Amos* and eighteen of his fellow IDF soldiers were spending Yom Kippur just meters away from the Syrian border when the 1973 war broke out. They fought for 100 hours straight against an overpowering enemy and unrelenting firepower, and survived.
They are the heroes of Outpost 107. This is their story.
Outpost 107, code-named ‘Portugal’ was the closest IDF outpost to Syria in 1973. It was next to Quneitra in the Golan Heights. Amos and his fellow soldiers were from Battalion 13 of the Golani brigade. Amos was a mortar man and he reported to Avraham Elimelech, the platoon commander.
The outpost consisted of a series of bunkers with observation points and gun positions. The platoon’s main job was to observe Syrian activities on the Syrian side of the Golan. There was a small tank company nearby to aid the men in repelling any ground attack from Syria.
The war started that day with a barrage of artillery on the IDF outpost. Most of the outpost’s positions were destroyed, including the large supply of drinking water. Four tanks led by Shmuel Yachin from Battalion 74 of the 188th Brigade opened fire and destroyed eight Syrian tanks that were attempting to cross the border to attack. Trucks laden with Syrian infantry raced towards the outpost. The Golani platoon destroyed them all using their heavy machine guns and mortars.
That night, the men spotted a convoy of Syrian military vehicles, carrying anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns. Their commander, Elimelech, radioed a warning to the IDF tank as Nissim Avidan manned the heavy machine gun and Amos fired an illumination round from his mortar to light up the theater. Nissim opened fire and the lead truck in the convoy exploded. The IDF tanks joined the fray and the Syrian convoy was destroyed. Later that night two of the IDF tanks drove to recover two Israeli fighters and one Syrian POW, bringing the three men back to the outpost. They had been fired upon, and one of the tank’s treads was aflame. The men of the outpost stood guard over the tanks all night, protecting them from Syrian commandos armed with Sagger anti-tank missiles.
Elimelech Avraham
The next morning, October 7th, the platoon successfully repelled another Syrian infantry attack. But the tanks were now very low on ammo. The outpost was cut off and surrounded; no fresh ammo or supplies could be delivered. Some of the IDF tanks recovered unused shells from stricken Israeli tanks.
More artillery barrages rained on the outpost. Syrian soldiers got as far as the outpost gates when the Golani men succeeded in wiping them out. The Golani platoon destroyed additional Syrian tank-hunters.
On October 8th, the outpost was attacked at dawn by six Syrian tanks. Five of the tanks were destroyed and the sixth tank sneaked up so close to the eastern side of the outpost that the IDF tanks could no longer safely fire on it.
Yossi Zadok
Yossi Zadok, a Golani corporal who had arrived on Yom Kippur right before the war started, had received some training in using a bazooka a couple of years prior but hadn’t been known as a good shot. There was no time to think or plan. Yossi had to act fast. He quickly jumped up with his bazooka and fired at the tank. It was a direct hit; the tank was destroyed.
At 11:00 am, 15 Syrian T-62 tanks rushed at the outpost. It was part of a brigade commanded by Rifat Assad, the brother of the Syrian dictator, Hafez al Assad. Shmuel Yachin and his tank platoon jumped into the fray, destroying 13 of them. Two managed to hide undercover, and tried to escape when darkness fell. One of them was destroyed by the IDF forces; the other managed to get away.
The men were running low on ammo but there was no way to resupply them under this onslaught.
The men were running low on ammo but there was no way to resupply them under this onslaught. That evening, the outpost was stormed by a Syrian armored personnel carrier. As it entered the perimeter, it set off a mine, killing its occupants, except for one Syrian soldier who was taken prisoner.
Portugal: Outpost 107
Then came bad news: Shmuel’s tank platoon was needed to reinforce Israeli forces in a ferocious tank battle taking place elsewhere in the Golan. The remaining Golani soldiers were left unprotected by tanks. Their ammo and food rations were dangerously low and there was no help in sight.
The following day, through their binoculars Amos and his fellow soldiers watched one Syrian tank rise on the hill that overlooked their position.
Another Syrian tank soon lined up next to the first one. Then another one.
Three hours went by and there were 110 tanks – nearly a full armored division – on the hill threatening their position.
The Golani platoon didn’t stand a chance. The tanks roared and the ground literally shook. “Zeh avood – all is lost!” some of the men yelled in great despair. “Don’t give up!” Amos said. “Stay below ground! Who knows what the cruel Syrians will have in store for us if they take us alive.”
Elimelech radioed the Northern Command. “I need air support!”
“Negative,” came the reply. “No planes are available.”
