Israel Tal

[3] Tal began his military service at the age of 17, with the British Army's Jewish Brigade, serving as a machine gunner in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War.[5] After the official end of the Yom Kippur War, Tal, serving as commander of the southern front, received an order from Chief of Staff General David Elazar and Defense Minister Moshe Dayan to attack Egyptian forces.Tal won the argument, but his refusal to follow the order as a practical matter eliminated his chance of being nominated for the position of Chief of Staff to succeed General Elazar.[6][7] In 1970, the Israeli government decided it needed an independent tank-building capability due to the uncertainty of overseas sales for political reasons.Following the 1973 surprise attack, this excessive focus on fast-striking offensive armor left the IDF temporarily without adequate defensive capability.
Tal (left) during the Yom Kippur War
Tal with Merkava tank model, 2005
Major-General Israel Tal memorial in Latrun
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