Six-Day War 1967: Operation Focus and the 12 hours that changed the Middle East

by Shlomo Aloni, Adam Tooby (Illustrator)

Overview

The story of how the Israeli Force achieved one of the most audacious and important air power victories in history, wiping out enemy air forces more than twice its own size in a single morning.

This new illustrated study examines the planning, execution and aftermath of Operation Focus showing how it not only effectively won the Six Day War for Israel, but also impacted military thinking—in the Middle East and all over the globe—so profoundly that military leaders' perceptions of air superiority were practically transformed in its wake, signalling a turning point in the Cold War.

The Israeli Air Force's Operation Focus was not only a watershed in the history of the modern Middle East but was one of the greatest and most effective air superiority campaigns ever waged. On a single morning, almost the entire IAF was committed to a surprise, preemptive airstrike against the air forces of the encircling Arab states. The attack was extraordinarily successful. Hundreds of Arab aircraft were destroyed, their airfields crippled, and the IAF gained almost complete air supremacy for the rest of the war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472835277
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	06/18/2019
Series:	Air Campaign , #10
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Shlomo Aloni has authored dozens of books and hundreds of articles covering Israel Air Force heritage and Middle East air warfare history.

Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital artist and illustrator. His work can be found in publications worldwide and as box art for model aircraft kits. He also runs a successful illustration studio and aviation prints business. He is based in Cheshire, UK. To buy artwork, or contact the artist, visit http://www.adamtooby.com/.

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Chronology 10

Attacker's Capabilities 13

Defenders' Capabilities 23

Campaign Objectives 27

The Campaign 32

Analysis and Aftermath 86

Further Reading 93

Index 95

Editorial Reviews

Six-Day War 1967 may offer a unique addition to any jet age military aviation scholar's library. Given the lessons learned on preparedness that it demonstrated, it is unlikely that any air arm-including Israel's-is likely to achieve such a lopsided surprise victory against a comparable enemy force again.” —Aviation History Magazine

“Six-Day War 1967 may offer a unique addition to any jet age military aviation scholar's library. Given the lessons learned on preparedness that it demonstrated, it is unlikely that any air arm-including Israel's-is likely to achieve such a lopsided surprise victory against a comparable enemy force again.” —Aviation History Magazine

From the Publisher