The Six Day War Essay -- Military History

The Six Day War Introduction History records the 1967 Arab-Israeli War (Six-Day War) as one of the most memorable on record. Israeli forces delivered a stunning defeat to a coalition of Arab forces that greatly outnumbered the much smaller Israeli force. Victory was made possible by the initial aerial attack launched by Israeli Air Forces. The elements of surprise, stealth, Operational Security (OPSEC), precision planning and flawless execution were essential to victory. The opening aerial offensive has been called â€Å"one of the most stunning successes in modern warfare† . This case study will review the history, preparation, execution, and lessons learned of this conflict. There is much profit for those who will study this war and consider the essential elements that made the impossible- possible. History The United Nations General Assembly voted for the establishment of an Israeli independent state on 29 November 1947. Independence was claimed on May 14th, 1948. Immediately, Arab nations were hostile towards the presence of a Jewish state. No peace was to be enjoyed. Arab legions surrounded Israeli camps and brutally attacked and slaughtered, even civilians. Uneasy relations continued and sporadic wars were to be required in order to preserve the Jewish state. In 1967, tensions were boiling; as another war was on the horizon. While the Jewish state was far out-numbered and surrounded by foes, the Jewish people were inspired to fight for their very survival. President Gamal Abdel Nasser, of Egypt, delivered unsettling, warmongering speeches that only served to further inspire the Israelis to fight with passion. â€Å"The Israelis had a courage and patriotism that made them try harder and more unselfishly† . The... ...ng design, which proved to be a detriment as they could easily be made unusable by a single bomb strike at the intersecting runways . In addition, nations invested in advanced technology, seeking better early warning radar systems. References Tucker, Spencer C., Battles that Changed History: An Encyclopedia of World Conflict, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011 Weller, Jae, Israeli Armor: Lessons From the Six-Day War, Military Review Vol.51, No.11, Nov 1971 Rabinovich, Abraham, First Strike, The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Vol.2, No.3, Spring 1990 In Search of Peace: Part One 1948-1967. DVD. Moriah Films, 1997 Against All Odds: Six-Day War & Raid on Entebbe. DVD. A&E Television Networks, 1996 Dogfights: No Room for Error. DVD. A&E Television Networks, 2007 Dogfights: The Complete Season One, Volume Four. DVD. A&E Television Networks, 2006