“Tooth and Nail” is a tribute to the Battle of Ras Al-Ash, a heroic engagement during the War of Attrition. This song captures the bravery and resilience of 18 Egyptian soldiers who, despite being heavily outgunned and outnumbered, stood their ground against an Israeli armored assault. It also honors the ingenuity of Hosni Salameh, whose quick thinking allowed the Egyptian soldiers to turn the tide of battle by learning how to use new and unfamiliar weapons.
Context: The War of Attrition
After the devastating loss of the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War in 1967, Egypt launched a series of operations to regain control of the territory, leading to the War of Attrition. This conflict was defined by raids, artillery strikes, and small-scale skirmishes along the Suez Canal, where Egyptian forces aimed to weaken Israel’s hold on the occupied territories.
The Battle of Ras Al-Ash occurred in July 1969, near Port Fuad, a key location in the northern part of the Suez Canal zone. This area had strategic importance, and both sides understood the value of controlling it. Though much of the fighting in the War of Attrition was centered around large-scale artillery bombardments, Ras Al-Ash became the site of a fierce ground battle where the resolve of a small group of soldiers would be tested.
The Battle of Ras Al-Ash: July 8-9, 1969
In July 1969, a small detachment of 18 Egyptian soldiers, under the leadership of Lieutenant Fathallah, found themselves facing a daunting task: to defend their position against an Israeli assault force equipped with armored tanks and mechanized infantry. The Egyptian soldiers were lightly armed, possessing old rifles and a few newly acquired rockets with no manuals or instructions on how to use them.
As night fell on July 8, the Israeli forces began their assault, confident that their superior firepower would easily overwhelm the small Egyptian force. The Israelis advanced with tanks and armored bulldozers, intending to clear the Egyptian positions and seize control of Ras Al-Ash. However, the Egyptians were determined to stand their ground.
Hosni Salameh: The Key to Victory
Among the Egyptian soldiers was Hosni Salameh, who would play a crucial role in turning the tide of battle. When the new rockets arrived, they were unfamiliar to the soldiers and came without any instructions. This posed a significant problem, as the Egyptian forces needed every tool at their disposal to repel the Israeli tanks. However, Salameh, who had prior experience practicing with anti-aircraft systems, quickly realized that these rockets were similar in operation to the weapons he had used before.
With this knowledge, Salameh was able to figure out how to use the rockets effectively. He then taught his comrades how to operate them, giving the small Egyptian force a fighting chance against the Israeli tanks. This critical moment of ingenuity would prove decisive as the battle unfolded.
Outnumbered but Unyielding
As the Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved in, the Egyptian soldiers, now armed with the knowledge Salameh had provided, began to fire their rockets. Despite the overwhelming odds, they managed to destroy several Israeli vehicles, including one of the critical armored bulldozers that was essential to breaking through their defensive lines. This unexpected resistance stalled the Israeli advance and threw their plans into disarray.
Throughout the night, the Egyptian soldiers fought with everything they had—rifles, bayonets, and their newly learned rocket skills. Despite being outnumbered and having little in the way of modern equipment, they held their ground with remarkable determination. The Israeli forces, expecting a quick victory, found themselves bogged down by fierce resistance and mounting losses.
The Dawn of Victory
As dawn broke on July 9, the battle came to a close. The Israeli forces, unable to break the Egyptian line, were forced to withdraw. Against all odds, the 18 Egyptian soldiers, led by Fathallah and bolstered by the quick thinking of Hosni Salameh, had successfully defended their position. The victory at Ras Al-Ash was a testament to the courage and resourcefulness of the Egyptian soldiers who fought “tooth and nail” for every inch of their homeland.
Legacy of Ras Al-Ash
The Battle of Ras Al-Ash, while small in scale, holds great significance in the broader context of the War of Attrition. It showed that even a small group of soldiers, when armed with ingenuity and determination, could stand up to a much larger and better-equipped force. The actions of Hosni Salameh, in particular, highlight the importance of adaptability and quick thinking in the heat of battle. His ability to understand and teach the use of unfamiliar weapons gave the Egyptians the edge they needed to survive and ultimately triumph.
“Tooth and Nail” honors this remarkable episode, commemorating the bravery of the 18 soldiers who stood against overwhelming odds. It also serves as a tribute to the Egyptian spirit of resilience, showing that no matter the scale of the battle, the will to defend one’s homeland is a powerful force that can overcome even the most daunting challenges.