The Israeli bridge helped 1973 to first crossing of Suez Canal "Operation Gazelle"

[Yahia Al Shaer]

The Israeli bridge helped 1973 to first crossing of Suez Canal
"Operation Gazelle"



Military history includes lots of surprises , not only in its later known "details", but also about the developments of specific actions during
the flow of war and their impacts on history.

Following are some of the available photos, about the Israeli Bridge, (a unique construction) , which was prepared long time before the crossing (even prior to the 1973 Yom Kippur war), as now known and is published .

Sure, there are and will be more photos to be published, of this unique military bridge, which impacts, have contributed to change history in the middle east

It was used by general Ariel Sharon , to cross the Suez Canal (at the Temsah Lake) on the night of 19th - 20th October 1973

Her had mentioned it in his book "Ariel Sharon , WARRIOR", but never published the photos, but another book had dealt with the topic in a
better and detaied matter.

I have read an article some-time ago, in a military forum , that israel has
developed and improved this bridge, to enlighten its weight and improve its field maneuverabilty, meet with the modern battlefield requirements
and to make it a global military equipment for "export".

It is useful to read , what general Sharon had published about the problems, they faced , not only to transport that bridge across the last section of Sinai desert but also when and how they moved it across the Suez Canal , from the eastern to the western bank .


Dr. Yahia Al Shaer


The Israeli bridge helped 1973 to first crossing of Suez Canal
"Operation Gazelle"


http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3308/71091380.jpg


http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1163/57649108.jpg


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4659/photo8z.jpg




a mobile bridge built by the idf on the suez canal.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/6296/anidfarmouredcarcrossin.jpg


an idf armoured car crossing the mobile bridge built by the idf on the suez canal.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/78/amobilebridgebuiltbythe.jpg



19.10.73 - the brigade crosses the canal.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5858/283w.jpg



http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/2710/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/2710/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/2710/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.jpg)


http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2710/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2710/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2710/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.jpg)


http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2886/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa7m.jpg


http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2886/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa7m.jpg (http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2886/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa7m.jpg)



http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2482/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.png

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2482/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.png (http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2482/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa8.png)


Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

The Israeli bridge helped 1973 to first crossing of Suez Canal
"Operation Gazelle"



http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3990/booksid1byksxt6tscpgpa7.jpg








http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4673/map03afr7.jpg





http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8750/e73053a09da06725acc9511.jpg


By Ariel Sharon






see pages 117 - 118

Arabs at war ,
arabs at war: Military effectiveness, 1948-1991
(studies in war, society, and the military
by kenneth m. Pollack


see page 380
page 380 of edward luttwak / dan horowitz book "the israeli army




http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/8008/theisraeliarmybookcoverik7.jpg


Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

Now to the facts ...

The bridge, had been there for months, prior the Yom Kippur... this means, that there had been a serious "planned intention" to cross the Suez Canal.

Taking into condsideration , the high costs to design, make and move the bridge, does imply ... an eventual crossing ...

This had not been a "Hit and Run" plan, but a steady intention to cross and secure the units , who will be the Bridge Heads .

Practiacally, a planned swift penetration and engulfing , destroying the defending missile wall , errected on the western side of the Suez Canal

In short, an operation to penetrate and occupy the area around the huge devresoir military base, after they have had implemented a quick preemptive attak and destroy helilanding.

Therefore, it is no wonder, that other thoughts, would pop up .. gradually
due to recent images of different phases of that war

The question ... or assumption ... or doubts .... and thoughts ...

Was it really a surprise on Yom Kippur , or ist it possibly a preplanned and long term calculated "limited war", to finish the old status and bring peace to the area .... ????

Honestly, I am tending to accept that idea ...

Give every one , what they need of a cake ... Egypt a limited victory , Israel a calculated defeat, then turn the course .... then stop the war
by USA as the strongest power to move things ahead in the area .. opposite to Russia ...

Then get USSR out of the Middle East .... and establish a new order, that will be followed, by a geochange of the map.

Limited sacrifice and loss of lives , for a definate peace between Egypt and Israel , which would be followed by other Arab states



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

To my amazement , which I can not overcome or understand , is "HOW the Egyptian Aerial Reconnaissance and Surveillance flights , failed to recognize that Roller Bridge", following are photos taken by the British Canberas over Port Said during the first days of November 1956, prior to the Para - and Amphebian Landings

We should take into consideration, that the techniques had been developed during the 18 years, that followed the date of these images both lenses and senstivity and precizion.