“Then I need armor support!” The desperation in his voice was obvious to the entire network.
“Negative. All tanks are fighting southwest of your positions."
“Then give me artillery support!” he shouted.
“None is available.”
“I’m making sure that someone will remember us when the Syrians kill us all!”
One soldier took a shell casing and etched the 19 names of the soldiers into the bunker wall. “What are you doing?” Amos asked.
“I’m making sure that someone will remember us when the Syrians kill us all!” the soldier replied.
Amos, in the middle, at Outpost 107
The men noticed jeeps carrying Syrian officers following the massive tank convoy. They stopped and opened tables to study terrain maps and plan further attacks against Israel. Elimelech ordered Amos to fire his last two mortar rounds at the officers. They scattered and realized the Israeli outpost had not yet been destroyed.
The tanks moved forward to wipe the men out. That’s when Nissim, the heavy machine gunner, did something insane.
He fired his .50 caliber machine gun at the lead tank. The bullets bounced off the tank harmlessly. They could not pierce armor. No one knew what Nissim was thinking.
The lead Syrian tank swiveled its main gun at Nissim’s position and fired, scoring a direct hit on his gun emplacement. It exploded in a swirl of flame and smoke. Nobody could have survived a blast like that. The others could only imagine what was left of their friend.
Amos ran over to the position, shouting “Nissim! Nissim!”
To Amos’ great shock, Nissim responded, “I’m okay! I’m okay!” He appeared slightly dazed, but lived through the onslaught without a scratch.
Most of the Syrian tanks began moving westward to engage Israeli tank forces, but some of them turned south to storm the outpost. The Golani men were now facing destruction from the enemy’s massive firepower. They were down to almost no ammunition. All seemed lost.
Yossi still had his bazooka, with only a few rounds that could do any damage.
A bazooka is a powerful weapon. It fires single rockets that can disable a tank, but it has a serious limitation. The weapon is fired while held on the operator’s shoulder and it has a fiery backblast of several feet when the projectile leaves the barrel. It must therefore be fired in an open area, otherwise the backblast would engulf and incinerate the operator.
Yossi and Amos were below the surface of the ground in a maze of bunkers. There was no way to fire the bazooka without exposing Yossi as a target to the vast number of forces now threatening the outpost. How could they get off a proper shot, well-aimed, in defense of their position?
It was reckless and against orders. They did it anyway.
Yossi and Amos came up with an idea. Amos would put a helmet on top of a rifle, and gradually raise the helmet over the surface of the ground. If it drew fire from the tanks, he’d quickly lower it, knowing that this spot is too hot from which to fire. He’d then move to another spot and try it again. If Amos received no fire, he’d jump up with his binoculars, determine the range of the target tank, and quickly tell Yossi. Yossi would then jump up, completely exposing himself to the enemy, and take his best shot.
It was reckless.
Suicidal.
Against orders.
They did it anyway.
Amos held up the helmet. It immediately drew fire. He and Yossi moved 20 feet away and Amos tried it again. No one fired, so he quickly grabbed the binoculars and inched upwards to identify a target. Amos saw a tank and barked the range and position to Yossi, who jumped up and took a shot. Amos heard the whoosh right by him and felt the tremendous heat of the backblast passing overhead. Yossi jumped back down.
IMPACT. A direct hit! The shell penetrated the tank and some of the enemy were killed or wounded. One tank down.
“Amos!” Yossi cried. “Move! Let’s go further down and try it again!”
Amos moved. They did it again. And again.
With Amos’ courageous range finding, Yossi destroyed four tanks in one day. The other tanks rained murderous fire at their position, furious that the meager Israeli outpost was killing their vaunted Russian-made battle tanks.
The next day, the barrage continued. Over the din of incoming shells, Yossi yelled, “Amos, let’s take out more tanks!”
“We’re out of armor-piercing rounds! Nothing we have will take out a tank!”
“What other rounds do we have?”
“White phosphorus.”
Yossi made a face. He and Amos knew that white phosphorus (WP) was powerless against the Syrian tanks. It was normally used to illuminate a target area, create thick smoke, or burn fuel and ammunition, but it would not inflict any damage. Why bother with it?
“Amos, let’s try firing them anyway. Maybe it’ll scare them!”
“Okay,” Amos said. He rammed the WP shell into the tube of the weapon. Yossi was ready.
“Find me a target!”
Amos raised the helmet on a rifle. Nobody shot at it. He quickly inched up with his binoculars and yelled out the range and position to Yossi over the sound of the constant firing.
