Wadi Marbouk

Yom Kippur War

By Chris Wilkowski

After Action Report September 14, 1996 - Free Game Day College of the Ozarks. Branson, Missouri

Six days into the Yom Kippur war, scratch elements of the Israeli Defense force consisting of six M-60 Patton tanks were positioned on both sides of the Wadi Marbouk awaiting the arrival of the Egyptians. The Egyptian 3rd Armored Brigade with supporting units intended to push through the wadi (the weakest point in western Sinai), outflank the forward Israeli positions and reach the Mitla Pass before the Israeli forces could halt their advance. The Israeli force (commanded by a first time player from the College with support from Tim Kellog, Tornado Alley HMGS, Norman, OK) was positioned ideally for an ambush, vehicles hull down with overlapping fields of fire.

The scenario called for the Egyptians (maneuvered by a contingent from the Lion's Den out of Kansas City, Missouri, consisting of Ken Van Pelt, Jon Haworth, and Doug Martin), 32 T55 and 8 T62 tanks with BRDM's in support, to run the gauntlet, unable to fire or shift course of movement until fired upon. Adrenaline got the better of the Israeli commander, and the ambush was sprung too early.

The first wave of the Egyptians was decimated by the long range fire of the M-601s, but the subsequent waves of T55's and T62's rolled on as Egyptian 122mm artillery ranged in on the Israeli tankers. At the point the game was stopped, the Israeli force had lost 67% of their force, all to artillery fire. The Egyptian casualties amounted to 25% destroyed and about 10% disabled. The Egyptians were declared the winners of the scenario.


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