Shipbucket

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



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.

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Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Very nice! and a very historical important ship/moment in history

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Lovely drawing Novice.I didn't realise she was hit by 3 missiles.

Very nice drawing of an importent ship of israeli history.
I think parts of it still on display in the navy museum in Haifa .

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Awesome work Novice!
Indeed, that event changed the naval warfare for ever.

Amazing work, Novice! You're doing the Eilat great honor! A great post overall, with the matchless drawing coupled with your dramatic story! Couldn't done it better, friend!

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My Avatar:Петр Алексеевич Безобразов (Petr Alekseevich Bezobrazov), Вице-адмирал , царская ВМФ России(1845-1906) - I sign my drawings as Ari Saarinen

Thank you all my friends

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Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Really nice drawing, Novice. I never knew that she'd been hit by so many missiles. Up until now I'd presumed it was a single Styx that did her in. Three of those things would've ruined anybody's day!

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Republic of Lisenia AU - In progress
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I heard once, although I cann't say for sure, that when the missiles approched the 40mm opened up on the approaching missile, after all the missile was quite large, but they didn't hit it.
As a side note I also read somewhere that during the Otober war of 1973 an israeli sailor fired on a Styx missile with a .5" machinegun, shooting it down.

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Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Wonderful drawing and an interesting story of an elegant ship!