A Newbie does 1973 Arab-Israeli War

[incbob]

10/7/1973 AM Israeli Turn 3 (Second Day of War)
First a quick overview from day one.

Air War
Looking at the air force the only unit I have some problem with is the 3rd Ftr/Bomber group. Their readiness is down to 52 so I am going to order them to rest. The AO has my fighters running air superiority missions and my bombers attacking enemy airfields and this looks pretty good to me. So far, I have lost 22 aircraft worth noting and the Arabs have lost a reported total of 140+.

(Is there a way to look up enemy losses? I just added this up from the air reports.)

Land War
On land I feel I am in a much better position than I should be. The Syrian army has tried no advancement in the Golan Heights and even have a whole in their front line. The Sinai front is about as bad as it was historically. The Egyptians have crossed the Suez and established strong footholds on the east side of the canal. However, this foothold appears to be weak.

In the south, east of Suez city (As Suways) the Egyptians have some artillery, an armored recon Bn and a Mechanized Bgd. These do not look very powerful when I see they are facing off against 3 Brigades (401 Armor Bgd/252 Div, 204 Mech Bdg /252 Div, and the 35th Para Bgd/143 Div). Thank goodness no cooperation penalties. However, I note that there is are 2 Mechanized Bgds and an Armored Car Bn just across the Bar Lev line that could strike towards the Milta Pass or north to the crossroads and airfield of Bir Gifgafa.

What I call the center (Great Bitter Lake) sees sparse Egyptian units and is strongly held by air units and the 460th Armor Bgd/252 Div in Bir Gifgafa itself.

As far as Israel is concerned the north, along the coastal road, appears to be the Egyptians strongest foothold. Strong formations of the Egyptian 2nd Army have advanced and appear to be able to push through and take Tasa and the area south of the coastal road with ease.

Historically the Egyptians crossed the Suez, got a strong foothold and then basically dug in. Their war plans did not call for an advance across the Sinai into Israel, but only to advance across the Suez and gain a foothold. In fact, when planning the attack with the Syrians the Egyptians created two plans, one showing them advancing across the Sinai that they showed the Syrian Generals, and the real plan of crossing the canal and digging in. This would create a lot of friction later in the war as the Syrians were getting pressed they kept asking the Egyptians to start attacking and advancing only to receive no reply.

Jordan
Just in case I have left the 2nd Infantry Bgd/440th Div along the Jordanian border where it can respond north or south.

Historically Jordan was consulted before the war. In fact, King Hussein secretly traveled to Israel and warmed the Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, but she did not believe him. During the war Israel warned Jordan not to enter the war and after the debacle of the 6 day war in 1967 I think the only way Jordan would have entered into the war is if Israel Tel Aviv was occupied or both Damascus and Cairo were taken by Israel.

On land I have lost a little over 5% of my Assault AT Squads and over half my Medium MG. What has me really bothered though is that I have lost 10% of my Centurion's and a little over 10% of my M48 Patton III's.

Plans
I plan to continue the air war as it is going and allow the AO to continue to degrade the Arab air force.

For the Sinai the Egyptian Forces look weaker, but this seems to be the thornier task to tackle. The coastal road (why is there always a coastal road?) needs reinforcements and I do not think I am ready to try a counterattack. My center, based in Bir Gifgafa, appears strong so I am going to maintain the area. Looking at the weak forces west of Suez City makes me want to counterattack, but I do not have any units prepared for a reserve, so I am going to wait.

For the Golan I am going to try to exploit the whole that has been created in the center of the Syrian front and try to adjust my forces northward to take Mount Hermon.

[incbob]

IDF execution Turn 3

The IDF air force again hammered the Egyptian airfields. The IDF maintained air superiority at a loss of 9 planes versus the Arab 52.

Golan
The IDF 31st Para Bgd/36th Div and the 7th Armor Bn/3rd Bgd/36th Div attacked Syrian special forces at Mount Hermon taking it with light losses.
The IDF 108th Mech Bgd/240th Div with strong support attacked units of the 9th,1st, and 7th Syrian divisions (including the 7th Division HQ) driving them back and advancing a full 20km into Syria.
The IDF 6th Infantry Bgd/36th also continues to attack the center forcing the Syrian 42nd Mech Bgd/9th to retreat, but the 6th Bgd is unable to advance.
All other units on the Syrian front adjust and move units up to the front.