The first image , shows the southern part of Port Said internal basins Sherif and Abbas , as well as the Navy House HQ m and the Suez Canal Authority Hq and we see the internal canal , for the British CRMs 45 and Heli-Landing and the CRMs 40 and 42 amphibian landing on Tuesday 06 Novembar 1956., as well as advancing through the blocked Suez Canal passage way

We notice the clarity of details, so that we can see some boats in the suez canal

The second image, shows a further part, southern of Port Fouad, where the French Paras have landed and later a targeted advance target for the French amphibian landing on Monday 05 Novembar 1956 and Tuesday 06 Novembar 1956

The third image, is preparing the plan of the drop zone for the Britisha Paras on Monday 05 Novembar 1956


The fourth one, is of the beach area, dedicated for the British CRMs 40 and 42 amphibian landing on Tuesday 06 Novembar 1956


The last one, is of the city Port Said its self

I wish, I had some Areal Photos of that Israeli Roller Bridge in Sinai ...

It does not matter, if they were taken by Satalite or Israeli Reconnaisance and Survilance Aircarft.

Dr: Yahia Al Shaer


http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1773/sz0270.jpg

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8985/sz0266.jpg
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7262/sz0262.jpg
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/1411/sz0269.jpg


http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9159/sz0267.jpg

[Yahia Al Shaer]

The following photo, shows , the Israeli plan to cross the Suez Canal and penetrate and encircle the Egyptian positions in the vinicity.

It was taken during a presentation "persumigly by General Ariel Sharon" in an advanced tent, for the Israeli High Command.




http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3541/zz47794ix31.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3541/zz47794ix31.jpg)


Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

As you might know, i have pubblished this thread in many other forums. One of those, is the military photos, where many members have contributed with their comments, photos , hints and video clips.

Consequentlly this have developed the thread into a huge and a real good documentary thread.

As we all aim, at documenting history , in an objective way without prejudication, it is imperative to add the other info to the thread here as well.

One of the Germany members there, have contributed with excellent video clips and wanted in the course of discussions , that we discuss its functionality , which one of the video clips show, how unstable it was, during the canal crossing .

He had publishes as well, a declaration of General Shimon Peres - the Israeli president - about the bridge , that confirms its proven bad funcionality through the field deployment .

Therefore, I shall republish "here" those threads , to keep track with the development of the whole issue and to enrich it here as well.

Actually, thanks to them for their contributions.

And now to the following important threads



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

a photo , of the advanced front command room, where the previous map
to be seen on the wall, during the Israeli commanders avaluation of front "status quo" situation


Quote:

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8231/93880141.jpg

[/QUOTE]

A map, from the book "Arabs at war"



Quote:
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6585/deversoir73.jpg



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

This following thread , needs really to look at and may be someone, would translate the Hebrew lines, as this did not happen yet within the other forum except the following comment , correcting my lines about General Sharons photo.

I shall republish the other video clips here as well, because of their importance to the topic.

That's not grief but sleep deprivation... I doubt Sharon had time to grieve.

It says the photo was taken on the 16th of October after a night of fighting.





The following maps and photos, are published within the threads related to the roller bridge .

Unfortunately, I do not understand Hebrew, and therefore ,am asking all, whether someone , would translate the following maps and their comments , into English, so that we may all understand , what is on them

The source is

http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=42096 (http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=42096)


Thanks in advance



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer






Quote:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1154x1581 and weights 239KB.http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/03/18/70744225.jpg This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1176x1512 and weights 88KB.http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/03/18/40928895.jpg
Quote:
הנה תצלום אויר אלכסוני משנת 1971 של אזור החווה הסינית. הוספתי כתוביות (תוכנת ה- PE שלי לא מאפשרת כתיבה בעברית). לצורך התמצאות טובה יותר הוספתי קו מרחק בצדה השמאלי ועליו ציינתי את המרחק - פחות או יותר). מכיון שהתמונה אלכסונית זה איננו קנה מידה לכל התמונה, והוא אינדיקטיבי בלבד.

