Battle of Golan Heights
The Battle of Golan Heights refers to a significant military engagement during the Yom Kippur War, which began on October 6, 1973, when Syria launched a surprise attack on Israeli positions in the Golan Heights. Major General Youseff Chakkour led the Syrian forces in a multi-pronged assault involving several divisions against two Israeli brigades. Initial Syrian advances were met with fierce resistance from Israeli forces, commanded by Major General Yitzhak Hofi, who quickly mobilized reserves to fortify their defenses. By October 10, the Israeli military managed to repel the Syrian assault, pushing them back to the border and creating a salient near Damascus by October 14.
The battle incurred heavy losses on both sides, with Israel suffering significant casualties, including the loss of tanks and aircraft, while Syria faced even greater losses in personnel and equipment. This confrontation not only preserved Israel's northern territories but also reshaped the perception of the Syrian military's capabilities. The high casualties and the tenacity demonstrated by Syrian forces affected Israeli views and strategies in subsequent conflicts. The Battle of Golan Heights remains a critical event in the historical narrative of the Arab-Israeli conflict, illustrating the complexities of modern warfare and the enduring geopolitical tensions in the region.
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Battle of Golan Heights
Type of action: Ground and air battle in the Israeli-Arab October War
Date: October 6-22, 1973
Location: Forty-five-mile Syrian-Israeli border, Damascus, and lava plateau surrounded by Mount Hermon, Jordan River, and Yarmouk Valley
Combatants: 12,000 Israelis vs. 60,000 Syrians (assisted by Iraqi, Moroccan, and Jordanian units)
Principal commanders:Syrian, Major General Youseff Chakkour; Israeli, Major General Yitzhak Hofi
Result: Israel defends its Golan Heights territory
As part of the October 6, 1973, Arab surprise attack on Israel, Syria, under Major General Youseff Chakkour, launched a three-axis, four-division assault against the two Israeli brigades manning the \ border. By October 7, the northern attack stalled, but the two southern thrusts nearly entered the Jordan River valley. The Israelis, under Major General Yitzhak Hofi, frantically committed reserves to help the remaining original forces in their desperate defense. These actions combined with the Syrians’ unimaginative tactics to stop the onslaught. By October 10, the Israelis pushed the Syrians back to the border. By October 14, Israeli advances against stubborn defenses created a salient twenty-five miles from Damascus. Until war’s end, the Israelis successfully repulsed all Syrian and allied Arab unit counterattacks.
Fierce fighting with modern weapons in the Golan’s close confines incurred high losses. Israel’s small defense force lost 250 tanks, and nearly 800 men were killed. It also lost many aircraft in Golan front air-support missions. The Syrians lost 1,150 tanks and 118 planes, and 3,500 troops were killed.
Significance
Israel’s Golan Heights victory saved its northern territories and drove Egypt to risk another attack to help Syria. Its failure led to further losses. The Golan battle’s high casualties and Syrian tenacity shook Israel’s contempt for Syrian troops. It also highlighted the vulnerability of tanks and airplanes against concentrations of modern weapons.
Bibliography
Asher, Jerry, and Eric Hammel. Duel for the Golan. New York: William Morrow, 1987.
Dupuy, Trevor. Elusive Victory: The Arab-Israeli Wars, 1947–1974. New York: Harper & Row, 1978.
Herzog, Chaim. The Arab-Israeli Wars. New York: Random House, 1982.
Lerman, Hallie. Crying for Imma: Battling for the Soul on the Golan Heights. Los Angeles: Night Vision Press, 1999.