By Sarah Saad
Maj. Gen. Nasr Salem, former head of the Egyptian army’ Reconnaissance Administration, has highlighted the strategic importance of what came to be known as the ‘Chinese Farm’ battle, a major encounter between the Egyptian and Israeli armies during the October 1973 war.
The battle, he said, played a decisive role in foiling attempts by Israeli forces to infiltrate Egyptian lines after Egyptian troops succeeded in crossing the Suez Canal.
Gen. Salem added that the Chinese Farm, located east of the Suez Canal, was under the control of the Egyptian 16th Mechanized Infantry Division.
According to the war documents, Israel sought to create a gap between the Second and Third field armies on the eastern bank of the canal to pave the way for its armoured forces to cross the canal, using floating bridges.
He noted that the Israeli 143rd Armoured Division, led by Gen. Ariel Sharon, was tasked with cutting off supply lines to the Egyptian Third Army, which led to the outbreak of the Battle of the Chinese Farm.
Thanks to the surprising nature of the attack and careful planning, Egyptian forces were able to confront the Israeli forces, which prompted them to withdraw and turn towards the south to carry out another battle in the Defersoir area, Gen. Salem said.
He cited statements by former Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Dayan who visited the battle site on October 17, 1973, accompanied by Gen. Sharon.
Dayan, he said, expressed shock when he saw the huge damage that happened to Israeli military equipment.
He added that the Israeli defence chief described those moments as ‘some of the most difficult’ he had ever experienced.
Dayan also revealed in his memoirs a conversation with Col. Uzi Yairi, the commander of the Israeli paratroopers, who expressed deep sadness over the heavy losses sustained by the Israeli army then, Gen. Salem said.
He pointed out that the Battle of Defersoir was one of 200 battles fought by Egyptian forces during the October War.
The Israeli army hoped to achieve strategic gains by crossing towards the west of the canal, he said.
That was why a controversy arose because the Egyptian counterattacks inflicted great damage on Israel, he added.
Gen. Salem noted that Egypt’s plan was to liberate all Egyptian territories, including the straits.
The most important lesson we learned from the October War was the role moral wills play in achieving victory, even in the light of material challenges, Gen. Salem said.
That strong will was a decisive factor in confronting challenges and rebuilding the capabilities of the Egyptian state, he added.
He added that the October War changed the concept of strategic surprise internationally.
Egypt succeeded in achieving strategic superiority by carrying out an unexpected attack, which forced Israel to surrender, Gen. Salem said.
This made it easy for Egypt to end Israeli occupation of Sinai, he told the Egyptian Mail.
