nov 2, 1956 - Battle of Abu Ageila

Description:

Colonel Yehuda Wallach commanded the 38th Ugdah during Operation Kadesh, tasked with seizing Qusaymah, Umm Qatef, and Abu Ageila. Wallach, an experienced infantry commander, led two reserve infantry brigades (4th and 10th) and the 7th Armored Brigade, with additional artillery and engineer support. He could seek assistance from Brigadier General Assaf Simhoni and the 37th Mechanized-Armored Brigade if needed.

For the first phase, Dayan instructed the 4th Infantry Brigade, led by Colonel Joseph Harpaz, to capture Qusaymah by the morning of October 30. The 10th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Colonel Shmuel Goder, was to take observation posts and capture Umm Qatef's main defenses by November 1, with tank support from the 7th Armored Brigade, led by Colonel Uri Ben-Ari. The 7th Armored Brigade included two tank battalions (9th with AMX-13s and 82nd with Sherman M-4s), two infantry battalions, a reconnaissance company, and artillery units.

The Israeli forces, numbering around 12,000 men and 100 tanks, faced a smaller Egyptian force of about 3,500 men at Abu Ageila and Qusaymah, with no tanks. The Israelis held a significant advantage in both manpower and weaponry.

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