Israeli paratroopers – the elite of the army and the state
The creator of the Israeli parachute units is considered to be Major Yoel Pelegi. He was a veteran of the Haganah, the underground Zionist military self–defense of Jewish settlements in Palestine. During the Second World War, Pelegi and more than 100 of his compatriots took a course at the British military parachute school.
A BRIEF HISTORY
After the formation of the State of Israel in 1948, Yoel Pelegi organized a military parachute school, on the basis of which a detachment of 250 people was created. The detachment was used for raids behind enemy lines.
In 1950, the 890th Parachute Battalion was created, headed by Major Yehuda Harari. In 1956, in response to the strengthening of the Arab armies, a brigade of parachutists was created as part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The first formation included the 890th battalion of parachutists, the 101st Special Forces detachment and the Nahal battalion. The brigade was to land in the rear of the Arab armies and disrupt their communications.
In the following years, Sayeret Tsankhanim (special forces of parachutists) was created as part of the brigade. In addition, four reserve parachute brigades were later formed in case of war. On the basis of military achievements and military-scientific developments of parachutist officers, special forces Sayeret Matkal, Duvdevan, Maglan were created in different years, which undergo parachute training.
The achievements of Israeli parachutists in various wars were so effective that the Israeli General Staff decided that other special forces should study with parachutists. Parachute training began to take place in Sayeret Golani, Sayeret Givati, Sayeret Nahal (special forces of elite Israeli brigades). Special forces have mastered the parachute tactics of combat on the ground, developed by paratrooper officers.
COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION
The brigade of parachutists today includes three parachute battalions, a reconnaissance battalion and a communications company. The 890th Battalion is considered the most famous. It was created first and became the core around which other parachute units of the Israel Defense Forces were formed.
The 202nd Parachute Battalion is also famous. It was created on the basis of the 101st special Forces unit, which performed many feats. The squad used raid tactics in the fight against terror and sabotage. The 101st Parachute Battalion was created later and introduced into the brigade later instead of the Nahal battalion (short for "fighting pioneer youth"), transformed into an infantry brigade.
The reconnaissance battalion includes three companies. Sayeret Tsankhanim is engaged in intelligence, diversions, the fight against terror, the fight against partisans, the attack of enemy headquarters. An anti-tank company is engaged in the fight against tanks and armored vehicles. The company is armed with jeeps and anti-tank weapons. Finally, the engineering company carries out mining and mine clearance in the interests of the brigade command.
The training of parachutists lasts about a year. The first stage is infantry training, which includes shooting from American and Israeli small arms, throwing grenades, and moving as part of tactical units. Engineering training is also given.
The second stage is parachute training. It includes five jumps, of which one is night.
The third stage is a battle in a built–up area. In the process of preparation, the tactics of movement during combat in the city, assault combat, countering snipers, disguising in the city, capturing buildings, destroying enemy groups in the city are studied. The fourth stage takes place in the school of counter-guerrilla warfare. Fighters learn to act against small enemy groups using light weapons. Training takes place on open flat, hilly and mountainous terrain. The training ends with a 90-kilometer march to surrender a parachute beret, which takes place over rough terrain. Parachutists make a march (run, walk, carry the wounded on stretchers) in full combat gear with weapons.
Finally, only Sayeret Tsankhanim fighters pass the fifth stage. This is anti-terrorist training, which includes the storming of various facilities and the release of hostages.
KNOWN OPERATIONS
Already in the 1950s, Israeli paratroopers began to conduct combat operations. A number of retaliatory actions were carried out against the Palestinian Fedayeen (guerrillas). In addition, operations were carried out against the Egyptian army supporting the Fedayeen and the Syrian army shelling Israel. Operations included covert attacks by parachute units.
The first truly major war that broke the Israeli paratroopers was the Sinai campaign of 1956. The newly formed 35th Brigade of Paratroopers acted as an advanced attacking unit. The brigade command landed two paratroopers in the rear of the Egyptian troops. Part of the brigade marched 300 km across the Sinai Peninsula. Together with other Israeli units, the paratroopers cut off the Egyptian troops in Sinai from the main Egyptian forces and won the war.
The next time the paratroopers proved themselves during the Six-Day War in 1967. By this period, two more parachute brigades were formed from reservists who were mobilized to participate in combat operations. The parachute units acted as a mobile offensive force as part of infantry divisions supported by tanks and artillery. The General Staff often deployed parachutists by helicopter as a landing force to capture key facilities. The paratroopers, together with infantry, with the support of aviation, captured Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula and reached the shores of the Suez Canal.
After the victory over the Egyptian army, the paratroopers were transferred to the Jordanian front. Jordan was linked to Egypt by a military alliance – just like Syria. The paratroopers participated in the battle for Jerusalem against selected units of the Jordanian army and drove the enemy many kilometers away from this city. Upon completion of this operation, the paratroopers were transferred to the Syrian front and participated in the defeat of the Syrian army.
