Excerpts;
Blamed by the Agranat Commission for the IDF’s unreadiness in the Yom Kippur War, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. David Elazar was drummed out of the army. Two years later, at age 51, still stunned by the onus that had been placed on him, he died of a heart attack.
In subsequent years, documents and the testimony of principal players would reveal Elazar as the anchor who held Israel together in its darkest hour. He would prove to have been Israel’s greatest wartime chief of staff, indeed someone who merits a prominent place in the pantheon of military commanders in modern world history. His merit lay not in brilliant maneuvers but in keeping his head in a time of extraordinary stress and in his ability to analyze with clarity a rapidly evolving military and political situation and shape appropriate responses.
Examination of Elazar’s performance suggests some of the parameters by which the current chief of staff, Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, may be judged for his handling of the confrontation with Hizbullah.
Elazar brought his long experience as a combat soldier and armor commander with him to the chief of staff’s post. As an airman, Halutz had no such experience. But he can be fairly judged on the basis of the leadership qualities Elazar had displayed – an ability to formulate clear goals, to allocate the forces needed to achieve those goals, to engage in ongoing analysis of the situation, and to keep one’s head.
Commentary;
A valuable historical article with much fresh insight as to former Chief of Staff David Elazar Z’l. Wednesday marks 33 years since the Yom Kippur War.
This is a must read for those who would judge the performance of the current IDF chief of staff in the days before the two front war began, his actions relating to the kidnapped soldiers, as well as his actions at the war’s outset as well as throughout war. Does Dan Halutz come even near to measuring up to Elazar’s coolness, decisiveness and efficiency under immense pressure? Read the article and decide and draw conclusions. MB