Sinai Campaign, 1967
Sinai Campaign, 1967
“Operation Focus”1 sees Israeli jets2 streaking,
Attacking Arab fighter jets and air force bases,
Thus attaining dominance over Middle Eastern skies,
While IDF3 ground divisions launch into action.
Israeli tanks (Pattons, Shermans, and Centurions)
Blitzkrieg4 Arab defensive installations.
Clouds of sand billow in their wake as commanders unfurl
The Magen David (the Star of David) above the turrets.
Like a lion cornered without a path for escape,
Instinct and preservation compel Judah to retaliate.
Arab intolerance, harassment, and ceaseless hatred
Have caused Israel to unleash preemptive strike tactics.
They combat Egyptian-manned, Soviet-made AFVs5
Dug into the Sinai, a fatal blunder in tank strategy;
The steel-tracked machines’ immobility is self-defeating,
Whereas Israel is cunning in speed and maneuvering.
Guns pound entrenched Egyptian defences day in and day out.
Burning tanks with burnt corpses and steel are strewn about
As the sanctity of life wavers on the sands of the Sahara.
Toward Mecca, the Cairenes weep and prostrate in prayer.
Egyptian morale and health wither from engagement;
Despondent soldiers abandon uniforms and equipment
And surrender en masse to the victors of the war,
While others flee the scene on foot to Cairo.
Though outnumbered, Zion has prevailed.
After six days of war, the UAR is humiliated.
The “Star of David” waves in Jerusalem,
And the Straits of Tiran6 reopen.
***
Notes:
1 Operation Focus (Moked): This was the code name used by the Israelis for their preemptive air strike against the UAR (United Arab Republic) that began the “Six-Day War.”
United Arab Republic (UAR): The United Arab Republic was a political union between Egypt and Syria in 1958. In 1961, Syria split from the coalition, and Egypt continued to use the name until 1971, when it was changed back following the death of its president, Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918–1970).
Six-Day War (3rd Arab-Israeli War): The “Six-Day War” was fought from June 5 to June 10, 1967. The Arab alliance, which consisted of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, engaged in war with the Israeli armed forces.
2 Israeli jets: Israeli jets consisted mainly of French Dassault Mirages and Super Mystere. The Americans would not sell aircraft to Israel.
Arab jets: Arab jets consisted mainly of Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiGs and Russian Tupolev and Ilyushin bombers.
3 Israel Defense Forces (IDF): “The army of defense of Israel” includes ground forces, an air force, and a navy.
4 Blitzkrieg: Blitzkrieg was a term coined by the British to describe Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, which began World War II (Blitz: lightning or flash; Krieg: war).
5 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles): Egypt, Syria, and Iraq employed the Soviet T-54 and T-55 main battle tanks, whereas Israel used American Pattons and Shermans, and British Centurions.
6 Straits of Tiran: In May 1967, Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol (1895–1969) repeated Israeli declarations made in 1957, stating that closure of the Straits of Tiran would be an act of war. Egypt blockaded the straits on May 22, 1967. President Nasser of the UAR announced from an airbase in the Sinai Desert, "If Israel wishes to threaten war, we tell her, ‘You are welcome.’" Israel responded with preemptive strikes.
President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973) of the U.S.A. said, “If a single act of folly was more responsible for this explosion than any other it was the arbitrary and dangerous announced decision that the Straits of Tiran would be closed. The right of innocent, maritime passage must be preserved for all nations.”
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment