Talking about Egypt, we undoubtedly talk about her great sons who wrote her history and made her glories throughout the ages; not only in the old ages but also in the present time, and the championships will continue to the end of times. Egypt has borne loyal sons whose hearts are filled with love to the homeland and with sacrificing all what is precious in rare championships in order to preserve her, and to proceed with her along a new way of achievements, which have been witnessed by the whole world.
A few days ago, Egyptians bid farewell to one of those great loyal people.
Egypt has written on one of her bright pages of history what this figure had done in intelligently presenting the idea of destructing the myth of Bar lev Line; the fortified line which was a great challenge for the Egyptians. The Egyptian Army launched its movements towards the precious victory, wrecking the myth of an invincible army before the eyes of the whole world: He is the Staff Officer Engineer Baki Zaki Youssef, who left his mark in the armed forces, Egypt and the whole world.
Officer Engineer Baki Zaki Youssef came up with the idea of using water jets working with compressed water to break through any sand or dust obstacles, in a short time, and with neither high expenses nor human casualties.
He mentioned previously that the idea came to him during being assigned to work in High Dam Project in April 1964; as he stated, may his soul rest in peace, he was appointed as Head of Vehicles in one of the units deployed in the western Suez Canal. As he passed by the vehicles of the unit, he was following up the construction of the dust wall built on natural sand dunes, and as a result of the channel digging on the eastern shore of it.
The Israeli army raised the masses of the wall dust, that they reached a height of 12 meters or more, a width of 8-12 meters between the cities of Suez and Port Said! Mines and explosives were also buried, and cannons were hid inside the wall. In the meantime, he wished that wall to be in Aswan so that he could take advantage of the water hoses he saw there as they were drifting the sand to the bottom of the dam. In a discussion with the Operations heads about the way of removing the embankment, all the ideas and suggestions ended to failure; as the attempt to open loopholes in the embankment required 12-15 hours, with casualties up to 20 thousand martyrs! At that time Major General Baki Zaki presented his unique idea, which was implemented and opened the path to victory in the October War.
While for the emotions Major General Baki Zaki felt when the dust embankment was removed and the loopholes were opened, he said in one of his interviews with the Radio and Television Magazine: “My feeling was indescribable! As I felt that this idea had directly helped the entire forces to reach their places – as it was planned – with minimal losses, and in the least timing the enemy cannot consider. The idea helped also in keeping the forces prepared and ready to fight the enemy.
The limited time allocated for opening the loopholes was also a helping factor to open all the gaps along the channel to confront the field armies. Thus, the enemy was confused in determining the direction where our main effort is going … The element of surprise – presented in using this idea – had made ineffective all the preparations and work that the enemy had planned to confront any expected crossing according to the traditional methods the enemy expected.”
Major General Engineer Baki Zaki Youssef had loved his country and her sons, he expressed his real joy regarding his idea which had saved Egypt during the war and had kept the life of her champions: “God had rewarded me with the idea of the dust embankment. Instead of having 20 thousand martyrs, 20 thousand champions were back”!
Stories about beautiful Egypt and her champions never end!
The General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
