THE PALESTINIAN LIBERATION ORGANIZATION
Infantry:
The Palestinian Guerrilla was well
equipped. Soviet small arms found its way into the hands of the PLO from
neighboring Arab countries such as IRAQ along with camouflage, light and heavy machine-guns,
mortars, RPGs and anti-tank rifle grenades. In
addition, Palestinian workshops in
Assault Rifles, SMGs and
Sniper Rifles:
Light Machine Guns
Heavy Machine Guns:
Grenade Launchers:
Anti-Tank Weapons:
Mortars:
.
Armor:
To my knowledge, the PLO did not have armored formations
above Platoon size (three tanks). Most PLO tanks encountered by the IDF
were used as static pillboxes. Due to lack of proper training, quantity,
quality and experience the PLO tank crews stood little if no chance against the
seasoned IDF armored formations. The three types encountered were the
T-34, T-54 and the T-55 MBTs.
T34/85 |
|
Armament: 1 x 85mm MG, 2 x 7.62mm MGs |
Crew: 2+11 |
Maximum Speed: 55 Km/h |
|
Combat Weight: |
Armor: 60mm (maximum) |
Palestinian T-55
T-54/55 MBT |
|
Armament: 1 x 100mm,1 x 12.7mm MG, 2 x 7.62mm
MGs |
Crew: 4 |
Maximum Speed: 50 Km/h |
|
Combat Weight: 36,000 kg |
Armor: 203mm (maximum) |
BTR-40 APC |
|
Armament: 1 x 7.62mm MG |
Crew: 2 + 8 |
Maximum Speed: 80 Km/h |
|
Combat Weight: 5,300 kg |
Armor: 8mm (maximum) |
Probably a former Syrian BTR-152 in
PLO service
BTR-152 APC |
|
Armament: 1 x 7.62mm MG |
Crew: 2 + 17 |
Maximum Speed: 75 Km/h |
|
Combat Weight: 8,950 kg |
Armor: 4 to 13.5mm (maximum) |
BTR-60 APC |
|
Armament: 1 x 14.5mm MG, 1 x 7.62mm MG |
Crew: 2 + 14 |
Maximum Speed: 80 Km/h |
|
Combat Weight: 10,300 kg |
Armor: 7 to 9 mm(maximum) |
PLO Technical with
Recoilless Rifle
Artillery:
The PLO did have an abundance of artillery. The
favorite was the BM-11, BM-24 and the BM-21 Katyusha
rocket launchers. In addition, the PLO fielded 130mm and
155mm Artillery.
Abandoned BM-11 Rocket Artillery
PLO Combat Formations:
Your guess is as good as mine.
Orders of Battle
Kastel brigade
Yarmuk brigade
Karameh brigade
Deployed Troop Strengths
Between
Nabatiyeh to
Fatahland: 2000
men
UNIFIL Zone in southern