The Six Day War IntroductionHistory records the 1967 Arab-Israeli War (Six Day War) as one of the most memorable on record. Israeli forces dealt a stunning defeat to a coalition of Arab forces that far outnumbered the much smaller Israeli forces. The victory was made possible by the initial air strike launched by the Israeli Air Force. The elements of surprise, stealth, operational security (OPSEC), precise planning and flawless execution were essential to victory. The opening air offensive has been called "one of the most astonishing successes in modern warfare". This case study will examine the history, preparation, execution and lessons learned from this conflict. There is much profit for those who will study this war and consider the essential elements that made the impossible possible. History The United Nations General Assembly voted to create an independent Israeli state on November 29, 1947. Independence was claimed on May 14, 1948. Immediately, Arab nations were hostile to the presence of a Jewish state. Peace could not be enjoyed. Arab legions surrounded the Israeli camps and brutally attacked and even massacred civilians. Difficult relations continued, and sporadic wars were necessary to preserve the Jewish state. In 1967 tensions were boiling; while another war was on the horizon. While the Jewish state was vastly outnumbered and surrounded by enemies, the Jewish people were inspired to fight for their survival. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser delivered disturbing, warmongering speeches that only served to further inspire Israelis to fight with passion. “The Israelis had a courage and patriotism that pushed them to commit themselves more and with greater altruism.” The... half of the paper design, which proved to be a detriment as they could easily be rendered useless by a single bomb attack on the intersecting runways. Additionally, nations have invested in advanced technologies, seeking better early warning radar systems. References Tucker, Spencer C., Battles that Changed History: An Encyclopedia of World Conflict, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011 Weller, Jae, Israeli Armor: Lessons from the Six-Day War, Military Review Vol.51, No. 11, November 1971 Rabinovich, Abraham, First Strike, The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Vol.2, No.3, Spring 1990 In Search of Peace: Part One 1948- 1967. DVD. Moriah Films, 1997 Against All Odds: Six Day War and Raid on Entebbe. DVD. A&E Television Networks, 1996Dogfights: No Room for Errors. DVD. A&E Television Networks, 2007Dogfights: Complete First Season, Volume Four. DVD. A&E television networks, 2006