Golan Heights: Valley of Tears

On the Golan Heights, the second day of the war found the Israeli forces holding on by an extremely thin thread. The first day's actions had virtually decimated the few tank units the Israelis had available. The Syrian tank and …

1973-10-09

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On the Golan Heights, the second day of the war found the Israeli forces holding on by an extremely thin thread. The first day's actions had virtually decimated the few tank units the Israelis had available. The Syrian tank and mechanized brigades, while suffering staggeríng losses, employed the Soviet “meat-grinder” tactics to good measure. There wasn't any subtlety in their methods, just headlong attacks across the anti-tank ditch. These battles carried well into the night hours. Friend and foe became closely intertwined; many tank duels were enacted at 100 meters or less. For three full days and nights, the Syrians launched attack after attack against the Israeli 7th Armored Brigade. Somehow, the Israelis were able to keep them contained in the “Valley of Tears”, the battlefield was aptly named by an Israeli battalion commander as he gazed over the carnage. On June 9, the Syrians launched one of the largest attacks to date. This time, the Syrian 7th Infantry Division's 78th Tank Brigade was joined by the Republican Guard, the pride of the Syrian Army. Equipped in all their splendor with T-62 tanks, they were reputed to be fierce, unbeatable fighters. This day was to prove otherwise. The Israeli defenders were again able to hold their ground. However, the toll was becoming heavy burden. Of the 7th Armored Brigade's 105 tanks that had began the battle, only 32 now remained.

Valley of Tears, Golan Heights

The Valley of Tears is the name given to an area in the Golan Heights after it became the site of a major battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, known as the Valley (or Vale) of Tears Battle, which was fought from 6 October to 9 October. Although massively outnumbered, the Israeli forces managed to hold their positions and on the fourth day of the battle the Syrians withdrew, just as the Israeli defenses were almost at the point of collapse.

Wikipedia: Valley of Tears

Israeli

Syrian