30 lugl 1970 anni - Operation Rimon 20

Descrizione:

Rimon 20 (July 30, 1970) was a key aerial battle during the War of Attrition, where the Israeli Air Force (IAF) confronted Soviet pilots stationed in Egypt. The IAF's goal was to demonstrate its intolerance for direct Soviet involvement.

In the battle, four Israeli Mirage IIIs entered Egyptian airspace under the guise of a reconnaissance mission. Soviet MiG-21s were scrambled, and as they engaged the Mirages, they were ambushed by Israeli F-4 Phantoms and additional Mirages. The battle ended with five Soviet MiG-21s downed and no Israeli losses. The Soviets, embarrassed by their defeat, kept the incident quiet.

Background: Egypt’s War of Attrition aimed to wear down Israeli forces. By early 1970, the Israeli Air Force dominated the skies. Egypt sought Soviet help, resulting in the deployment of Soviet air defense forces, including MiG-21s and SAM batteries. Soviet participation threatened Israeli air superiority, leading Israel to consider a direct confrontation.

Israeli Response: Realizing that their restraint policy was failing, Israel decided to take on the Soviets to restore morale and assert air superiority. Operation Rimon 20 was planned to ambush the Soviet fighters, with precise coordination involving experienced pilots from various IAF squadrons.

Battle Details: The operation commenced with a raid on an Egyptian radar station, followed by a feigned reconnaissance mission by the Mirages. Soviet MiGs were drawn into a trap where Israeli aircraft engaged in a close-quarters dogfight. Despite initial confusion, Israeli pilots achieved notable success. The engagement lasted about three minutes before all aircraft disengaged.

Aftermath: The true details of the battle emerged later, with Israel claiming four downed Egyptian aircraft initially. Eventually, it was revealed that five Soviet planes were lost. The Soviet Union sent reinforcements and prepared a counter-ambush, leading to the loss and damage of additional Israeli aircraft. Despite the victory, Rimon 20 did not alter the war's trajectory. The conflict ended with a ceasefire on August 7, 1970, influenced by escalating tensions and American diplomatic efforts.

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