Yossi fearlessly jumped out and fired the bazooka. Another direct hit, but they both knew it was a joke. A huge white spray blanketed the tank with thick smoke. No penetration. No danger to the Syrian tank crew.
Amos and Yossi watched in shock as the enemy crewmen abandoned their unscathed tank.
But something amazing happened. Amos and Yossi watched in shock as the enemy crewmen abandoned their unscathed tank! Evidently they were terrified by the blast and smoke, and the knowledge that the Israelis had destroyed four tanks the day before. They poured out of the tank and fled on foot towards Syria. Another tank down.
The other tanks proceeded to leave the area, leaving the outpost alone. They were engaged by what was left of the IDF 188th and 7th Armored Divisions in some very difficult fighting.
Yossi was the only soldier injured in Outpost 107. He was seriously wounded in the chest by shrapnel shortly afterwards and was evacuated to a hospital. All other 18 men were unscathed, despite being under nonstop attack for 100 hours.
Yossi took months to recover from his wounds. For his heroism in this battle, Yossi was decorated with the Itur Hamofet, Israel’s third-highest award for bravery. He and Amos have remained as close as brothers for the last 45 years.
After the war, Amos felt that he could not deny the miracles he had seen. Nissim’s survival. Yossi’s one-man onslaught, with his help. Destroying the far more powerful enemies of Israel despite their minimal weaponry and scant ammunition.
This made him rethink his life and his priorities, and Amos eventually decided to deepen his Jewish commitment and go to a yeshiva.
Even today, Amos has tears in his eyes recalling when he saw God’s Hand. As one of the heroes of Outpost 107.
* This article is based on an interview with Amos who, due to his humility, only agreed to speak on condition his last name and current photo not be included.
(18) mrs r pressman, January 7, 2021 7:11 PM
we have very brave and remarkable men in Israel, who use their expertise
and knowledge as shown in this true story
KOL HAKAVOD TO ALL OUR SOLDIERS IN ISRAEL FOR MANY YEARS, WO
SAVE THE JEWISH PEOPLE LIVES AND RISKING THEIR OWN
SHABBATH SHALOM
(17) Henry Afamefuna Ilona, January 5, 2021 2:27 AM
It Was Nothing But The Hand Of God.
It was nothing but the hand of God at work. This reminds me of what God did in the book of Judges through Gideon and his three hundred men against an overwhelming enemy with overwhelming soldiers, infantries, and weapons. Truly, God does not save through many weapons and much men. He has a way of reenacting his old and glorious deeds. Blessed be his name forever. God bless Israel.
(16) Alexander Troy, December 31, 2020 3:40 PM
Itur Hamofet
Yossi won the 3rd highest medal for bravery? I can't imagine what is required to win the 1st or 2nd!
Am Yisrael Chai
(15) Faith Whitfield, December 30, 2020 9:10 AM
I AM proud to be a Jew!
With all that is going on around us today, I find that at times my religion taken a back seat. I know I’m Jewish but don’t feel that “connection” to anything. I don’t think I’m lonely; the COVID-19 doesn’t worry me & I’m surviving as it is. But, then, I read this story & my heart swells; brings tears to my eyes. And, there it is! I AM a Jew! A proud Jewish woman and nothing can take that away from me - from my people!
(14) Cynthia Segal, December 29, 2020 7:54 PM
G-d was with them that day.
How brave and dedicated were those soldiers and men fighting for a beautiful Israel.
Just amazing,
Love Cynthia
(13) Clifton, December 29, 2020 6:32 PM
Awesome story
That was great. Talk about heroes.
(12) ARIELLE BARTLEY, December 29, 2020 6:05 PM
MAGNIFICIENT BRAVERY AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS! KING DAVID WOULD HAVE BEEN SO PROUD! THESE FINE SOLDIERS ARE THE GIBBORIM OF ISRAEL! HASHEM CAUSED ISRAEL TO BE VICTORIOUS. ISRAEL WILL NEVER BE PLUCKED UP OUT OF THE LAND AGAIN! BARUCH HASHEM ADONAI!!!
(11) Rosenblatt, December 29, 2020 3:41 PM
Awe inspiring story. It is people like these soldiers that enabled Israel to become a Nation-Am Yisrael Chai
(10) Chanah, December 29, 2020 3:37 PM
There's more to the story.
