The Valley of the Tears is the name given to a 4 day battle of the 1973 Yom Kippur War where Syrian tanks and APC’s attacked through the valley to get to the Israeli towns beyond. The Israeli’s were massively outnumbered and it was a close run thing but the Syrians eventually retreated, leaving around 500 destroyed vehicles for the cost of about 70 Israeli tanks and crews. After watching the film we drove the short distance to the battle site and the memorial to the 77th Battalion Memorial. This was well signposted although further to drive than we expected. We were able to see the Israeli trenches and some destroyed tanks from the battle as well as the spectacular views that the defensive position commanded. We also very sensibly avoided the minefields that still dotted the site. Driving back we saw lots of prepared berms in case of another attack and a mock village for urban warfare training.

It was so close, and if it weren't for a few simple people... I believe every Israeli should come to this place and reflect on what could have happened if it were not for their sacrifice. Churchill said it for the RAF pilots during the Blitz of London on August 20th 1940: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few" And it is true here as well. True Heroes.