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London Hears 2,500 Russians Now Train Egyptians; More Migs Hidden by Cairo

November 15, 1967
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Members of the Soviet Military mission in Egypt admit that there are some 2,500 Russian instructors, engineers and technicians now working with Egyptian armed forces whose morale has “improved greatly” as a result of the new weapons received from the USSR, and new training methods. This was reported today by Clare Hollingworth, Daily Telegraph correspondence in Cairo, who observed that Nasser has “regained faith in himself” and believes that he can continue to lead Egypt and force an Israeli withdrawal from Sinai.”

Hollingworth reported that Russian experts have concluded that it is impossible to train Egypt’s illiterate peasantry in the use of highly sophisticated Soviet weapons and equipment. As a result, all of the new weapons shipped by Russia to Egypt since last June’s war are far more simple to operate.

Egypt has also received new Soviet MIGs “which are hidden away in upper Egypt in areas forbidden to civilians,” Hollingworth reported. “The jets will soon be moved to underground shelters which can already be seen when flying in or out of Cairo,” his dispatch stated.

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