The Israeli Defense Forces
in the Yom Kippur War

Introduction

by Greg Novak and Frank Chadwick

Editors Note: The following article is perhaps the most difficult that I have ever had the chance to research. The need to translate military terms from Hebrew to English confuses the issue to start with, as one sources translation often contradicts another Then, the Israeli Defence Forces have an official policy of being less than forthcoming with details on organization, strength, or unit identifications. Last, and perhaps the most interesting part of all, when Israeli commanders write their memoirs -- including what I think is one of the best works on modern warfare, Avraham "Bren " Adans "On the Banks of the Suez", they cheerfully will identify one of their units by any and all of the following means: The units actual designation; the unit by the commander's last name; the unit by the commander's first name, and the unit by the commander's nickname. Thus the 460th Armored Brigade in the Sinai is also known as Amirs Brigade, Gavriels Brigade, and Gabis Brigade - all referring to Aluf Mishet (Colonel) Gavriel "Gabi" Amir the brigade's commander and sometimes used on the same page.

The Israeli Defense Forces, known in Hebrew as the Zahal Zva Ha Hagana Le Yisrael or simply as ZAHAL, entered the Yom Kippur War with a reputation unsurpassed among the nations of the world. ZAHAL had first shown its ability in 1956 during the Suez War, and then in 1967 had defeated the combined armies of Egypt, Jordan and Syria in six days. A fourth war, the so called "War of Attrition" of 1969 to 1971 passed almost unnoticed by the West but still ended with an Israeli victory over Egypt, in spite of the fact that Egypt held the advantage at the start of the conflict. By 1973 Israel had gone from being the David of the Middle East to the role of Goliath.

In 1973 ZAHAL had a military system unlike any other found in the world. From 1948 on, Israel found itself beset by enemies on all sides, but was unable to either pay the cost of the large standing army needed to secure her borders, or even provide the manpower out of her limited population base. Though ZAHAL claims as its model the citizen soldier system of Switzerland, what exists is the last of the "Nation in Arms" system as found in Europe just prior to the First World War. Using this system, Israel could, out of a population base of some 3.1 million people, within 72 hours call out 310,000 soldiers into the field.

Almost all Israeli male citizens, and a majority of women, are called up at the age of 18 for service in ZAHAL. Males must serve a minimum of three years while females must serve a minimum of two years. The major limitation on the number of women that can be called up is the number of posts that they can fill, as Israeli women are not allowed to serve in combat formations, though they may serve in training and service units.

Volunteers are not accepted - rather all members of ZAHAL start off as conscripts, and are sent through a battery of tests to determine who is best suited to serve as NCO's, officers, and other specialists, with some training requiring the commitment of additional time in service. Those chosen to fly for the Air Corps, for example, must sign up for a five year enlistment. Those wishing to serve as regulars are offered contracts to remain, and may serve until they are 55, but common practice is to end active service for most regulars in the mid forties, after which they pass into the reserve.

After active service is complete, all members of the ZAHAL pass into the reserve, where they were liable to one day of training per month, and on paper 31 days of active service per year. Due to the "Fourth War", the so called "War of Attrition", the annual call up time went to an average of 40 days, and in some cases even 60 days a year. This call up continues until the reservists are in their early 50's (mid 30's for childless women), leading to the oft quoted statement that "Israel is a country of soldiers on eleven months leave".

The nature of the Israeli structure has led to the development of a Israeli style of combat that is unique in many ways. To begin with, the mobilization of the ZAHAL results in the shut down of the Nation of Israel. With the vast majority of the manpower serving in the armed forces, and much of the transport ability of the nation called up as well, economic activity will cease to exist.

Thus mobilization is not lightly entered, and any war needs to be as short as possible. This ties into the next area as well, that the wars of Israel must be fought as cheaply as possible in terms of Israeli life. What would be considered as minor losses to another nation would be considered as crushing losses by Israel. Any means of reducing those losses is all important, especially in terms of using machines to reduce manpower and increase firepower.

One last consideration need to be added into the mix. All of Israel is inhabited and must be held, and can not be given up to the enemy. Better then to fight the war on Israeli soil, the war should be carried to and fought on the enemy's soil. Israeli doctrine is geared toward the offensive, and not defensive. It is not enough to hold off the enemy, rather any enemy should be defeated and driven back in turn.

In 1973, ZAHAL was divided into the Air Corps (Hel Avrir), Sea Corps (Hel Yam), and Ground Corps. The Ground Corps was further divided into 16 sub Corps, most of which were in service and supply, i.e. General Services, Ordnance, Supply and Transport, Judge Advocate General, etc. For purposes of this article, the two elements that will be considered are the Air Corps and Ground Corps. While the Sea Corps did make a name for itself in this conflict, it fought what was essentially a separate conflict.

The Israeli Defense Forces Yom Kippur War

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