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36th Division (IDF)
Encyclopedia
The Israel Defense Forces
36th Armor
Division
, also known as the Ga'ash Formation ("Rage"), is the largest regular-service armor division in the IDF. It is subordinate to the Northern Regional Command
.
The division was established in September 1954 and until 1958 was led by Aluf
Avraham Yoffe
. At the time, divisional commands were mission-based commands without organic forces, but rather with troops apportioned according to given missions. From 1958–1962, it was led by Aluf Zvi Zamir
; from 1962–1965 by Aluf Uzi Narkiss
and from 1965-1969 by Aluf Elad Peled
.
During the Six-Day War
, the division led the battles in the northern West Bank
, commanding the Barak Armored Brigade
(then the 45th Armored Brigade), the 37th Brigade and forces from the 1st Brigade
. Later, it oversaw the occupation of the southern Golan Heights. After the war, from 1969–1972, the division was led by Aluf Shmuel Gonen
(Gorodish). From 1972–1974, it was led by then-Aluf Rafael Eitan
.
During the Yom Kippur War
, the division fought in the defensive battles over the northern Golan, and afterwards broke deeper into Syria
n territory. During Operation Litani
, Israel's invasion of Lebanon
in 1978, the division fought on the eastern front. During the 1982 Lebanon War
, it fought on the central front, proceeding through the coastal route onto the gates of Beirut
.
As of 2006, the division oversees the Golan Heights and includes the 7th Armoured Brigade and 188th 'Barak' Armoured Brigade
. As of July 2011, it is led by Brigadier-General Tamir Haiman who replaced Brigadier-General Eyal Zamir.
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
36th Armor
Israeli Armor Corps
The Israeli Armored Corps is a corps of the Israel Defense Forces, since 1998 subordinate to GOC Army Headquarters...
Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
, also known as the Ga'ash Formation ("Rage"), is the largest regular-service armor division in the IDF. It is subordinate to the Northern Regional Command
Israeli Northern Command
The Israeli Northern Command is the Israel Defense Forces regional command responsible for the northern front with Syria and Lebanon.-History:...
.
The division was established in September 1954 and until 1958 was led by Aluf
Aluf
Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word...
Avraham Yoffe
Avraham Yoffe
Avraham Yoffe was an Israeli general during the Six-Day War. He later entered politics, and served as a member of the Knesset for Likud between 1973 and 1977.-Biography:...
. At the time, divisional commands were mission-based commands without organic forces, but rather with troops apportioned according to given missions. From 1958–1962, it was led by Aluf Zvi Zamir
Zvi Zamir
Zvi Zamir born Zvicka Zarzevsky was a Major General in the Israel Defense Forces and the Director of the Mossad from 1968 to 1974. Born in Poland, Zamir immigrated with his family to the then British Mandate of Palestine when only seven months old...
; from 1962–1965 by Aluf Uzi Narkiss
Uzi Narkiss
Uzi Narkiss was an Israeli general. Narkiss was commander of the Israel Defense Forces units in the Central Region during the Six Day War...
and from 1965-1969 by Aluf Elad Peled
Elad Peled
Elad Peled is a former Israeli general. He commanded the 36th Division, which operated in the West Bank during the Six-Day War. In the 1948 Arab–Israeli War he was a squad commander in the Palmach. He was also later involved in the Yom Kippur War....
.
During the Six-Day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
, the division led the battles in the northern West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, commanding the Barak Armored Brigade
Barak Armored Brigade
The 188th "Barak" Armored Brigade is an Israeli armored brigade, subordinate to Israel's Northern Regional Command. The symbol of the Barak Armor Brigade is a shield with a red border bearing a sword against a blue and white background featuring the Haifa coastline background and a sword on it...
(then the 45th Armored Brigade), the 37th Brigade and forces from the 1st Brigade
Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
. Later, it oversaw the occupation of the southern Golan Heights. After the war, from 1969–1972, the division was led by Aluf Shmuel Gonen
Shmuel Gonen
Shmuel "Gorodish" Gonen was an Israeli general and Chief of the Southern Command of the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War.-Early life:...
(Gorodish). From 1972–1974, it was led by then-Aluf Rafael Eitan
Rafael Eitan
Rafael "Raful" Eitan was an Israeli general, former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and later a politician, a Knesset member government minister...
.
During the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
, the division fought in the defensive battles over the northern Golan, and afterwards broke deeper into Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n territory. During Operation Litani
Operation Litani
The 1978 South Lebanon conflict was an invasion in Lebanon up to the Litani River carried out by the Israel Defense Forces in 1978. It was a military success for the Israeli Defense Forces, as PLO forces were pushed north of the river...
, Israel's invasion of Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
in 1978, the division fought on the eastern front. During the 1982 Lebanon War
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
, it fought on the central front, proceeding through the coastal route onto the gates of Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
.
As of 2006, the division oversees the Golan Heights and includes the 7th Armoured Brigade and 188th 'Barak' Armoured Brigade
Barak Armored Brigade
The 188th "Barak" Armored Brigade is an Israeli armored brigade, subordinate to Israel's Northern Regional Command. The symbol of the Barak Armor Brigade is a shield with a red border bearing a sword against a blue and white background featuring the Haifa coastline background and a sword on it...
. As of July 2011, it is led by Brigadier-General Tamir Haiman who replaced Brigadier-General Eyal Zamir.
Units
- 7th "Saar me-Golan"/"Storm from Golan" Armor Brigade
- 188th "Barak"/"Lightning" Armor BrigadeBarak Armored BrigadeThe 188th "Barak" Armored Brigade is an Israeli armored brigade, subordinate to Israel's Northern Regional Command. The symbol of the Barak Armor Brigade is a shield with a red border bearing a sword against a blue and white background featuring the Haifa coastline background and a sword on it...
- 1st "Golani" Infantry BrigadeGolani BrigadeThe Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
- "Merkavot ha-Esh"/"Chariots of Fire" (Reserve) Armor Brigade
- 609th "Alexandroni" (Reserve) Infantry Brigade
- "Golan" (Territorial) Brigade
- 212th "Golan" Artillery Regiment
- 334th Artillery Battalion “Ra’am/Thunder” (MLRS)
- 405th Artillery Battalion “Namer/Tiger” (M109A5M109 howitzerThe M109 is an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It was upgraded a number of times to today's M109A6 Paladin...
) - 411th Artillery Battalion “Keren/Horn” (M109A5M109 howitzerThe M109 is an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It was upgraded a number of times to today's M109A6 Paladin...
) - Target Acquisition Company
- Signal Battalion