This page is subject to the extended confirmed restriction related to the Arab-Israeli conflict.Egyptian front International front The Battle of Marsa Talamat (Hebrew: קרב מרסה-תלמאת) was fought between the Israeli Navy and the Egyptian Navy commando forces on October 7, 1973, during the early stages of the Yom Kippur War.

The Israeli boats, commanded by Navy Lt. Zvika Shahak, had left their base at Sharm al Sheikh a day before.

[2] At 14:10, soon after the Egyptian Army launched its surprise attack (code-named Operation Badr), the Daburs were ordered to leave the anchorage[1] and to patrol along the coast towards the Israeli oil installations at Abu-Rodeis.

[1] The Israeli boats continued their patrol with no special events until 22:00 when they were ordered to turn south, towards Ras Zafranah, a naval anchorage used by the Egyptian Navy.

By that time The Daburs lost communications with their home-base at Sharm, which — as they later learned — had been attacked by Egyptian Raduga KSR-2 cruise missiles.

Upon entry, Shahak discovered a Bertram class patrol boat and two Zodiacs filled with Egyptian naval commandos in their battle gear and about to depart.

According to Almog: "The Israeli Navy's combat initiatives, combined with the support of ground and air forces, gave Israel full control over the Gulf of Suez and led eventually to the following far-reaching results: Following the battle, three Israeli crewmen were awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service: Zvi Shahak, who commanded the operation;[7] 2nd Lt. Ami Segev, an officer on Shahak's Dabur who kept fighting even after being severely wounded;[8] and Staff-Sergeant Shalom Nachmani, Shahak's Dabur chief mechanic.

[9] A fourth member of the crew, 2nd Lt. Nimrod Erez, who had fired the flare gun at the Bertram, was awarded the Chief Of Staff Citation.