אפשר בקלות לזהות מחפורות טנקים ורק"ם שכוחותנו הכינו (פונים מערבה) בתקופת מלחמת ההתשה. אגב - אזור החווה היה אחד האזורים הבודדים הקרובים לתעלה - שסוללת העפר שהקים צה"ל לאורך התעלה - לא הסתירה. הסיבה אינה ברורה לי - אולם כך היה. בהתשה, היו צליפות וירי מרגמות תכופים על אזור החווה ועל כביש התעלה שבין החווה למים. עוד שאלה שאין לה מענה בהקשר לאזור הזה.

עד כמה שידוע לי (ובזמנו בררתי) לא היו (באוקטובר 73) בידי המפקדים הלוחמים בשטח תמונות באיכות כזו. תצ"א מגובה רב לא עזרה אז (ולאחר שיכפולה בפוטוסטט כמעט וחסרה ערך טקטי...). אינני מאשים כאן איש - צה"ל לא היה מוכן למלחמה הנוראה הזאת - וכלי עזר כאלה (ובמקור התמונה ברורה הרבה יותר) לא סופקו ליחידות הלוחמות. ואני חייב להעיר שגם בדרג הפיקוד (חטיבה - אוגדה) האחראי על הקרב לא עשו שימוש של ממש בעזרים אלה.

ואני חוזר לשאלה (חידה) ששאלתי במקור - מניין השם "חווה סינית".... ??


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/03/18/45622352.gif


Quote:


Was this phot of General Sharon, while briefing , prior to the operation Gazelle
http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/03/20/67982599.jpg

Quote:
תעלות ההשקיה חוצות גם את ציר עכביש !!! לא דברתי כאן על תעלות טרטור , בהן אתם רבצתם .

זוהי הבעיה שאתה דוחה על הסף.. הרי לא הזכרתי את טרטור !! אלא את תעלות ההשקייה שבין מתג 50 , למתג 51 על ציר עכביש !!!
ומשם הגיחו חיילי קומנדו מצריים ודפקו כלים על עכביש .

תרשים קרב גדס"ר 87 מה 16 לחודש - שים לב לציר החולות - עליו גם נעו הדוברות(רחוק מאוד מעכביש) :


This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 830x664 and weights 60KB.http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/04/05/21043600.jpg

קרב בלימה (קרב משום הפגעותם של כלים בן היתר על ציר עכביש) ב16 בבוקר של שארית הגדס"ר שישב מעט מזרחה למצמד :


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/04/05/71175466.jpg


ושוב , עשרות חיילים נהרגו כתוצאה ממארבי טילים וחי"ר על ציר עכביש , בעובדותיך אתה מנסה לרמוז שמותם היה כתוצאה מארטלריה - לא ולא , הם נהרגו במארבי חי"ר ובהסתערויות סהרוריות , עשרות מחיילי הקומנדו המצריים פשוט נדרסו .

אני באמת לא מבין אותך .... הרי נגמ"ש השמונה היה רק דוגמא , והזכרתי זאת !!!
אם ציר עכביש באמת היה פתוח - למה רצו להחזיר את הכוחות מהגדה המערבית ??? הבעיה - לא היה ציר אספקה!! ציר עכביש נחסם , שיירות אספקה וחימוש (באחת מהן היה אבי) נפגעו קשות , ואפילו לא הצליחו לעבור ..

ולטעון שמי שהיה שם ממציא סיפורים ... נו באמת , אני לא אתייחס לזה .
מה שירית במשך 17 שעות , אבי ירה בשעה מהמק"כ עליו היה מופקד , וזאת בלי לספר על הקרבות מראשית המלחמה , ועל עשרות חבריו שרק נירם מאיר את דרכנו . אתה חווית רק את מוראות החווה , לא את מוראות קרב כישוף חמדיה , קרבות חמוטל , טלוויזיה , וקרב האימים הארור של צומת לכסיקון , קצת קשה לזלזל בקצין מילואים שלחם כמה מלחמות , ובמשך כמה ימים במלחמה , וקצין סדיר צעיר , שלחם בעוז ובגבורה - אבל רק 17 שעות - יבוא ויטיל דופי בדבריו ויומר שהוא ממציאם..

בניגוד למילשטיין , אבי היה שם , וחווה את ההלם שעשרות מצריים קמים ממארב ובדיוק אז נגמר לו השרשר של ה 0.5 ... אני מאמין שלא צריך להכניס אותך לסיטואציה , אתה מבין זאת טוב .
טיפת כבוד !!
לא רק 890 נלחמו ונגרמו להם אבידות איומות ..

