the enemy 143rd Armored Division are still in action along the length of the supply corridor. Elements of the 63rd Israeli Armored Division are in action along the entire front of the division to the east.

3. FRIENDLY FORCES

The divisions 112th Infantry Brigade is deployed to your immediate north, while the divisions 3rd Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) is four (4) kilometers north of them. These brigades are currently successfully holding off the attacks of the 163rd Israeli Armored Division, and will not be able to offer your any aid or assistance.

Your brigade is the southern flank of the division (and the entire Egyptian Army across the Suez Canal) and is strongly entrenched in the Chinese Farm area. The main body of the 21st Armored Division is regrouping to the rear of the 112th Infantry Brigade after taking severe losses in yesterdays battle, and will not be able to support you today. Likewise, the 24th Armored Brigade of the 23rd Mechanized Division has also pulled back for regrouping, having lost a large number of vehicles and commanders in yesterdays actions. However the 14th Armored Brigade has been released for action, and is enroute to your positions.

4. MISSION

While the northern brigades continue their holding action, the 14th Armored Brigade will attack south through your position and cut the "Akavish" Road. Your brigade will support the action of the 14th Armored Brigade, without however giving up your hold on the Chinese Farm position. Loss of that ground will have a fatal impact on our army, and it must be held at all costs.

More Battle of Chinese Farm 1973

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