Sinai.
On the Sinai there is no counterattack, but movement in order to better try and defend. Several units are to deeply engaged however.

[incbob]

Golan end my turn 3 10/7/73 AM

[incbob]

Sinai End my turn 3 10/7/73 AM

[incbob]

Arab turn 3 10/7/1973 AM.
This is the turn that I have been so badly dreading.

Golan
The Syrians finally got off their butts and made a move. South of Mount Hermon the Infantry and Mechanized units of the Syrian 7th Division and Syrian Special Forces attacked the 679th Armor Bgd, 17th Armor Bgd/240th Division, and the 36th Armor Bn. The IDF armor had to retreat with the loss of 93!!! centurions (They lost 32 T-55's and 33 T-62's). The only good news is the Syrians could not advance and thereby cutoff my Mount Hermon units. In the center of the line the Syrian 1st Division and 9th Division attacked the 600th Armor Bgd/162 Division causing it to retreat (Arabs lose 23 T-55s, 16 T-62s and the IDF loses 27 Centurions). Meanwhile 79th Armor Bgd/240th division was forced to retreat by an intense artillery barrage that saw the loss of 16 Centurions to 19 T-55s.

Finally, at the far southern end of the front the Syrians made a push against the 2nd Infantry Bgd/440th division and the 11th Artillery Bgd/146th Division. The IDF brigade had to retreat after serious losses allowing the Syrians and the 1st Armored Bgd from Morroco to advance.

[incbob]

Arab turn 3 10/7/1973 AM.

Sinai

Things were bad at Golan, they did not get better in the Sinai.

In the North the Egyptians cleaned up the remaining Bar Lev units and tried to push along the coastal road. The Egyptian 2nd, 18th, and 21st divisions all made tentative attacks against a force made up of 1st Artillery Bgd/162nd div, 8th Armor Bgd/252nd div, and the 247th Para Bgd/252 division. The Artillery and Para's retreated, but the Armor held its ground. The battle was even in tank losses, but the Egyptians lost a lot of infantry. The Egyptian center again cleaned up Bar Lev units and made one attack against the forces south of Tasa, but the IDF held on. The south was no better as the Egyptians advanced without combat strengthening their foothold.

[incbob]

There are two battles that are not shown in the picture.


At this point the IDF has lost a little under 20% of assigned Assault AT Squads, about 10% M113 APC, 35% of the Centurions tanks, about 21% of the M48 Patton III tanks, 12 A-4 Skyhawks, and 11 F-4 Phantom II's. The losses are killing me. I cannot sustain these kind of tank losses

[incbob]

Turn 4 10/7/1973 PM (Night of second day of war)

It is a night turn so I do not plan on having many combats, none if I can get away with it.

Golan
In the Heights things look to be going very well. Mount Hermon has been taken and though the units holding it have their southern flank is wide open it is an easy move for the 679th Armor Bgd/240th, 17th Armor Bgd/240th Division, and the 36th Armor Bn./2nd/7th to retake the land they retreated from and dig in. Several units along the front need the night to reorganize and build up their strength.

1st Armor Bn/188th/36th 39% ready
660th Armor Bgd/162 42% ready
2nd Armor Bn/188th/36th 35% ready
79th Armor Bgd/240th is reorganizing after having lost 1/3 of its Centurions 35% ready
1st Infantry Bn/2nd Infantry/440th is also reorganizing.

Except for the 79th it does not appear that man of these units have suffered great losses. So, with no attacks it is just a matter of maneuvering units and digging in.

Sinai.
In the Sinai however, there are completely different issues. I would like to not attack, but I fear if I don’t several units will be left to die.

Along the coastal road the Egyptians have the 15th Armor Bgd/2nd Army moving to the south of the road threatening to cut off my northern Bgds.

In the center I have a real problem and a real dilemma. The units that hold Tasa and the area around Tasa are about to be cut off and encircled. Bir Gifgafa is an airfield and major crossroads. It is vital that it be held and I have strong units there: 460th Armor Bgd/252nd, 7th Infantry Bgd/252nd 18th, Artillery Bn/252nd, 33rd Air Defense, and the 2nd Zidon Bar Lev Garrison. So, the question is do I move out the armor and infantry brigades to attack keeping the lines to Tasa open, but thereby reducing the defense of Bir Gifgafa?

