Many happy returns to our Muslim brothers on the occasion of the Hijri New Year which we celebrate today. This coincides with the Egyptians’ celebrating the October victory which crowns our history with sweet laurels. This victory showed the world the truth about Egyptians who may be bent, yet never broken. Rather, they are made stronger and more willing to prevail. Whenever we talk of this victory, we are happy and proud of all who made it. Meanwhile, I shall talk about this victory from the world’s perspective.
Changing the World
Egypt has always proved that she is capable of changing history, as well as the world’s view of her and her children. In fact, the world did change: not only through the October war, but through the War of Attrition which preceded it. Jean Claude Guillebaud asserts, “Nobody ever thought that as Sadat launched his tanks and troops to cross the Suez Canal, at 2:00 p.m., on October 6, he was unleashing a great power which was to change the world. Nothing in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa has remained the way it was since the war of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). How fearful this incident was to Israel! It was like a horrific earthquake. The war was quite ruthless in the battlefield. Yet, it was even more ruthless for ordinary people whose dreams were shattered! They saw Israel fading forever.”
On October 29, 1973, Harold Seif, Daily Telegraph correspondent in Cairo, wrote: “The first six hours of October 6 changed the history of Egypt and the Middle East, as the Egyptian army crossed the Suez Canal and breached Bar Lev Line.”
The Egyptians’ Capability
The Egyptian mind is of such a unique potential that the world has looked to it throughout history. During peacetime, Egypt offers the world inventions, achievements and civilization. At war, the Egyptian mind always proves its excellence and greatness. In the October war, the Egyptian mind was able to mislead the enemy, convincing it that no war would take place. Eli Zeira, ex-director of Israel’s military intelligence (Aman), wrote before the war, “Egypt is blurred, and not so ready as to attack Israel.” Then he wrote in his memoires in “Yom Kippur War”, “The main reason for the defeat is passing on information to the Prime Minister without the intelligence analyzing it, being thought to be reliable. I believe this misleading information is part of the Egyptian Intelligence’s plan. It is part of the deluding strategy that was carried out to pave the way for the battle.”
Likewise, the Egyptian adeptness at planning, working, and decision-making showed itself clearly. According to Moshe Dayan, ex-defense minister, “Since the 1948 war, Israel has never faced such an offensive war preceded by a well-contrived plan and a perfect timing.”
Unity
Unity to achieve victory, the sole goal, was the main reason of triumph in the October War. According to “The Times,” “Arabs prevailed and proved that their troops could fight and use complex weapons adeptly. Likewise, Arab leaders showed how adroitly they could command.” Brig Gen. Yeshayahu Gavish said in a conference held about the October War in Jerusalem in 1974, “Concerning Israel, the war ended without being able to defeat the Arab leaders. We made no victories. We could defeat neither the Egyptian nor Syrian army. Nor could we retrieve the Israeli army’s counterattacking power. Should we weigh achievements against goals, we will find that the Arab victory was unmitigated. Thus, we have to admit that the Arab leaders achieved their goals: for they proved they could overcome their fear, plunge into war, fight efficiently, and cross the Suez Canal. Alas! They snatched the Canal from us through the power of arms!”
As Brave As Lions
The Egyptian history has always presented bravery role models which have amazed the world. Arnold di Urshegrit, Newsweek correspondent, speaks of the time he spent near Suez, “I never saw in twelve wars what I saw at Suez front!”
On December 13, 1973, David Elazar, ninth Israeli Chief of Staff, said, “Sharon is still giving irresponsible statements to the press, belittling all leaders that he might appear as the only hero, despite the fact that he knows that our crossing to the Canal’s west bank cost us exceedingly. Throughout ten days of fighting, we could not succumb any of the Egyptian armies.”
The bravery emanating from the Egyptian’s love for his country and keenness on defending it shattered all the enemy’s lies. Egyptians were able to breach the “unconquerable line”, and overcome “the undefeatable army”, giving the enemy an unforgettable lesson.
Thus, Golda Meir, ex-Prime Minister of Israel, wrote in her “My Life”, “The Egyptians crossed the Canal, and struck hard our troops in Sinai. The Syrians delved deep into the Golan. We lost a lot on both fronts. How sad it was to ask ourselves then if we should disclose to the people the bitter truth about Yom Kippur War in writing, not a military report, but a disaster or a horrific nightmare which made me suffer. It will haunt me throughout my life.”
On February 2, 1975, Assaf Yaguri, tank battalion commander, wrote an article in “Maariv” in which he penned the following, “How puzzled I am! How come this happened to our long-armed and deeply-experienced army? How come we found ourselves in this shameful situation? Where have our army’s swiftness and promptness gone?”
Yaguri and the world kept posing questions, seeking answers and explanations for this situation. Nevertheless, they found none, as all were blown by the lions’ bravery. Hence, legends were destroyed one after another. According to the “Newsweek”, “Legends which had been told after Israel’s triumph in 1967 continued to crash with the passage of time. One legend claimed the Arabs were not warriors, and that Israelis were supermen! Yet, the war proved just the opposite.”
Efficiency
The October War showed the army’s efficiency which everybody, including the enemy, vouched for. Drew Middleton, a military expert, says, “The Egyptian Air force was unexpectedly adept! Egyptian pilots showed great bravery. Likewise, Arab land crews showed how capable they were of managing and operating new aircrafts like MiG 21 in hard conditions.”
Uri Yusef Awar, an Israeli air-force first lieutenant, asserted, “We were amazed by the excellence and high aviation efficiency of the Egyptian pilots.”
History will always remember the October victory. It will always inspire our armed forces, reminding them of victories and achievements, not only in wars and defending the country, but also in working and achieving prosperity. Many happy returns to Egypt and her children and… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