ועוד משהו , בכל סיפורי גדס"ר 87 - ציר עכביש מצויין כחסום , כך שאיני יודע למי יש בעיה כאן בהבנת הנקרא.. וגם אהרונוביץ שנלחם על ציר עכביש רשם זאת בשרשור
אני מכבדך על זה שיש לך את האומץ לספר את האמת על קרבות 890 (קרב אחד .. ) , אבל ישנם המוני חיילי מילואים שבעי קרבות ומלאי רשמים שיש גם להם משהו לומר , וזה לא עבירה פלילית אם יש התנגשות עם דברי ההסטוריון המכובד מלשטיין , שהחזיק עט במקום עוזי במלחמה ...

אגב , למי שלא שם לב - אני שופר כאן לאבי , ולדודיי .
Quote:

Is this the area of the israeli BREAKTHROUGH, with the roller bbridge to Deversoir ..??
שים לב שהם גם על ציר עכביש

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/04/05/50002547.jpg
Quote:
General Sharon "grief" ... on which occasion

שרון "מנקר" ב 16 לחודש במצמד , לאחר קרב טרטור לכסיקון


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2005/04/06/92612695.jpg




Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

The following maps and photos, are published within the threads related to the roller bridge .

Unfortunately, I do not understand Hebrew, and therefore ,am asking all, whether someone , would translate the following maps and their comments , into English, so that we may all understand , what is on them

The source is

http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=42096 (http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=42096)


Thanks in advance



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer




Quote:
למרבה הפלא לא סומנו במפה כלל מעבירי מים על ציר עכביש, כך שלא ניתן להעזר בה בבטחון לעניין זה. עם זאת, התעלה הראשונה שחוצה את הציר מצויה כק"מ מערבית למתג 52. סביר ששם היו גם מעביר מים וגם תעלה. בחינה מדוקדקת של פני השטח מגלה שקע רדוד ליד יתד ארטילרית ה81א. יתכן ששם היה גם מעביר מים. מיקום זה תואם למקום שסומן בספרך.

רצב המפה:


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2006/11/12/43202467.jpg
Quote:
סד"כ חטיבה 14 ב 15 באוקטובר 1973 לפי סדר התנועה

מוביל - גדס"ר 87
2- מפח"ט 14
3- גדוד 79
4- גדוד 184
5- גדוד 407
6- גדוד 424 עם פלוגת צוערי בה"ד 1 (ת"פ 424) ועם מ"פ ג' 407 גבי ורדי וחמישה טנקים גם הם ת"פ 424.
7- כח שמוליק - גדוד מאולתר שהורכב מפלוגה ו' 890 ופלוגה ה' 202 בפיקוד שמוליק ארד עם סמ"פ ג' 407 נחום שקד וארבעה טנקים ת"פ כח שמוליק. כח שמוליק הוקם בשישי באוקטובר כמפג"ד שפעל עצמאית לאורך כל המלחמה ת"פ אמנון רשף ולסרוגין ת"פ ישיר אריק שרון
8- גדוד 582 (שונרי) שיועד לשמש ככח עתודה במאסף. כח זה אחר להגיע לנקודת הכינוס ושירך דרכו מאוחר יותר בלילה בציר החולות לשדה הקרב.
Quote:
תרשים הקרב המקורי, מתוך הסרט גרסת הלוחמים ששודר בערוץ 2 בשנת 2003


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2008/02/02/78376543.jpg


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2008/02/02/48783718.jpg
Quote:
לפי קורות גדוד 410 - ראו בחלקים המודגשים, זיהה הגדוד בסיור שנעשה על ציר טרטור פצוע מגדוד 890 ב18 לחודש בערב , כמעט 48 שעות מהקרב :

http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2006/11/04/72637315.jpg


http://uploaded.fresh.co.il/2006/11/04/16164411.jpg
מיהו אותו פצוע ?

בהנחה וזה נכון , הרי שהוא חולץ אחרון , ולא דחבש. כמו כן, הנחתי שההרוגים פונו בתום הקרב...


Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

A good video clip , published by the following German member.

Thanks to him



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

Check the following video from 2:22 on. It shows the deployment of the bridge and some tanks crossing it.

http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE (http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE)



As it looks it doesn't needs any guidance from boats to get deployed.

