Israel and the US fought side-by-side in 1967, during the Six-Day War. Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy technical research ship in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula, killing 34 Americans and wounding 171. It wasn't good... but it was arguably side-by-side.
Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats attacked the ship for over an hour, and while it was severely damaged, it managed to stay afloat. Israel apologized, claiming a "tragic accident" due to poor visibility and identification errors. Later, Israel paid over $12 million in compensation to the U.S. for the dead, wounded, and damages to the ship. :>(
The Liberty was flying the American flag, and the ship’s hull number—GTR-5—was clearly visible at the bow and stern. The attack started at 3:05 pm when two Israeli Mirage fighter-bombers strafed the Liberty with 30-mm cannons. The Liberty’s armament consisted of just four deck-mounted .50-caliber machine guns, and some of the ship’s crew attempted to return fire at the attacking aircraft. These guns, as well as the ship’s communication antennas, were quickly destroyed. A flight of Israeli Super Mystère fighter-bombers soon followed, dropping napalm on the ship and targeting it with cannons. Much of the Liberty caught fire. About 3:20 pm three Israeli torpedo boats approached the ship. They raked the Liberty with their deck guns and began launching torpedoes. One blast alone reportedly killed 25 men and wounded dozens more. The attack was finally called off about 4:30 pm. Israeli officials have said this was when they realized that the vessel belonged to the United States.
Israel and the US fought side-by-side in 1967, during the Six-Day War. Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy technical research ship in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula, killing 34 Americans and wounding 171. It wasn't good... but it was arguably side-by-side.
Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats attacked the ship for over an hour, and while it was severely damaged, it managed to stay afloat. Israel apologized, claiming a "tragic accident" due to poor visibility and identification errors. Later, Israel paid over $12 million in compensation to the U.S. for the dead, wounded, and damages to the ship. :>(
The Liberty was flying the American flag, and the ship’s hull number—GTR-5—was clearly visible at the bow and stern. The attack started at 3:05 pm when two Israeli Mirage fighter-bombers strafed the Liberty with 30-mm cannons. The Liberty’s armament consisted of just four deck-mounted .50-caliber machine guns, and some of the ship’s crew attempted to return fire at the attacking aircraft. These guns, as well as the ship’s communication antennas, were quickly destroyed. A flight of Israeli Super Mystère fighter-bombers soon followed, dropping napalm on the ship and targeting it with cannons. Much of the Liberty caught fire. About 3:20 pm three Israeli torpedo boats approached the ship. They raked the Liberty with their deck guns and began launching torpedoes. One blast alone reportedly killed 25 men and wounded dozens more. The attack was finally called off about 4:30 pm. Israeli officials have said this was when they realized that the vessel belonged to the United States.
So yeah... we fought side by side once.
“Hey Levin, honk.”
It would be nice to know what the heck could have motivated them to do that.