![]() ![]() The Israeli government denied the tanks were ever trying to cross the Marines' line. However it happened, the standoff in Beirut lasted about 50 minutes, after which the IDF tanks withdrew. It also says the two other tanks approached the Marines at "battle speed," Johnson climbed the tank with his pistol in the air and demanded the commander order his tanks to stop. According to the Post report, Johnson approached the lead tank with his sidearm drawn and in ready position. Johnson drew his sidearm, climbed up the tank and told the commander he could drive through the lines over his dead body.Ī Washington Post report of the same incident was much more action-packed. When Johnson repeated his orders that the Israelis could not pass, the IDF commander told Johnson he would drive through the Marines. The Israeli told Johnson his mission, and when the Marine wouldn't budge, he demanded to speak to a general. Eventually, an Israeli lieutenant colonel exited the lead tank to talk to Johnson. ![]() He stood there for a full five minutes while not much seemed to happen. Johnson walked into the path of the tanks and stood motionless as they stopped within a foot of his face. The Marines on the ground didn't see it that way all they saw were three Centurion tanks driving toward the MNF perimeter. According to Israel, the tanks were operating in a previously agreed-upon area. 3, 1983, The New York Times reported an Israeli government claim that three tanks on a routine patrol happened across a unit of U.S. The loss of life was so bad, President Ronald Reagan called it a "holocaust" while on the phone with Israel's prime minister. An estimated 6,000 people died, an overwhelming majority of whom were civilians. Within a week of the Israeli invasion, Beirut was under siege. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |