The annals of Egypt’s army are replete with remarkable incidents surrounding victory in the 1973 October War. Fifty-one years on, details about the war are still being revealed, especially when it comes to the role played by Egypt’s Air Force.

“The Crossing of 6 October 1973 was not the beginning, but rather the culmination of a long and arduous struggle,” says Lieutenant General Magdi Shaarawi, former commander of the Air Force and deputy commander of the Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Belbeis Air Base during the 6 October War.

“The 1973 War actually began in the immediate aftermath of the 1967 War, and our victory was preceded by several milestones. The first of these came on 1 July 1976, during the Battle of Ras Al-Esh, when Egyptian commando forces engaged in fierce combat with the enemy, emerging victorious and achieving their primary objective of holding East Port Said.

“The second key moment took place on 14 and 15 July 1967, when the Air Force, using what aircraft had survived, launched a concentrated two-day strike on enemy forces stationed east of the Suez Canal, targeting the Qantara East area where the enemy had amassed ammunition, equipment, and troops in preparation for crossing to the west bank of the canal.

“The third significant moment occurred on 21 October 1967, when the Egyptian Navy sank the Israeli destroyer Eilat.”

These three incidents boosted the morale of Egyptian soldiers and sent a clear message to Israel that Egypt would ultimately prevail, says Shaarawi.

“These early triumphs were followed by a series of operations aimed at depleting the enemy’s strength on land, sea, and in the air. Through deep operations and direct confrontations, Egyptian forces exhausted the enemy, eventually compelling them to seek a ceasefire.

“When our preparations were complete, and we had acquired the necessary weapons to wage battle, the decision to go to war was made.”

Explaining the Air Force’s role, Shaarawi underlined the importance of striking targets deep within enemy territory, including command centres, radar installations, and jamming sites. The Air Force completed this task, paralysing enemy movements and laying the groundwork for the next phase.

“The next phase included an artillery barrage, which lasted for an hour and successfully neutralised the enemy’s frontline defences. Following this came the most critical manoeuvre, the construction of bridges, the crossing of the canal and the establishing of bridgeheads along the eastern front. Each of these steps was executed under the protection of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces, whose efforts were complemented by the electronic warfare teams who jammed enemy signals.”

At the time, Shaarawi was serving as deputy commander of the Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Belbeis Air Base.

“The squadron had commenced operations in 1968 and continued its mission beyond 1973, monitoring the implementation of the withdrawal agreement. During the war itself, the squadron’s primary responsibility was to gather intelligence on enemy movements across sea, land, and air.

“The squadron photographed the Bar Lev Line during all the stages of its construction, from initial digging to completion, providing crucial intelligence that facilitated the Egyptian attack on the Bar Lev Line’s fortified positions.”

To start with, the squadron comprised just six pilots, a number that had quadrupled by the time the war began. Their efforts were essential in facilitating comprehensive planning on the front lines, providing photo-documented intelligence to guide strategic decisions.

Though the squadron initially used cameras with limited capabilities, they slowly acquired more advanced equipment which allowed for the production of highly detailed images, improving the accuracy of their reconnaissance efforts and allowing for more effective analysis.

“The Mansoura air battle was a true epic that will be studied and remembered in military history for decades. Our aircraft could barely remain airborne for 30 minutes while the enemy’s planes could fly for up to three hours. The enemy’s aircraft could launch missiles with a range of 15 to 16 km, while our missiles had a range of only 1.5 km.”

On 14 October 1973, the Israeli air force attacked Egypt’s airports in the Delta with the aim of neutralising Egypt’s air power and preventing its planes from striking Israeli forces. Taking off from Mansoura and Anshas airbases, Egyptian planes intercepted the attack. The skirmishes, in which more than 150 aircraft from both sides took part, lasted more than 50 minutes, making what came to be known as the Battle of Mansoura the longest aerial battle in modern history.

Despite the numerical and qualitative superiority of the enemy, Egypt downed 18 Israeli planes. The remainder turned tail and fled, a scenario that would recur during the rest of the war.

“In this battle, enemy aircraft far outnumbered our planes, and the remarkable efficiency of Egyptian ground crews was a crucial factor in turning the tide.

“Our ground crews could refuel and rearm a plane in under six minutes. The enemy thought it was going to face 24 Egyptian planes, but with such a quick turnaround they were effectively fighting 160 aircraft.”

Shaarawi attributes Egypt’s success to “rigorous training, innovative tactics and, most importantly, the unshakeable faith of the Egyptian soldier in victory.”

Shaarawi also spoke about the gruelling training regimen for airborne reconnaissance crews during the war preparation period.

“Pilots and support crews rested for no more than eight hours a day, including meals and sleep. They undertook theoretical training and practical flying exercises. Reconnaissance missions were unique, they required specialised equipment on the ground, including photo development laboratories and electronic data extraction devices.”

The lieutenant general concluded with a salute to the “October generation, both the martyrs and the survivors”. And directing a message to the youth of today, he urged them to “grasp the challenges of the present”.

“The key to success in life now and in the future is knowledge, and the true ammunition of our nation lies in its youth. They are our greatest asset.”

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* A version of this article appears in print in the 3 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly