Egyptian and Israeli forces in fierce fights

From 6 to 26 October 1973 Israel and a coalition of Arab nations led by Egypt and Syria were involved in a bloody war in the Sinai desert and Golan Heights. The war began on the day of Yom Kippur with a surprise joint attack by Egypt and Syria and was called Yom Kippur or October War. Israel, caught unawares, was stunned by the fury and excellent execution of the Arab onslaught, who made excellent progress during the first 24-48 hours. By the second week of the war, the Syrians had been pushed entirely out of the Golan Heights. In the Sinai desert to the south, the Israelis struck at the territory between two invading Egyptian armies. Deploying a pontoon bridge on the night of October 16/17, Israeli Avraham "Bren" Adan's division crossed the Canal and raced south, intent on cutting off the Egyptian third Army before it could retreat west back into Egypt. The war also set the two superpowers (United States of America and Soviet Union) on a conflicting course. The USA supported Israel while Egypt received backing from the Soviet Union.