IDF Veterans Recount Sinai's Battle of Mitla Pass 70 Years Later
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
IDF veterans are recounting the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Mitla Pass during Operation Kadesh in the Sinai. The battle, marked by intense fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, remains a subject of debate regarding command decisions. Veterans shared personal accounts of the ambush, the challenges faced, and the bravery displayed. The conflict resulted in 38 IDF soldiers killed and 120 wounded, with the operation concluding shortly after with the capture of Sharm El Sheikh.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IDF veterans shared recollections of the Battle of Mitla Pass 70 years after Operation Kadesh.
- The battle involved intense fighting in the Sinai mountains with significant casualties.
- Veterans debated command decisions and the necessity of the costly engagement.
- 38 IDF soldiers were killed and 120 wounded during the Battle of Mitla Pass.
- The battle is remembered as a heroic but controversial event in IDF history.
Seventy years after the Battle of Mitla Pass during Operation Kadesh, paratrooper veterans are sharing their experiences of the intense fighting in the Sinai mountains. The battle, a pivotal event in the IDF's history, is remembered for acts of bravery and camaraderie but also sparks debate over command decisions and the heavy cost.
David Ben-Uziel, who served as a battalion adjutant, recalled how the paratroopers' landing zone was shifted eastward due to a mistaken identification of Egyptian workers as a military unit. He described the initial confusion regarding the exact drop zone and the subsequent digging of trenches under the threat of Egyptian aircraft. Ben-Uziel also mentioned receiving intelligence about an Egyptian armored brigade's retreat through Mitla Pass, a threat that ultimately did not materialize.
During a consultation on October 31, Arik Sharon reportedly advised Motta Gur that remaining exposed at the pass was untenable, suggesting a move to the western side for better control. However, as Gur's convoy entered the narrow canyon, they were ambushed by five Egyptian commando companies hidden in the rocks. The ensuing crossfire paralyzed the convoy with burning vehicles, preventing any effective return fire.
Fighter Avsha Adam recounted leading his men in clearing Egyptian positions under intense fire, describing the loss of a comrade and his own subsequent leadership. He detailed the difficult, close-quarters combat, advancing position by position and understanding the futility of frontal assaults against Egyptian machine guns. Adam noted that despite a request for reinforcements, he advised against sending more troops to avoid further casualties, eventually linking up with Motta Gur's forces after nearly two hours of fighting.
Paratrooper officer Levi Chofesh, who was involved in clearing Egyptian strongholds along the southern route, described the battle's scale and intensity. Yaakov Tzur, an artillery officer with a commanding view, prepared his cannons for potential engagement. Although he observed the Egyptian ambush and the IDF force's difficulties, Tzur was denied permission to provide artillery support due to uncertainty about friendly troop locations, a decision he believes was a significant error.
The battle concluded on November 1, with 38 IDF soldiers killed and 120 wounded, while the Egyptians suffered approximately 260 fatalities. Operation Kadesh concluded four days later with the capture of Sharm El Sheikh. Decades later, the debate over the battle's necessity and adherence to orders continues, though veterans like Ben-Uziel emphasize the on-the-ground decisions made for soldier welfare.