An IDF Magach 6B MBT passing abandoned T-55 of the Syrian Arab Army, June 1982. (Efim Sandler Collection) Artwork: Aérospatiale SA.342 Gazelle attack helicopter, June 1982. (Artwork by Luca Canossa)
COVER
Photo: A Magach 6B main battle tank of the 196th Battalion, 460th Armoured Brigade, IDF, passing by abandoned T-55 of the Syrian Arab Army during the fighting for Jezzine, in June 1982. (Efim Sandler Collection)
Artwork: A reconstruction of the Aérospatiale SA.342 Gazelle attack helicopter with serial number 1349, of the 86th Brigade, SyAAF, as of June 1982. (Artwork by Luca Canossa)
Following years of growing tensions, in June 1982 Israel launched an all-out invasion of Lebanon. Following initial advances on Palestinian-controlled Tyre and Sidon, the Beaufort Castle, and the amphibious landing at Awali, on 8 June 1982 the Israeli Defence Force initiated operations against Syrian armed forces deployed in southern central Lebanon. Initially minor firefights for Jezzine and Ein Zehalta developed into major armoured battles, in which the Syrian Gazelle helicopters took a heavy toll of Israeli armour. The battles at Ein el-Hilweh, Khalde, Kfar Sil, Jezzine, and Ein Zehalta live on in the memories of all who fought there, marked by ferocious combat and the relentless resistance of Palestinian and Syrian fighters. They were fought in the form of slugging matches at unimaginably close ranges, in which neither side spared the other. Eventually, the Israelis achieved their breakthrough. However, they did so only gradually, much slower than expected, and certainly in a far costlier fashion than is usually thought. Even then, their efforts were still not yet enough to reach the crucial highway connecting Beirut with Damascus.
Based on extensive interviews with veterans from all involved parties, focusing on minute reconstructions of combat operations, and richly illustrated with colour artworks and exclusive photography, Lebanese Civil War Volume 4 offers unsurpassed coverage of one of the most spectacular, but also one of the most tragic conflicts of the late 20th Century.
Published by Helion & Company 2025
Designed and typeset by Mach 3 Solutions
Cover designed by Paul Hewitt, Battlefield Design
Text: Efim Sandler and Tom Cooper 2025
Colour profiles: David Bocquelet and Tom Cooper 2025
Maps: Tom Cooper and Mark Thomoson 2025
ISBN 978-1-804510-37-7
74 pages
8 1/4” x 11 5/8”