Talk:Bar Lev Line

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[edit] Questionable statement

"The $500 million line named after Israeli Chief of Staff Haim Bar-Lev was the longest (about 160 KM) and strongest forward defense line in the history of warfare." - I find this statement more than a little fishy. I'll wager that both the Maginot line and the Siegfried Line were longer and stronger. →Raul654 18:56, 11 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Questionable statement

"in the end Israel has won the war despite the early shock." Does any reputable war historian claim that Israel outright "won" the war? won the war sinia is controlled by egypt no more question asked no more who won its over the winner is who controles sinia and its not Israel.

The Israelis won the war and secured control of the Sinai and in fact surrounded the Third Army on the West Side of the Canal. What happened latter is a victory for peace for both sides, because Egypt and Israel have not fought since then. Saltysailor (talk) 02:25, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] comments on the Line

The lines primary purpose was to make it difficult for the Egyptians to cross the canal or to harass the Israelis on the East Side. It was not intended to be a major element in stopping an Egyptian attack. Israel depended on intelligence and reconnaissance to determine when their might be an attack. The Main failure was that neither prompted the IDF to call up reserves and mobilize. The Egyptian plan of attack was brilliant, taking advantage of Israel's weaknesses. An important ingredients to the cross canal operations was the use of new Soviet missiles. The anti- armor missiles dealt with the Israels tanks and the anti-aircraft missiles prevented use of planes. Tanks and planes were to be Israel's first response to an attack, slowing an enemy until the reserves could be called up. Fortifications were overcome because the Israelis could not bring tanks and planes to bear. So many ant-tank missiles were fired that the battlefields east of the canal the wire guided missiles sometimes left a mesh on the desert floor. The IDF eventually realized the futility of attacking against the missiles and stayed out of the Egyptian anti-aircraft missile umbrella. At the largest tank battle since Kursk, the Egyptian offense ground down and the Israelis under Sharon counterattacked. Saltysailor (talk) 02:25, 2 May 2008 (UTC)