Then there is the question of the air forces role. I would like to set my units for interdiction or a last final airfield attack (what the AO recommends) before I unleash then upon the Arab armies in the morning. However, I wonder if I do counter in the Sinai should my air force lend support.

I decide this is too important.

[incbob]

Golan Heights end of my turn 4 10/7/73 PM

[incbob]

Sinai my turn 4

In the north 217th Armor Bgd/162nd with strong support attacks the Egyptian 15th Armor/2nd Army and inflicts a loss of 46 T-62s for the loss of 3 Centurions and 2 M48 Patton IIIs. Causing elements of the 15th Armor to retreat west. The 217th Armor then continues its assault against 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Bn of the Egyptian 15th Armor. The 2nd and 3rd are destroyed and cease to exist leaving only the 1st Bn to retreat. This leaves the Egyptian 90th Mechanized/2nd Army encircled where it comes under bombardment from the 6th Artillery Bgd/162 and 17th Artillery Bgd/443th. It suffers 4% casualties.

In the center I use the have the 460th Armor Bgd/252nd, 7th Infantry Bgd/252nd to attack advance recon units of the Egyptian 23rd division. They are about wiped out with little losses as they advance. The 460th Armor Bgd continues its attack against recon units, inflicting heavy losses, and advances along the road to Tasa until it moves south to attack recon units of the Egyptian 16th and 23rd divisions along with the 6th Mech Bgd/4th. This destroys the 16th recon and causes all others to retreat allowing the 460th to advance leaving a firm path to Tasa. Meanwhile the 110th Mech Bgd/252nd joins the 7th Infantry Bgd in attacking elements of the Egyptian 3rd division causing them to retreat (destroying the 67th Anti-tank Bgd), but are they are unable to advance.

In the south the 401st Armor Bgd/252nd joins the 204th Mech Bgd/252nd and 35th Para Bgd/143rd to attack elements of the Egyptian 4th division and 3rd Army. This forces them to retreat allowing the 35th Para to advance.

[incbob]

Sinai end my turn 4 10/7/73 PM

[incbob]

Arab Turn 4 10/7/1973 PM (Night of second day of war)
I haven’t really felt pressed in this game….I am now starting to feel pressed.

The Arab nations conducted 21 attacks, mostly bombardments.

Golan.
The Syrians made a serious push along the southern part of the front gaining some territory and further pushing units back.

Armor elements of the Syrian 5th division and 9th division attacked the 3rd Infantry Bgd/440th and 3rd Bn/188th Armor/36th north east of eh Sea of Galilee. After some loses the IDF was forced to retreat giving the ground to the Syrians. More seriously though was the fact that the Moroccan 1st Armor Bgd, with the Syrian 112th Infantry/5th division, and with very strong Syrian Artillery support (6+ Bgd) continued its advance to the sea of Galilee.
End Turn 4 Golan.

[incbob]

Sinai.
In the Sinai the Egyptians continued to strengthen their foothold east of the Suez Canal.

The attacks in the north were very serious. The Egyptian 90th Mechanized/2nd Army retreated and joined in attacks as the Egyptians advanced their northern foothold. This advance included units of the Egyptian 2nd, 18th, and 23rd divisions. It took several attacks, but all IDF elements along the coastal road and north of the 217th/162 Armor Bgd were forced to retreat. In the center uUnits of the Egyptian 3rd, 23rd, and 16th divisions attacked the small armor battalion and Bar-Lev garrison south of Tasa. This was an overwhelming force that wiped out the Bar-Lev garrison and forced the 3rd /4th Armor/162 Bn to retreat with just 1/3 of its tanks left. While in the south units of the Egyptian 3rd Army, 19th division, and 4th division attacked the Notsa Bar-Lev garrison and the 55th Para/143 Bgd just east of the Mitla Pass. This overwhelming force caused the Bar-Lev garrison to be destroyed and forced the 55th Para to retreat.

[incbob]

I have made several mistakes in playing this my first scenario. Here they are, in no particular order, up to the beginning of turn 5.

1) Control of unit movement. As this was my first game I was still getting used to right and left clicking units and ordering their moving. I also have not yet figured out how to deselect a unit once I have selected one without selecting another movement. This caused a couple of errant moves in the first part of the game. I still am unsure why I was not able to undo the moves.

