By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    architecture House Zero in Austin, Texas, is a 2,000-square-foot home that was built with 3D-printed concrete. Lake Flato Architects
    3D printing promises to transform architecture forever – and create forms that blow today’s buildings out of the water
    April 2, 2023
    CBE considers raising banks' reserve requirement
    Central Bank of Egypt considers raising banks’ reserve requirement
    April 1, 2023
    Banks discuss amending interest rates on their savings, loan products
    Banks discuss amending interest rates on their savings, loan products
    April 1, 2023
    Egypt, EU discuss cooperation in economy, migration
    Egypt, EU discuss cooperation in economy, migration
    April 1, 2023
    Hermes Brokerage tightens its grip on EGX trading in 1Q 2023
    Hermes Brokerage tightens its grip on EGX trading in 1Q 2023
    April 1, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Egyptian president Sisi says fight against terrorism not less significant than Egypt's October War victory
    Egyptian president says fight against terrorism not less significant than October War victory
    April 2, 2023
    Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years
    Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years
    April 2, 2023
    Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
    Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
    April 1, 2023
    Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
    Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
    April 1, 2023
    Ugandan president says peacekeepers will help stabilize eastern DR Congo
    Ugandan president says peacekeepers will help stabilize eastern DR Congo
    March 31, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Developers have to offer innovative products, state should provide more facilities to stimulate industry: Kareem Mamoun
    Developers have to offer innovative products, state should provide more facilities to stimulate industry: Kareem Mamoun
    March 27, 2023
    Government should help Egyptian arts revive its pioneering role: Omar Abdel Aziz
    Government should help Egyptian arts revive its pioneering role: Omar Abdel Aziz
    March 15, 2023
    Interconnected healthcare systems in Africa require political will from North African leaders: Amref official
    Interconnected healthcare systems in Africa require political will from North African leaders: Amref official
    March 12, 2023
    EGX ready for government’s IPOs programme: Chairperson
    EGX ready for government’s IPOs programme: Chairperson
    February 15, 2023
    British International Investment invests $4.5bn in 700 businesses across Africa: Sherine Shohdy
    February 15, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: October War hero reveals facts, secrets
Share
Notification
Latest News
architecture House Zero in Austin, Texas, is a 2,000-square-foot home that was built with 3D-printed concrete. Lake Flato Architects
3D printing promises to transform architecture forever – and create forms that blow today’s buildings out of the water
Real Estate Culture
Succession recap: season 4, episode 1, "The Munsters"
Succession season 4: Powerhouse ensemble drama masterfully sets up series finale in first episode
Lifestyle
Egyptian president Sisi says fight against terrorism not less significant than Egypt's October War victory
Egyptian president says fight against terrorism not less significant than October War victory
Politics Egypt
Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years
Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years
Egypt Politics
The Secret Behind Lobna Wanas’ Younger Appearance in “Jaafar El Omda”
Cinema Egypt
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Egypt > October War hero reveals facts, secrets
EgyptPolitics

October War hero reveals facts, secrets

Nehal Samir
Last updated: 2017/10/09 at 4:55 PM
By Nehal Samir 6 Min Read
Share
SHARE

Forty-four years passed since the Egyptian army defeated the Israeli army, reclaimed Sinai, and put an end to the myth of the invincible army.

Meanwhile, there are still a lot of war secrets we do not know, and each year the Egyptian and Israeli sides bring out of their coffers new ones.

Daily News Egypt interviewed one of the October War heroes, Mohamed Mashally, former captain and company commander of shock troops, who revealed new tales from the war.

Describe for us the status of the military after the 1967 setback?

The military was disappointed and wanted to take revenge. When we were crossing the Suez Canal, we were looking forward to victory or martyrdom.

When did preparations for the October War begin?

It began after the 1967 War defeat. During these six years, the Egyptian army trained viciously.

Tell us in depth your role in the war.

I was a captain and a company commander of shock troops.

For me, I crossed at 3.15pm on 6 October.

We crossed by amphibious vehicles, and we occupied Kabrit base, which was one of the most important bases for the Israelis during the war; moreover, it was a strong fortified base.

