In March 1962 the Israeli Defence Forces launched a raid on Syrian positions in the village of Al-Nuqayb, on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. The raid, known as Operation Swallow (מבצע סנונית) was described by the IDF as a retaliation for Syrian attacks on Israeli fishermen in the Sea of Galilee. During the operation, Israeli commandos captured a selection of weapons which were subsequently displayed for the press. In this article, we’ll examine the weapons captured.
On 16 March 1962, Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade made an assault on Syrian positions in Nuqayb. 30 Syrian soldiers were reported to have been killed with seven IDF personnel killed and a further seven injured. Several days later on 19 March, an Israeli officer displayed the weapons captured during the raid to the press including a camera man who captured some detailed footage – which can be viewed here.
The description shared with the footage states: “Russian and Czech weapons – captured by Israeli troops in recent battles with Syrian forces on the eastern shores of Lake Tiberias – were shown to military attaches and newsmen in Tel Aviv, Israel.” The officer seen in the footage handling the weapons is unnamed but appears to be a Seren or captain. Let’s examine the weapons on display. The first shot of the footage shows the weapons laid out across a large table. Eleven 7.62×39 mm AK-patterned self-loading rifles are visible along with some other weapons and equipment.
In the still below we get a closer look at the RPG-2 and its markings on the right side of its pistol grip. It is accompanied by a PG-2 grenade, which could penetrate up to 180mm of armour.
Another weapon featured is a 7.62×39mm chambered RPD light machine gun complete with belt drum.
The Czech submachine gun appears to be an Sa. 25, as it has a folding stock and a straight pistol grip/magazine well – indicating it is chambered in 9×19mm rather than the 7.62×25mm round as in the Sa. 26.
Finally, the footage concludes with the officer traversing an SG-43 towards the camera. The 7.62×54mmR chambered Sg-43, developed by Pyotr Maksimovich Goryunov, is seen mounted on a wheeled mount with an armour shield.
Read the original article in its entirety at thesilahreport.com.
