Egyptian paratrooper, Major General Jamal Jadou, has shared his experiences during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, providing insight into the events leading up to and during the conflict. Jadou, a member of the 38th Paratrooper Battalion, 182nd Paratrooper Brigade, revealed that he enlisted in the Egyptian military in 1972 and underwent training at the Infantry School and Paratrooper Training Center.
Jadou's military journey began with his enlistment in 1972, followed by training at the Infantry School and Paratrooper Training Center. He was assigned to the 38th Paratrooper Battalion, 182nd Paratrooper Brigade, where he developed skills as a paratrooper and gained experience with anti-tank missiles. Jadou mentioned that his unit was on high alert in the months leading up to the war but was not informed of the exact date of the conflict.
On October 6, 1973, Jadou's unit received a yellow envelope sealed with red wax, which contained classified orders. The orders instructed them to move to the Rubiki area, where they awaited further instructions. Upon receiving a radio message from the brigade commander, they opened the envelope and learned of their mission to cross the Suez Canal. Jadou's unit successfully crossed the canal and advanced into Sinai, encountering minimal resistance.
Jadou described the intense fighting that took place on October 7, 1973, as Israeli forces attempted to counterattack. His unit destroyed several Israeli tanks and armored vehicles, forcing the enemy to retreat. The paratroopers also engaged Israeli aircraft, downing four planes with shoulder-fired missiles. Jadou's unit continued to advance, overcoming obstacles and fortified positions.
On October 8, 1973, Jadou's unit faced increased Israeli air attacks, resulting in the martyrdom of his battalion commander, Major Sharif Ahmed Sami. Despite the challenges, Jadou's unit persevered, and he took on a leadership role, helping to repel Israeli attacks. The unit continued to push forward, clearing the area of Israeli forces.
Jadou recounted a critical moment on October 10, 1973, when he helped rescue his wounded commander, Captain Yahia Hanafi. Jadou rushed to Hanafi's location, finding him buried under sand, and managed to free him. Hanafi later recovered and wrote about his experiences in a memoir. Jadou's unit continued to engage Israeli forces, destroying several tanks and armored vehicles.
In the final stages of the war, Jadou's unit received orders to withdraw to the west bank of the Suez Canal. He described the confusion surrounding these orders, which seemed to contradict their progress and gains. Despite this, Jadou's unit continued to play a significant role in the conflict, contributing to the Egyptian military's successes.
Key points
- Egyptian paratrooper recounts 1973 war experience, providing insight into key moments and decisions made during the conflict.
- Jadou's unit successfully crossed the Suez Canal and advanced into Sinai, encountering minimal resistance.
- Jadou's unit destroyed several Israeli tanks and armored vehicles, forcing the enemy to retreat.
