A Glorious Day October 14, 1973 is a glorious day in Egypt's military history. After the opening air strike led by then Commander of the Egyptian Air Force Hosni Mubarak, which destroyed most enemy control centers in Sinai, Israel, humiliated, mobilized its air force to prove to the world that it still lived. A strike was mounted against the Egyptian military airport "Shawa". For those who don't know, "Shawa" is a village near Mansoura, Daqahliyah and the airport was built to protect all Delta governorates. Israel mobilized its air force and the emergency air supplies furnished by the US in consecutive waves against the Shawa Airport. Egyptian pilots then engaged in counter-attacks led by the Maestro Hosni Mubarak. Residents of the Daqahliyah governorate woke up to hell breaking loose in the sky. It was the longest air battle fought in the history of warfare. However, a problem faced Egyptian pilots during the attack: the Israelis concentrated on striking the runways, causing damage and preventing the planes from landing for fuel. The Daqahliyah people having realized that something was wrong, went out to the last man, each carrying whatever could be had, be it an ax, a bucket, or a cardboard box, on foot or riding donkeys or cars. Their destination was the airport. While the pilots fought their battle in the sky, another battle was taking place on the ground and under heavy bombardment. People were filling up the holes to allow pilots to land, fuel and go up again, all in a few minutes. The Israelis were defeated. Their planes withdrew. And October 14, 1973 went down as a glorious day in the annals of Egypt's military history.
Sayed Hegazy,Al-Akhbar
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