Flotilla 13: Israeli Naval Commandos in the Red Sea, 1967-1973

by Ze'ev Almog

Flotilla 13 is the elite naval commando unit of the Israeli Defense Forces that specializes in maritime hostage rescue and counter-terrorist missions. To maintain secrecy, few of its missions have, until now, been made public. With this book, the unit's commander, Rear Adm. Ze've Almog, unveils the amazing story of Flotilla 13. For the first time, he offers details of many of the unit's operations during the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War (1968-1973), including the raids on the Adabiya coast post and the Green Island fortress that resulted in heavy casualties, and the unit's dramatic sinking of two Egyptian torpedo boats in the Gulf of Suez.
The author provides memorable first-person accounts of the unit's complex and courageous operations that destroyed or captured numerous Egyptian vessels in the Red Sea, including the raid on the port of Hurgada, which forced the Egyptians to evacuate. Along with the successes, Almog also candidly discusses his unit's despair following the losses at Green Island and threats to limit its involvement in future operations, and he then describes how Flotilla 13 was transformed into a unit of high morale and performance. First published in Hebrew in 2007, this revealing account of what went on is now available in English.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2010

Reviews

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable given the author's often clinical approach. The missions are so fantastic in themselves, and at best the author provides insight and background on critical decisions.

At worst, the first chapter spoils all the mission outcomes, the maps are also full of spoilers, and at times the narrative is rather dry. I recommend skipping the last half of the first chapter and scrutinizing maps only after reading about their mission.