Friday, January 11, 2019

Post 1973 Uniforms















The above pic, taken in April 1979, shows Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in Egypt, reviewing troops. Note the goose stepping officer (judging by his medals probably a hero of the October war). Note also the uniforms of the soldiers. Their helmets look like WWII German helmets.
Cairo's new style contrasts with that of the '73 war, when Egyptian dress was rather plain. In part that reflected the quasi egalitarianism of a socialist state under Soviet influence. Apparently, increased pride after the war, and an end to Soviet ways, caused the shift in style. Partly in defiance of the Soviets, the Egyptians of the late '70s began to relate more to their old enemies, the militarily proficient Germans. Hence the goose stepping and old headgear.
But with regard to this specific occasion, more may have been involved. Knowing that Begin was in nazi-occupied Europe during WWII, the Egyptians probably intended he see something which brought back bad memories and even proved a bit intimidating. With their German-style uniforms and helmets, the new Egyptian army may have sought to convey a subtle message: even though there's now peace, just like your old enemies we're now confident and capable.

4 Comments:

Blogger Adham said...

Very interesting analysis!

12:19 PM  
Blogger starman said...

Thank you! :) Do you have any specific comments, on this or the previous post? I thought it was a bit humorous to see Begin exposed to the sight of German style helmets. Like an old ghost coming back to haunt him.


January 12, 2019

3:15 AM  
Anonymous Neal Eugene Robbins said...


Those look exactly like German troops of World War II. If I had only seen the photo, I would have thought that they were WWII German soldiers.

8:00 AM  
Blogger Yalla-Yalla said...

They probably got these from East Germany. Although the Republican Guard switched back to more ordinary Soviet/Polish style helmets within a few years, these helmets still appeared as late as 2011.

4:51 PM  

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