Ariel Sharon told Yom Kippur war probe: Higher command was clueless

Last update - 12:14 07/10/2008       
In 1973, Ariel Sharon told war probe panel: Higher command was clueless
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent

The Defense Ministry on Tuesday authorized the declassification of protocols investigating the failures of the Israel Defense Forces during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

 

The protocols relate to the deliberations of the Agranat Committee.

 

Among the testimonies released was that of former prime minister Ariel Sharon, who commanded the 53rd Division during the war, and fought against the Egyptian army in Sinai.
 
Adressing the committee on 29 July 1974, Sharon said that shortly after his arrival at the southern front, he told then GOC Southern Command Shmuel Gonen (Gorodish) that the higher command "had no idea of what's happening on the ground. I advised all the commanders to go down to the front to get a clearer idea of what's going on. The atmosphere in the war room was very gloomy because they were fully aware of the heavy losses we already incurred."