During the War of attrition (1967-1970), Israeli paratroopers successfully conducted operations against the Egyptian and Jordanian armies and Palestinian armed formations. In 1968, the Israeli army fought at Karam against the Jordanian army and Palestinian militants. The paratroopers were transferred by helicopter and became a key force in the victory.
In December 1969, paratroopers captured and destroyed an Egyptian radar station on the banks of the Suez Canal. In January 1970, a unit of parachutists captured the Egyptian island of Shadwan.
During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, paratroopers fought alongside Israeli armored units against Egyptian tanks. They played a key role in the victory over the Egyptian army. On the Syrian front, paratroopers defeated an Iraqi tank brigade.
During the first and second Lebanese wars, paratroopers were a decisive force against the armed formations of the Palestinians, the Syrian army, and the militants of the Hezbollah group. The command of the Israeli army trusted the parachutist with the most important operations. As a result, the Israel Defense Forces suffered fewer losses and won.
Parachutists have repeatedly proved themselves in the fight against terror. They successfully completed their mission in Entebbe (Uganda), blocking Ugandan troops at the airport and ensuring Sayeret Matkal's success in the hostage rescue operation.
In the noughties, paratroopers fought against Hamas militants in Gaza, which led to a decrease in Palestinian terror.
FAMOUS OFFICERS
Major General Yitzhak Hofi began his service in the parachute units as a sergeant. Soon he was promoted to officer. In 1962 – 1964 he was the commander of the 35th brigade of parachutists. During the Yom Kippur War, he headed the Northern Command and fought against Syria. The units under his command defeated the Syrian army.
After the war, Yitzhak Hofi became the chief of the IDF General Staff. Later, he headed the Israeli intelligence service Mossad. Under his leadership, Israeli intelligence conducted a number of successful operations: ensuring the success of Israeli special forces in Entebbe, hunting for the leadership of Palestinian terrorists, an operation on the Iraqi nuclear program. Yitzhak Hofi proved to be a creative and effective military leader.
The future Major General Eli Zeira began serving in the self-defense units of the Haganah. In 1960-1962 he was the commander of a brigade of parachutists. During the Yom Kippur War, AMAN was the head of Israeli military intelligence.
Lieutenant General Shaul Mofaz began his service as an ordinary parachutist. He quickly became an officer. Participated in the Six-Day War, the War of attrition, the Yom Kippur War, freed hostages in Entebbe. In 1986, he commanded a brigade of parachutists, fought in Lebanon. He headed the General Staff of the IDF. Later he became Minister of Defense.
Lieutenant General Amnon Lipkin Shahak began his service as an ordinary parachutist. He was promoted to officer and became a company commander. In 1977 he became a brigade commander of parachutists. Then he headed military intelligence. Then he became Chief of the General Staff.
Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon began his service as an ordinary parachutist. Later he became the commander of Sayeret Tsankhanim. Commanded by Sayeret Matkal during the 1982 Lebanon War. Headed the General Staff. Later he became Minister of Defense.
Israeli parachutists are respected in society. The Israeli youth aspires to serve in the parachutist brigade, as many respected state and military figures served in it. In addition, parachutists master special combat skills that allow them to build a military career. Parachutist officers are often transferred to other military units to strengthen them. Paratroopers often continue to serve in the General Staff.
TACTICS, EQUIPMENT, MOBILIZATION CAPABILITIES
Israeli parachutists make parachute landings behind enemy lines, and this is their main purpose. Since the 1960s, the concept of using parachutists in cooperation with helicopters that carry out their transfer has been developed.
During combined arms combat, parachute units interact with tanks, artillery, aviation, infantry, and engineering units. Parachutists are used as an elite force to attack enemy communications.
Units of parachute brigades are used in counter-guerrilla warfare against Hezbollah and Hamas detachments. Sayeret Tsankhanim will be used to support anti-terrorist operations.
Israeli parachutists use American-made military equipment. M-113 tracked armored personnel carriers and Humvee wheeled armored vehicles are in service. For the transfer of parachutists, Hercules C-130 transport planes, CH-53, SH-60 helicopters are used.
In peacetime, only the 35th Parachute Brigade operates in the IDF. During the war, by order of the General Staff, four more parachute brigades are deployed from reservists. They are included in the corps of parachutists and act in important areas
PARACHUTISTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
The US amphibious units are the largest in the world. They include the 82nd, 101st, 11th Airborne Divisions and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The number of the first two divisions is 20 thousand people each, they are part of the 18th Airborne Corps. The 173rd Brigade is now based in Italy, the 11th Division is in Alaska. The US Airborne Forces do not have reserve units.
The Russian Airborne Troops are the second largest. They have tanks, artillery, engineering units in their composition. The airborne forces include four divisions, three brigades and a special forces brigade.
Great Britain has a brigade of parachutists in its army. France also has one brigade and one regiment of parachutists in the army. In many countries of the world, parachutists operate as part of separate brigades or battalions.
At the same time, only the Israeli army has reserve units of parachutists. And this allows it to strengthen and conduct successful operations during the war.
Timur Akhmetov
Timur Shamilevich Akhmetov is a journalist.