2) Improper use of artillery. I have failed in using my artillery in a couple of ways. First, I forget it is there. I should be using my artillery to shell and cause enemy losses even when there isn't an actual attack into that hex. I have also miss applied it in attacking. There have been several attacks I have set artillery to a limited attack because I do not want it to move. However, this is wrong. I do not think artillery moves and the only reason to use artillery in a limited attack is if they are going to support more than one combat.

3) I now know exactly how to look back at last turns battles. Simple really. Do a review of your last turns battles, switch to the opposition and then click the hex location for a detailed battle report. Better yet is to look at the combat chart to get an exact list of unit names and what they did.

4) This last item is not so much about the game itself, but about writing AAR's. The writing of the AAR is in some regards easy, but learning how to write unit names is something I am still trying to figure out the best way possible. Is saying the 217th Armor Bgd enough or do I need to also provide their division number? How do you write out the 1st Bn of the 3rd brigade of the 15th infantry division?

It is also not so simple to know what I need in way of screenshots of and how to name the resulting image file.

I am also struggling with what level of information to give in the AAR. Is writing that Israel attacked with 2 Armor brigades and one infantry brigade enough or should I give the actual unit names?

[incbob]

Thanks. To me it is the view that makes most sense. What do I care about a unit's individual value when it is only one of five or six units?

I have several views set and cycle through them as needed. If you have any suggestions please give them.

[StuccoFresco]

The more you play the more you know [:'(]

[incbob]

Turn 5 (10/8/73 AM)

Looking at an overview of the situation I feel that this is "make it or break it turn." I believe that the results of this turn are going to determine victory or defeat. This is also the first turn that I am going to direct the IDF air force against land units of the Arabs.

Historically one of the things that Israel faced in this war was what to do with its air force. Do you attack north to the Golan or do you support units in the Sinai despite the Egyptian heavy use of good SAM units. This is an issue I am really wrestling with as I begin turn 5. As I see it there are a couple of possibilities.

1) Interdiction. Interdiction could attack moving Egyptian units and hamper Arab supply thus slowing their advance and weaken already struggling Syrian units.
2) Use air support in the Golan. This would greatly aid the IDF advance towards Nawa and could possibly lead to a break in the Syrian line removing the Syrian threat. This would then allow units to be transferred south to the Sinai.
3) Use air bombardment to attack units in the Sinai reducing their strength and ability to continue their advance and attack.

The problem with Interdiction and concentrating air power in the Golan is that it gives the Egyptians another free turn to complete the encirclement of Tasa, threaten Bir Gifgafa, and several strong IDF armor brigades. I decide the IDF units in the Golan are pretty strong already and I will give them what air support I can. But the situation in the Sinai is getting too serious. I decide to target several of the strongest formations in the hopes that this concentrated attack will begin to slow the Egyptian advance.

[incbob]

Golan Sector
At first glance the Golan sector appears to be a real problem for Israel with the Moroccan armor and Syrian Mechanized brigades at the Sea of Galilee. It would be a complete disaster if they had the initiative and were going first this turn, but they are not going first which makes this a great opportunity.

The plan is for the units of the 9th/146th Armor Bgd, 4th/Central Reserve Infantry Bgd, 2nd/1st/36th Infantry Bn, 3rd/188th/36th Armor Bn, 1st/3rd/440th Infantry Bn, 70th/146th Mechanized Bgd, to attack the Syrian front and drive southeast towards Nawa. While this advance is taking place the 20th/146th Armor Bgd will attack south from its position northeast of the Moroccan armor to cut off the Moroccan armor and Syrian mechanized brigade. A successful operation could see Israel roll up to Nawa, cutting off several Arab brigades, and be in a position to curl around behind the Syrian front. A possible problem this attack faces however, is a lack of air support due to the Sinai situation (see below). I am also going to have units attack to expand the whole in the middle of the Syrian line.

My Golan plans. Red arrows are attacks, blue arrows represent support attacks.

[incbob]

Sinai.
Where the Golan gives me hope the Sinai has me very worried. I think one of my possible errors was in sitting my units to far forward. This has resulted in the units of the Tasa Bar-Lev line almost being cut off.

