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'''The [[Yom Kippur]] War''' was fought between [[Israel]], [[Egypt]], and [[Syria]].  The war commenced on October 6, 1973 when Egyptian mechanized divisions crossed the [[Suez Canal]] by using a series of pressurized water cannons to demolish sand walls on the opposite side of the canal, and then crossing on pontoon bridges.  This was concurrent to a Syrian advance into the [[Golan Heights]].  The date was chosen because Yom Kippur is a sacred holiday for the [[Jews]], and many Israeli army were stood down during that time.  The delay in mobilization, and the lack of a preemptive strike against Egyptian and Syrian forces allowed the initial success of these advances.

'''The [[Yom Kippur]] War''' was fought between [[Israel]], [[Egypt]], and [[Syria]].  The war commenced on October 6, 1973 when Egyptian mechanized divisions crossed the [[Suez Canal]] by using a series of pressurized water cannons to demolish sand walls on the opposite side of the canal, and then crossing on pontoon bridges.  This was concurrent to a Syrian advance into the [[Golan Heights]].  The date was chosen because Yom Kippur is a sacred holiday for the [[Jews]], and many Israeli army were stood down during that time.  The delay in mobilization, and the lack of a preemptive strike against Egyptian and Syrian forces allowed the initial success of these advances.

At first, the Israeli counterattack was focussed primarily against the forces in the Golan Heights as these were much closer to Israel proper, whereas the Egyptian forces in the [[Sinai peninsula]] were not as immediate a threat.  Initial counterattacks against both armies were ineffective because the Israelis were hugely outnumbered in armor, although the Egyptians and Syrians were fielding obsolete [[Russian]] [[tanks]] as opposed to the more modern European and [[American]] tanks fielded by Israel.  To counter this advantage, the [[Arab]] armies armed their soldiers with Russian anti-tank weapons.  Additionally, both armies used fixed [[SAM]] emplacements, and avoided leaving the coverage of this air umbrella, thus blunting the offensive power of the Israeli [[air force]].

At first, the Israeli counterattack was focussed primarily against the forces in the Golan Heights as these were much closer to Israel proper, whereas the Egyptian forces in the [[Sinai peninsula]] were not as immediate a threat.  Initial counterattacks against both armies were ineffective because the Israelis were hugely outnumbered in armor, although the Egyptians and Syrians were fielding obsolete [[Russia]]n [[tanks]] as opposed to the more modern European and [[American]] tanks fielded by Israel.  To counter this advantage, the [[Arab]] armies armed their soldiers with Russian anti-tank weapons.  Additionally, both armies used fixed [[SAM]] emplacements, and avoided leaving the coverage of this air umbrella, thus blunting the offensive power of the Israeli [[air force]].

Facing defeat, the Israelis implored the [[United States]] for military aid, as the Europeans refused to assist under threat of an Arab [[oil]] embargo.  The [[United States]] airlifted a large number of tanks and aircraft into Israel, thus replacing Israeli losses.  Because of the influx of materiel, the Israelis were able to commit their forces to a renewed offensive posture, overwhelming the older Egyptian and Syrian divisions.

Facing defeat, the Israelis implored the [[United States]] for military aid, as the Europeans refused to assist under threat of an Arab [[oil]] embargo.  The [[United States]] airlifted a large number of tanks and aircraft into Israel, thus replacing Israeli losses.  Because of the influx of materiel, the Israelis were able to commit their forces to a renewed offensive posture, overwhelming the older Egyptian and Syrian divisions.