Today, 45 years ago, at 17:00 (2+GMT) Israeli destroyer Eilat (ex- HMS Zealous) was attacked by Egyptian missiles equipped craft, The two "Komar" type craft firing each two SSM-2 "Styx"(Termit). The first missile struck the destroyer amidships, just beneath the funnel, which caused loss of power, and than the second missile struck just forward of the first missile. The ship immediately listed to port and started taking on water. A short time later the second craft fired its missiles the third missile striking aft and the fourth exploded in the water amidst the survivors. 47 sailors died and 91 were wounded, the face of naval warfare changed forever.
Here is the Eilat as she appeared in 1967
![[ img ]](http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv51/novice99/DDEilat1967.png)
By the way the two Egyptian ships fired from within the port, never putting out to sea on that day.
Approximately six years later Israeli missile equipped craft fought Egyptian and Syrian missile equipped craft without loss to themselves, but sinking 12 enemy craft.