Introduction

The Arab-Israeli Wars of the second half of the twentieth century have always intrigued me as a gamer. More than just a continuation of World War II, and yet not having the same sinister feel as the hypothetical World War III, these wars have given military theorists around the world the opportunity to see their ideas in action. The 1948 War was surely no revelation in battlefield tactics, but from it grew the plans and organizational flexibility's that the young state of Israel would need to survive the impending future conflicts with her Arab neighbors. In 1956 the Israelis showed what a highly motivated and trained force could do to superior numbers. The 1967 War was a further refinement of the tactics that the Israelis unleashed in 1956. It was the 1973 war that gave the Israelis the most difficulties, as Syria, and especially Egypt obtained from the Soviet Union weapon systems that hampered Israeli tried-and-true tactics.

After losing the Golan Heights in the previous (1967) war, the Syrian armed forces were poised to strike the heights and drive through Israeli territory. It was in the southern Golan where the Syrians came close to seeing part of their revenge bear fruit, as there forces reached the cliffs overlooking the Sea of Galilee. However, the Syrians were a little too late as elements of the Peled Division raced in to attack the advanced elements of the 5th Syrian Infantry Division near the town of El Al.

The Scenario

ISRAELI ORDER OF BATTLE

ELEMENTS, PELED DIVISION
Troop Quality: Veteran, Morale 9

19th Brigade Team, with:
Headquarters, with: 1 command Sherman Mk 51
Two Tank Companies, each with: 1 command Sherman Mk 51and 1 Sherman Mk 51
One Infantry Company, with: 1 command infantry stand, 2 infantry stands, and 3 M-113s

20th Brigade Team, with: 
Headquarters, with: 1 command Patturion
Two Tank Companies, each with: 1 command Patturion and 1 Patturion
One Infantry Company, with: 1 command infantry, stand 2 infantry stands, and 3 M113s

Mixed Team, with:
Headquarters, with: 1 command Centurion
One Tank Company, with: 1 command Centurion and 1 Centurion
One Tank Company, with: 1 command Sherman Mk 51 and 1 Sherman Mk 51
One Infantry Company, with: 1 command infantry stand, 2 infantry stands, and 3 M-113s

Offboard Support:
1 command stand
1 120mm mortar
1 gun crew

Israeli Notes:

1. The 120mm mortar has 1 ton of ammunition available. Any unit may spot for the 120mm mortar which acts like a battalion weapon.

2. The Israelis enter the western edge of the table on turn one.

SYRIAN ORDER OF BATTLE

ELEMENTS, 5TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Troop Quality: Experienced, Morale 7

46th Tank Brigade, with:
Headquarters, with: 1 command T-55 and 1 staff radio truck
Three Tank Battalions, each with: 1 command T-55 and 6 T-55s

5th Infantry Battalion, with:
1 command stand, 6 infantry stands, 1 RPG-7 stand, 1 AT-3 stand 1 107mm RR stand (ds), 1 82mm mortar stand (ds), 9 BTR-60 and 2 medium trucks

5th Anti-Tank Battalion, with:
1 command stand, 2 BRDMs, 2 107mm RR stands (ds)

Syrian Notes:

1. The Syrian forces may set up anywhere east of the set-up line.

Referee's Notes:

1. The game starts at 1300 and ends at the conclusion of the 1730 turn.

2. The dry stream bed acts as a creek: units must pay double cost for crossing the stream bed. Wheeled vehicles must pay quadruple costs.

3. El Al contains four stone building complexes, each having 15 damage points.

4. The areas marked as sand hinder movement of all stands. Personnel stands and tracked vehicles pay double costs for movement while wheeled vehicles pay quadruple costs.

5. The orchard should be treated as open woods for spotting and fire. It has no effect on movement.

Victory conditions are as follows:

Map