We attacked it. Many battles ensued, where many soldiers of our side were martyred or injured until we finally managed to occupy the base.

At that time, Colonel Ibrahim Abdel Tawwab was the battalion commander.

Did you have any prior knowledge of when the war would break out?

No, but as an officer, I felt that the war would break out soon, as any war in is preceded with many preparations or actions. No one would understand these preparations unless he is an officer.

Why did the military choose 6 October as the day of the war?

6 October 1973 was “Yom Kippur”, a Jewish holiday, so the Israelis would not think about war, as working on this day is forbidden. So the timing 2pm shocked them, because it is known that any war begins at dusk or dawn.

Meanwhile, 6 October 1973 was the 10th of Ramadan, so the moonlight was almost at its strongest, since it was almost a full moon.

Destroying the Bar Lev Line was an impressive feat. Could you tell us where the military got this idea from?

A reserved first lieutenant was the one who suggested the idea of destroying the line by using water pumps. We then began studying this idea and made many trials in other places far from the line.

I have read before in an Israeli website that the Egyptian military was playing football on the Suez Canal to mislead the Israelis that the Egyptians are not ready for war. Could you shed light on that?

Former President Anwar Al-Sadat published in the national newspaper that a large number of military officers are going to do the minor pilgrimage to Mecca.

Moreover, some troops went to the Suez Canal and played football there.

Those on the battlefront (before and during the war) also spoke in Nubian, even when they spoke on the walkie talkie—so that if the Israelis were trying to monitor or spy on the conversations, they would be unable to decipher what was being said.

What are some unforgettable memories from the war? 

There were many Egyptian military shelters or bunkers in west Sinai. When I moved to the west with a soldier to bring food to the rest of the battalion from the Egyptian farmers, who were always willing to give us food. We found an empty shelter, so we decided to enter. Inside, we found many boxes of food. Moreover, we found on a table a small copy of the Holy Qur’an, which I have until now.

One of the lovely memories also is Ahmed el Badawy’s visit to us in Kabrit when he knew we depend on farmers for food. He visited us and provided us with all the logistics.

The best memory, of course, is the moment of victory.

What was the most difficult moment in the war?

The moment when a brother, a colleague of ours was martyred. I can’t express my feelings. It is indescribable, a mix between being happy for his martyrdom and being sad I would never see him again.

Al-Sadat’s assassination was in the 8th celebration of the October War. How do you see this scene?

The Muslim Brotherhood liked to harass Egyptians on important national holidays or dates. Meanwhile, the October War victory is a great achievement to Egypt, so they decided to assassinate the president—it is their norm. Moreover, this reflects their hater for Egypt.

What do you think of the current political situation in Egypt, especially that of Sinai?

Egypt is now on the right track. Meanwhile, Egypt is making many purging operations to rid itself of terrorists.

One of the greatest achievements is that the Egyptian army in general and the shock troops in specific have declared their  complete control over the area of Al-Halal Mountain after purging all the caves and arrested many terrorists.

You Might Also Like

Egyptian president says fight against terrorism not less significant than October War victory

Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years

The Secret Behind Lobna Wanas’ Younger Appearance in “Jaafar El Omda”

Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study

Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry

TAGGED: Mohamed Mashally, October War
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Siemens train 5,500 Egyptian technicians and engineers over next four years
Next Article Non-resident capital inflows to MENA to peak at USD 62 billion in 2017 backed by Egypt-report
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

architecture House Zero in Austin, Texas, is a 2,000-square-foot home that was built with 3D-printed concrete. Lake Flato Architects
3D printing promises to transform architecture forever – and create forms that blow today’s buildings out of the water
Real Estate Culture
Succession recap: season 4, episode 1, "The Munsters"
Succession season 4: Powerhouse ensemble drama masterfully sets up series finale in first episode
Lifestyle
Egyptian president Sisi says fight against terrorism not less significant than Egypt's October War victory
Egyptian president says fight against terrorism not less significant than October War victory
Politics Egypt
Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years
Syrian FM visits Egypt for 1st time in over 10 years
Egypt Politics
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?