Yom Kippur War Hero Nahum Zaken's Battle for Suez Detailed

Nahum Zaken, a reluctant hero of the Yom Kippur War, commanded a tank battalion in one of the conflict's most brutal and controversial battles: the fight for the city of Suez. His unit suffered heavy casualties, losing 34 soldiers killed and 138 wounded, in a fierce engagement that deeply impacted Zaken.

Zaken's story, largely unknown to the Israeli public, is being highlighted amid the current trauma of the October 7th attacks, serving as a reminder of past failures in national defense. Born in Kurdistan in 1940, Zaken immigrated to Israel in 1951 and grew up in immigrant camps before joining the Armored Corps in 1958. He rose through the ranks to command a battalion, fighting in battles at the Bitter Lakes and Ismailia before the critical Suez engagement.

The decision to enter Suez was made hastily, lacking crucial intelligence, proper battle procedures, or adequate preparation for urban warfare, even lacking proper maps. Zaken's battalion entered the city's main street just before the ceasefire, aiming to cut off the Egyptian Third Army's supply lines and encircle its forces. Within 90 minutes, 16 company commanders were killed, decimating the central command structure and resulting in approximately 50% casualties for the fighting force. The battalion fought in isolation for hours until a force led by Ehud Barak arrived to extract them, leaving behind five of his seven tanks.

Despite the heavy cost, Zaken's battalion succeeded in securing the main street to the port, a mission he believes was crucial for Israel's negotiating position leading to the ceasefire. He contrasts this with the Battle of Stalingrad, where the Germans failed to capture the city, arguing that in Suez, the IDF completed its objective. Zaken, who received the Medal of Courage for his bravery, acknowledges the Egyptian claim of inflicting heavy losses, stating, "They are right. Indeed, the price in this bloody battle was unbearable." He also reflects on the surprise Egyptian infiltration into Sinai, calling it a "colossal failure" of Israeli intelligence and preparedness.

Zaken wrote his book, "Suez is Not Stalingrad," 48 years after the war to set the record straight for the families of the fallen and to process the traumatic events. He is currently working on a book about leadership based on his experiences.