23 авг 1948 г. - Operation Avak

Описание:

Operation Avak, or "Operation Dust," was a key Israeli military and logistical effort during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War's second truce. Launched on August 23, 1948, the operation aimed to supply the Israeli enclave in the northwestern Negev desert by air and involved constructing a suitable airfield at Ruhama. Running until October 21, the operation resulted in 417 flights that transported 2,235 tons of supplies and 1,911 people to the Negev, while evacuating 5,098 individuals.

This operation was necessitated by the failure of previous attempts to connect the Negev with Israel, specifically Operations An-Far and Death to the Invader. With the Negev effectively cut off by Egyptian forces positioned along the Majdal – Bayt Jibrin road, the situation in the enclave became increasingly dire, culminating in a critical shortage of supplies by mid-August 1948.

Avak used various aircraft types, including Douglas C-54 Skymasters and Lockheed Constellations, making the first landing at the newly created Ruhama Airfield on August 23, which stirred up significant dust, hence the operation's name. The airfield was quickly equipped with necessary facilities, allowing for an increased pace of supply flights. By the operation's end, the IAF had significantly bolstered its capacity, conducting multiple flights daily.

Concurrently, the Yiftach Brigade, replacing the exhausted Negev Brigade, secured the airfield's surroundings against Egyptian attacks, notably at Khirbet Mahaz. Despite fierce battles for control of strategic points near the airfield, Israeli forces maintained their positions, enabling continuous air operations.

Operation Avak played a crucial role in sustaining the Israeli forces in the Negev until a permanent land corridor was established with Operation Yoav, showcasing the strategic use of air logistics in maintaining connectivity and combat effectiveness in isolated enclaves during wartime.

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