Changes

By July 2, a plan had been formulated, involving flying a rescue force to Entebbe, overcoming the Ugandan troops and terrorists, and then flying out to Kenya.  

By July 2, a plan had been formulated, involving flying a rescue force to Entebbe, overcoming the Ugandan troops and terrorists, and then flying out to Kenya.  

A life size mock-up was built of the airport, and Sayeret Matkal began rehearsing the mission. Israeli Air Force C-130 crews began rehearsing landing their aircraft in complete darkness - the runway would not be lit on their arrival at Entebbe. Knowing that the aircraft could not be taxied right up to the hostage location, they acquired a Mercedes limousine which they intended to drive off the ramp of the C-130's, and, accompanied by Land Rovers, pass off as a Ugandan V.I.P. convoy. It would not fool the Ugandans for very long, but in the confusion it was hoped it would give the commandos enough time to maintain the element of surprise. The Mercedes they acquired was white, so they painted it black to look more like Amin's own limousine.  

A life size mock-up was built of the airport, and Sayeret Matkal began rehearsing the mission. Israeli Air Force [[C-130 Hercules]] crews began rehearsing landing their aircraft in complete darkness - the runway would not be lit on their arrival at Entebbe. Knowing that the aircraft could not be taxied right up to the hostage location, they acquired a Mercedes limousine which they intended to drive off the ramp of the C-130's, and, accompanied by Land Rovers, pass off as a Ugandan V.I.P. convoy. It would not fool the Ugandans for very long, but in the confusion it was hoped it would give the commandos enough time to maintain the element of surprise. The Mercedes they acquired was white, so they painted it black to look more like Amin's own limousine.  

The mission required three C-130's to land at Entebbe, with a fourth flying with them in reserve, plus two Boeing 707's which would not be landing at Entebbe. One would serve as a passenger transport for the hostages once they reached Kenya, and the other was converted into a flying medical facility. The rescue force would consist of only 35 commandos, some drawn from the Paratroopers and the Golani Infantry brigade, and some essential support personnel.

The mission required three C-130's to land at Entebbe, with a fourth flying with them in reserve, plus two Boeing 707's which would not be landing at Entebbe. One would serve as a passenger transport for the hostages once they reached Kenya, and the other was converted into a flying medical facility. The rescue force would consist of only 35 commandos, some drawn from the Paratroopers and the Golani Infantry brigade, and some essential support personnel.