20 июл 1969 г. - Operation Boxer

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Operation Boxer was a significant aerial offensive conducted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) along the Suez Canal in July 1969, marking a key moment in the War of Attrition between Israel and Egypt. The operation was designed to demonstrate Israeli air superiority and inflict substantial damage on Egyptian military positions.

Background
Following the 1967 Six-Day War, tensions remained high, with Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser seeking to regain lost territory and restore national pride. In September 1967, the Arab states adopted the "Three Nos" policy, which rejected peace, recognition, or negotiations with Israel. Nasser's strategy involved escalating hostilities along the Suez Canal through artillery duels, commando raids, and increased shelling, leading to the formal start of the War of Attrition on March 8, 1969.

Israel aimed to shift the balance by showcasing its aerial power and weakening Egyptian defenses. The operation was part of a broader strategy to disrupt Egyptian positions and bolster Israeli military morale.

Operation Bulmus 6 Precursor
Before launching Operation Boxer, the IDF sought to neutralize early-warning radar and electronic intelligence (ELINT) facilities on Green Island. This island, located near the southern end of the Suez Canal, was heavily fortified and posed a threat to Israeli aircraft. Operation Bulmus 6 on July 19, 1969, successfully destroyed the island's defenses, clearing the way for Operation Boxer.

Operation Boxer Overview
Boxer 1
Date: July 20, 1969
Objective: Strike Egyptian positions and air defenses.
Execution:
The operation began with a coordinated strike by IAF Mirages and Skyhawks targeting an SA-2 missile battery west of Port Said. Israeli aircraft successfully disabled the radar and destroyed the battery.
The IAF then conducted a comprehensive assault on Egyptian positions, with various aircraft types including A-4 Skyhawks, Super Mysteres, and Mirages.
By 17:00, the IAF had completed 171 sorties and dropped around 200 tons of explosives.
Egyptian air defenses were initially caught off guard, but the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) later launched retaliatory strikes, leading to dogfights where several Egyptian aircraft were downed, including MiG-17s and MiG-21s. Israeli losses included two Mirages.
Boxer 2
Date: July 24, 1969
Objective: Continue strikes against Egyptian positions.
Execution:
The day started with an attack on an Egyptian radar station at Gebel Ataka by Mirages.
Subsequent strikes targeted SAM sites and anti-aircraft artillery.
The IAF carried out 161 sorties, with Mirages once again engaging Egyptian aircraft, downing several Su-7s and MiG-21s.
Subsequent Boxers
Boxer 3 to Boxer 6:
Dates: July 25-28, 1969
The IAF continued its offensive with additional strikes, including nighttime operations.
Boxer 4 saw continued attacks with no significant losses on either side.
Boxer 5 and Boxer 6 included further assaults on Egyptian positions, with the IAF maintaining pressure.
Aftermath
Impact:
The operation inflicted significant damage on Egyptian military infrastructure and air defenses, with the IAF flying around 500 sorties and causing substantial damage.
Egyptian losses were estimated at approximately 300 soldiers. Despite the tactical success, the operation did not achieve a strategic breakthrough. Egypt managed to recover and the fighting resumed with even greater intensity.
Operation Boxer illustrated the IAF’s evolving role as a "flying artillery" and highlighted the ongoing conflict’s nature. The operation intensified the war and underscored the limitations of air power alone in achieving long-term strategic objectives.
Significance:
Operation Boxer demonstrated the IAF's capability to conduct large-scale, effective aerial operations and inflicted notable damage on Egyptian positions. However, it did not lead to a decisive shift in the War of Attrition, which continued with intensified fighting until the eventual 1970 cease-fire.

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