Were there other soldiers holding down other positions in this battle? I once knew a veteran of that battle. He said he had been wounded and taken off the field, and when he woke up he asked what had happened. The story was much the same, only he asked his fellow soldiers why the Syrians suddenly fled. A Syrian who had been captured was asked the question and he said that they were afraid of the huge number of IDF tanks. There was only one left, but the Syrian swore he saw a whole line of tanks approaching. The story is that these were angels who only appeared to the Syrians. This is what the veteran who recounted this story to me believed, anyway.
(9) Anonymous, December 29, 2020 3:05 PM
Consciously partnering with HaShem.
Our commanders should teach troops how to truly please HaShem by teaching righteousness according to Tanach. Then the holiness will please HaShem and earn His blessings. When we reach this simple and uncomplicated level of holiness; we CAN RELY ON HIS MIRACLES!!!!
(8) John Harrison, December 28, 2020 4:14 PM
Emotional
I couldn't keep the tears back feeling how overwhelming their situation was and then in learning that, together, without fear, they were able to maintain and defeat their enemy and it's enormous size. God is not a God of fear and because those brave men stood fearless, Got brought them victory! This is a very emotional story and I'm so glad it ended well for "Them All!"
(7) Noam, June 14, 2018 6:14 PM
True heroe
Wow. It's hard to believe that in our time there are heroes like these.
They saw death in their eyes and yet they didn't enter into hysteria, but fought with the little weapons they had.
Thank you for saving the country with your body.
Indeed, those who fought together are friends for life.
Thanks for the fascinating article!
(6) Jill, June 13, 2018 8:30 AM
How great is our G-D and how brave are His people!
(5) Charles Richman, June 12, 2018 4:16 PM
Eretz Yisrael must be defended by all of us.
PRAYER FOR ISRAELI MILITARY
May G-D bless the valiant IDF, IAF, & INF who daily risk all to protect the lives and welfare of the citizens of Eretz Yisrael? May G-D be their shield & their shelter & may shalom be become everlasting. Fill the hearts of all Israelis with faith and courage to thwart their too numerous enemies. May we never forget those Israelis who lost their lives to defend Eretz Yisrael and may their souls rest in everlasting peace. For those wounded we give thanks for their return and prayers for their complete healing and we give our undying gratitude for those who comfort them. Dear G-D, return Israel’s gallant men & women in uniform speedily to their loved ones, alive & unharmed; as it is written. May there be peace fulfilling the prophecy: “Nation shall not lift up sword against another nation, nor shall they learn war anymore”.
Charles L. Richman, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Wake Forest University
US Army Paratrooper Veteran
(4) Anonymous, June 12, 2018 2:58 PM
Even when we suffer...
Even in the midst of the suffering of the Yom Kippur War -- one could see G-d's open miracles -- for those who wanted to see them....
(3) Anonymous, June 11, 2018 6:22 PM
God Is With His Jewish People
What a wonderful story.
(2) Anonymous, June 11, 2018 6:21 PM
God Loves Israel
Shall not the wilderness be glad for them
Shall the barren places not be glad at their return
Shall the dry places not spring forth at their presence
Thus it was told unto us of old
That the Lord shall restore his people
And make their dry places to live.
This we saw in the vision of the valley of dry bones
When the breath of the Almighty made them live
It was to the nations as a tale and a mere dream
They said, shall Jacob live again after these many years
Shall Israel return again to his dwelling place and build
Even this place that is desolate for generations long
As the morning sun arises and distills his rays
Setting his glory in the west rising from the North
So did the Lord gather Jacob from his captivity
From all over the nations where he has driven them
And made Israel to return & rebuild his desolate places
The nations saw it and were moved with hate and anger
They said; lo Jacob is returned to rebuild his waste places
Arise! Let us destroy Jacob and cause Israel to cease
For we be many and they are few, for surely we shall prevail
Then I heard a voice that said
Jacob will live-touch not my first born
For Israel shall not be destroyed
Neither shall his seed cease from being a people
Is this not of the Lord God of Hosts
The maker of the heavens and earth
The portion of Jacob is his inheritance
The Lord God of Israel the Mighty One
Ah Jacob the LORD thy God
Is with thee even from that time
Let them that bless & love thee
Live and thrive in all ages to come
And let thy enemies, even thy foes
Lick the dust of thy feet
(1) Richard, June 11, 2018 3:59 PM
WOW!
I remember the war well. I worked in the press and publications office of the UN as a proofreader at the time. I was SO SO PROUD of our heroes. We are blessed by Hashem in so many ways and this is just one of the many stories of the miracles and wonders of Israel
Rimmer, June 17, 2018 3:36 PM
Couldn't Have Said It Better
WOW.
Just WOW.
Could not have said it better.
I will only add, "This is the LORD's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes."