Ep 9. The Six Day War: Battle for the Sinai

In episode 9 of season 2 of Greatest Tank Battles, viewers are taken back in time to the 1967 Six-Day War, where Israel finds itself surrounded by hostile Arab nations. In a battle for survival, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launch a daring preemptive strike on the Egyptian air force to gain air superiority. This sets the stage for a critical tank battle in the Sinai desert that will decide the fate of the war.

The show introduces a range of historical perspectives from military experts, veterans, and journalists who witnessed the conflict. They provide insight into the motivations, tactics, and strategies of Arab and Israeli tank commanders as they prepared for the fighting. Viewers also get an overview of the challenges of fighting in the desert, where the harsh terrain and scorching temperatures take a toll on man and machine.

As the IDF advances into Egyptian territory, they are faced with a formidable opponent in the form of the Egyptian army's well-equipped and experienced tank corps. The Egyptians have a variety of Russian-built tanks at their disposal, including T-34s, T-54s, and T-55s. These tanks are armed with powerful main guns and backed up by anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and infantry carrying RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades). The Israelis are initially outmatched and suffer heavy casualties.

However, the IDF's tank crews show remarkable resilience and adaptability, often drawing on their ingenuity and improvisation to overcome difficult situations. For example, they devise a way to use their tanks as bulldozers to clear the sandy terrain, which had hampered their mobility. They also use their mastery of combined arms tactics, such as coordinating their tanks with artillery and air support, to gain an edge over the enemy.

The Egyptian commanders, meanwhile, struggle to coordinate their forces and respond to changing battlefield conditions. They are also hampered by poor logistics and communications, which prevent them from resupplying and reinforcing their units effectively. The show depicts tense and chaotic moments, such as when an Egyptian tank column inadvertently runs into a minefield, or when a single Israeli patrol manages to disrupt an entire Egyptian brigade's attack.

Ultimately, the Israeli tank crews prove to be too skilled and determined for the Egyptians to overcome. They inflict heavy losses on the enemy and capture large amounts of territory, including the strategic Mitla Pass. The show highlights some of the key battles of the conflict, such as the engagements at Abu-Ageila, Nakhl, and Baltim. Viewers get a sense of the intense and grueling nature of tank warfare, as well as the high stakes involved in the conflict.

Overall, Greatest Tank Battles season 2 episode 9 offers a gripping and informative account of the tank battles of the Six-Day War. It sheds light on the factors that shaped the outcome of the conflict, such as the importance of technological innovation, leadership, and morale. It also showcases the bravery and skill of the tank crews who fought in this pivotal moment of military history.