William Durupul

They come to the conclusion that they don't need to take what they regard as Egyptian theater seriously.

So at the end of 1967, the border resolves itself at the Suez Canal.

And at the far side of the Suez Canal, the Israelis have built something called the Bar Lev Line, which has cost millions to put in place.

It's regarded as absolutely state of the art.

It's on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal and consists of 33 heavily fortified strong points built into and atop of a sand rampart, which is a massive 20 to 25 meters high.

That's roughly eight stories running 150 kilometers along the entire length of the canal back.

So the Israelis think that they're completely secure.

They've got bunkers, observation posts, tank ramps, connecting roads, allowing reinforcements within hours.

It's like a sort of modern version of Hadrian's Wall, if you like.

And the idea is that this is impregnable.

And Israeli military engineers have estimated it would take any Egyptian crossing force at least 24 to 48 hours to breach that rampart, to establish bridges.

And during that time, again, thanks to the conception, the idea is that the Israeli Air Force, which has shown itself to be so incredibly brilliant in 1967, will simply destroy any Arab air force or any Arab ground forces that get across the Caval.

they'd be shredded.

In Israeli eyes, you know, the Barlov Line isn't just a fortification, it's a guarantee of time.

And it gives the Israelis the times to mobilize the reserve and get these aircraft shot down.

They have given a few, but haven't given as many as the Egyptians want.

Yeah.

So, Sadat has had the advantage of a young Egyptian military engineering genius called Baki Zaki Yusuf.

And Baki Zaki Youssef is sitting at his desk looking at plans for the Bartlev sand rampart.

And he has an idea so simple it's almost absurd.