[Yahia Al Shaer]

It is great from this membber, how we discuss the issues, with mutual respect and without any hatered or any prejudgement ..

He is really excellent and deserves a great THANK YOU GiladS (Y) :)



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

Found some more pictures of the recent IDF exercise with the 'roller bridge' (2007-2008?) on Fresh.co.il.

Should give an idea of how the placing of the original bridge went...

http://mazi.idf.il/sip_storage/FILES/6/1866.jpg

http://mazi.idf.il/sip_storage/FILES/4/1884.jpg

http://mazi.idf.il/sip_storage/FILES/6/1886.jpg

http://mazi.idf.il/sip_storage/FILES/8/1888.jpg

[Yahia Al Shaer]

The following paragraphs, are really precious information, which were posted by the german member T.S.C.Plage



T.S.C.Plage [/URL]
I think you're somehow overestimating this type of bridge. Following some quotes about it.


اقتباس:

I carry with warmth my 48 years as member of the Knesset, and shall never forget my initial shock when, in the War of Independence, an important military officer reported that we were left with ammunition sufficient for only five days of battle. Nor will I forget our crestfallen faces when the Glilim Bridge did not function at the crucial moment during the Yom Kippur war and all seemed lost. I carry with me the bitter taste of disappointments stemming from our failed efforts to make peace, or balance the economy.

Part of an address by President Shimon Peres at the Opening of the 18th Knesset on 24th February 2009.



:

Why MAKHNAR (?) added footage of the largest fiasco of the engineering corps ever: the roller bridge?

A comment from an Isreali moderator at Stealbeasts.com related to the video I posted.




The following photo, and video film as of point 2:22 show, how the roller bridge is saying , and reacting to the weight of the crossing tanks, and consequentlly, is being
converted into reacting HIGH WAVES, endangering the tanks over it.

This a dangerous engineering construction failure , which the following films shows at view points 2:26 in a clear cut documented and proven way.



[URL="http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE"]http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE (http://www.almatareed.org/vb/showthread.php?p=4490767#post4490767)


http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5894/589830.jpg





Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

Therefore, this bridge, never found its place in the following Israeli Army Engineering docs, published officially within the Fresh forum




http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=32070&highlight=%E8%F0%F7+%E2%E9%F9%E5%F8 (http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=32070&highlight=%E8%F0%F7+%E2%E9%F9%E5%F8)



http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1396/10780184.jpg


And that without knowing what Handasa Kravi meant. ;)

Btw, you can find some more Latrun pics if you search for "Glilim bridge" at Google.

/edit: A little more...

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2711/gesherglilim01.jpg

http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=32070&highlight=%E8%F0%F7+%E2%E9%F9%E5%F8 (http://www.fresh.co.il/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=32070&highlight=%E8%F0%F7+%E2%E9%F9%E5%F8)

This time I searched for גלילים גשר (Glilim Gesher) which should mean something like "cylinders bridge" if I'm not mistaken.


Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

consequentlly understandable, is the following photo issued by GiladS and his translation of the written text on the both signs, at the lightly blocked entrance of the bridge, across the Suez Caanal







Quote:
Originally Posted by Yahia Al Shaer http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4487384#post4487384)

Would you please , publish the link , for the "Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun" ... if they publish more photos .... ???

The photo isn't from the official site.





The photo isn't from the official site.

Also I regret to say that the English version of the site is currently down.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/he/1/17/Yom_Kippur_bridge1.jpg


The sign on the right says: "Passage for tracked and 4x4 vehicles".

The sign on the left says: "Johnny Bridge".

Most probably the red and black colors represent the Engineering Corps though today these are the colors of Artillery Corps while the Engineering Corps flag colors are orange and black.

Either it only seems to be red and it was actually orange or they didn't have the orange color to paint it properly or maybe back then the flag colors were different, I'm not sure.

As for the name given to the bridge, it was named after Lieutenant Colonel Aharon Tena Z"L (his nickname was 'Johnny') who commanded the engineering forces on the southern front and was killed during the efforts to cross the canal and establish a bridgehead.




I concour.





Quote:
Originally Posted by GiladS http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4487263#post4487263)
That's not the same bridge, the original is on display at the the Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/images/statusicon/wol_error.gifThis image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 2016x1512 and weights 1504KB.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Glilim_bridge_3-Latrun.JPG

The bridge from the recent exercise is an improved one based on the same concept.