The North.
The 247th/252nd Para Bgd, 8th/252nd Armor Bgd, 1st/14th/162 Armor Bn sit right on the coastal road have support from artillery (in the hex and moving up behind them) with an air defense unit. However, they are all exhausted and need time to recover. To the south of them the 217th/162nd Armor Bgd is a very strong force. I consider retreating all these units and having them form a defensive line a hex or two back with the artillery that is moving into place behind them. However, I fear this plan would allow the Egyptians to be in a position behind my center. Therefore, I decide the artillery will move up and the 217th Armor will conduct an attack north towards the coastal road and then maybe south against the Libyan armor.

The Center.
If the north has me worried the center has me in fits. I am not sure I can keep Tasa from either being encircled or destroyed and at this point I fear it is too late to have them retreat. The 460th/252nd Armor Bgd is an extremely strong unit, but there is only one of it and it faces multiple enemy units. I am going to conduct air strikes against the strongest enemy formations south of the 460th and to the west of Bir Gifgafa. After this I am going to evaluate how best to attack their positions or retreat.

The South
The south, just like the north and center, does not bring a smile to my face. I hold the high ground and the crossroads with strong units, but the Egyptians just have to many more units than I do. I am going to use the 55th/143rd Para Bgd, holding the high mountain at Jabal el Gidddi, has a low readiness, but I am going to have them and the 11th/143rd Armor Bgd and the 500th/143rd Amor Bgd attack north towards Tasa and Bir Gifgafa in an effort to plug a whole that looms to form between my center and south.

Meanwhile I am going to have the IDF form air strikes against various strong Egyptian units along the front.

Red arrows are attacks, green arrows are movement, and lightning bolts are air attacks.

[incbob]

Turn 5 (10/8/73 AM) IDF movement Golan.

The morning started with the Israeli air force hitting several targets in the Sinai, but the was little effect from the air. On the land however….

The morning opened with several attacks occurring at the same time. The 6th/36th Infantry Bgd, 600th/162nd Armor Bgd, and the 1st/188th/36th Armor Bn fought against armor elements of the Syrian 1st division. The IDF took some heavy losses but did force a brigade of armor to retreat. 109th/162nd Mechanized Bgd attacked the Syrian 51st/1st and 47th/Reserve Armor Bgds. The Syrians lost 64 T-55s and T-62s for the loss of 6 Centurions and 17 M60A1’s. While this was going on the 9th/146th Armor Bgd, 70th146th Mechanized Bgd, 4th/Central Reserve Infantry Bgd, and the 2nd/1st/36th Infantry Bn began their move toward Nawa against an infantry Bgd, a mechanized Bgd, and an armor Bgd. It was a serious slugfest, but in the end the Syrians retreated and the 4th Infantry was able to advance. To the south of them at the same time 20th/146th Armor Bgd and the 205th/146th Armor Bgd attacked the Syrian 104th and 105th armor. The Syrian armor was completely destroyed (48t old tanks) for the loss of 2 M60A1 tanks, a couple of jeeps, and some squads.

The big battle however was the 3rd/188th/36th Amor, 1st/3rd/440th Infantry, 3rd/1st/36th Infantry battalions attacking the Syrian 102nd Anti-tank Bgd and 46th Armor Bgd. Both sides had artillery support and the IDF had strong air support. The battle lasted a full 7 rounds and resulted in an Arab retreat with almost 1/3 of their forces lost and an IDF advance.

The morning ended with the continued advance to Nawa. The 6th/36th Infantry Bgd, 600th/162nd Armor Bgd, 4th/162nd Mechanized Bgd, 9th/440th Mechanized Bgd, and the 1st/188th/36th Armor Bn attacked the 91st/1st Amor and special forces/airborne units of the Syrian Army. The attack resulted in an IDF advance and a Syrian defeat with the loss of near 50% of the force (including 37 T-62s). The 20th and 205th Armor Bgds with elements of the 1st/36th Infantry Bgd continued to press against Syrian anti-tank and infantry units which were forced to retreat as the IDF advanced. Finally, the 9th/146th Armor Bgd, 4th/Central Reserve Infantry Bgd, 5th/Central Reserve Infantry Bgd, and armor and infantry elements of the 36th division destroyed a Syrian armor brigade and a mechanized brigade as they advanced to the outskirts of Nawa.