The Israeli Defense Forces
in the Yom Kippur War

Divisions

by Greg Novak and Frank Chadwick

In the Six Day War the first use of a divisional level formation was used, which were given the title of Ugdah and used to control groups of brigades. Though first seen as a temporary headquarters which were formed as needed for specific missions, by 1973 they had become part of the Ground Corps structure. Divisional level formations were organized as well for the first time, though they and the component brigades were only to be assigned as needed to these headquarters. Two of the Divisions, the 36th Mechanized on the Golan, and the 252nd Armored in the Sinai, were organized as part of the Regular Army structure.

The following formations were to be created for attachment to the new divisional structures, though it is unsure how many of these new formations other than the divisional headquarters actually saw action. There is an unanswered question here whether the engineer and recon battalions were to be raised as separate units, or were to be organized by pulling the existing recon and engineer companies out of the brigades and combining them in the new battalions. The 143rd and 162nd are noted as having Divisional Engineer Battalions.

All Elements Experienced to Veteran, Morale 9 except Recon Elements, upgrade I level

Divisional Headquarters, with

    1 command stand
    1 jeep
    1 staff radio M 113 APC
    1 support stand
    1 M113 APC

Divisional Engineer Battalion, with:

    Headquarters, with:
      1 command stand
      1 jeep v1 M-48 AVLB

    3 Companies, each with:
      1 command stand
      2 engineer stands
      2 halftracks with trailers
      1 Sherman tank dozer

Divisional Recon Battalion: with:

    Headquarters: with 1 command stand and 1 jeep
    Tank Company: with: 2 recon tanks
    Jeep Company: with:
      2 recon infantry stands
      2 recon jeeps with HMG's
      2 recon jeeps with LMG's
      1 jeep with 106mm. recoiless rifles

    APC Company: with
      2 recon infantry stands
      2 M 113 APC's

Notes

1. The following Divisions are reported to have served in 1973: 36th Mechanized Division (RA), 252nd Armored Division (RA), 143rd Armored Division (Reserve), 146th Armored Division (Reserve), 162nd Armored Division (Reserve), 240th Armored Division (Reserve), 440th Composite Division (Reserve).

The Israeli Defense Forces Yom Kippur War

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© Copyright 1997 by Greg Novak.
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