Israel has no intention to operate on both banks of the Suez Canal, that's why we returned the Sinai as part of a peace agreement with Egypt.

However it's not to say that the IDF shouldn't train in this field as we may have to cross man made/natural obstacles in future possible campaigns in the north.




Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

Two postings with impressive video clips. They have enriched the topic ,

20th Century Battlefields - 1973 Yom Kippur War part 6 (about Sharon's canal crossing):

The first is the following one


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHpzPCGp1Ek (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHpzPCGp1Ek)





Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

Some of GiladS explanations postings, is the following response to a member there, which make the lines about the roller bridge, a worth reading documentation





Quote:
Originally Posted by Ought Six http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4490081#post4490081)
So I assume the deployment of such a bridge requires building a road down to the water's edge where the bank is suitably graded, then dragging the bridge forward down that road towards the water using tanks and/or engineering vehicles alongside the bridge with tow ropes.




That's the thing, there wasn't an adequate road and the bridge wasn't designed to take the punishment of the Sinai dunes and at one point it split into two and had to be repaired. It was also never originally planned that the bridge would be transported this way over more than 3km (when in fact it was transported over 17km).

Also because of the the size of the bridge it couldn't have been diverted to another route while the route it was on was blocked by Egyptian forces. Thus the IDF had to capture the area held by the Egyptians and this was one of the bloodiest battles of the war (known as the 'Battle of Chinese Farm').


Quote:
I assume that once the bridge is in the water, warping tugs are needed to guide the end of the bridge to the correct location on the other bank before it is secured in place.



No, the main advantage of the bridge's design was that it only had to be pushed into the canal and it would roll in and guide itself across to the other bank while a ramp at the other end ensured passage over any obstacle on the other side.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/513/4311or.jpg (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/4311or.jpg/)
An improved version of the original 'roller bridge' as it is pushed into a canal during an IDF exercise in 2008.



Quote:
And does anyone know how long it took to move the bridge to the bank of the canal, and then deploy it?


It took 2-3 days, they started to move the bridge on the 17th of October and it was in place and ready on the 19th at 1:00am.
.




Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

The second of the two postings is really a MUST WATCH and an impressive video clip.


Of course, it was by GiladS , who really deservs saying GREAT THANKS to him .

It shows, how huge it was , and that makes me wonder, and ask, WHY DID´NT the Egyptian RECC flights dicover it prior to that day, although it was there sincs long time .



Video footaged of the bridge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB4SQ0KWlyE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB4SQ0KWlyE)

It's importent to note that Sharon's division had already crossed and established a bridghead (using Pontoon bridges and Gillois amphibious tank-carriers) by the time this bridge, known as the 'Roller Bridge' (Gesher Haglilim), was in place (thus widening the bridgehead).


Quote:
I have read an article some-time ago, in a military forum , that israel has developed and improved this bridge, to enlighten its weight and improve its field maneuverabilty, meet with the modern battlefield requirements and to make it a global military equipment for "export".

True...

http://www.nrg.co.il/images//archive/300x225/948/291.jpg


Improved 'Roller Bridge' used during a military exercise last year.

[Yahia Al Shaer]

Two additional photos of the roller bridge, - pulished in Yom Kippur thread -

The one, shows , how the bridge do get deeper in the water, under the weight of a tank.

This indicates, that the dtiffining / stabilzing bar connection has either faile or was not there.

For sure, the mil. industry , will try every technical trick to obtain a better functionality



Dr. Yahia Al Shaer



http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/271/scan0008v.jpg



رغم ذلك ، تنشر إسرائيل ، صور توهم ، بأن هذا الكوبري ، عبقرية عبور "عسكري" إسرائيلي

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7463/scan0007ni.jpg

[Yahia Al Shaer]

http://www.youtube.com/v/kB4SQ0KWlyE (http://www.youtube.com/v/kB4SQ0KWlyE)

worthwatching video film-1



http://www.youtube.com/v/kB4SQ0KWlyE (http://www.youtube.com/v/kB4SQ0KWlyE)

Dr. Yahia Al Shaer

[Yahia Al Shaer]

http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE (http://www.youtube.com/v/kB4SQ0KWlyE)

worthwatching video film-2



http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE (http://www.youtube.com/v/6zFJSwHb7uE)

Dr. Yahia Al Shaer