'The first Egyptian flag was planted on the eastern bank of the canal at 2:30pm on 6 October. The first enemy fortified point fell at 2:46, after which others followed. Meanwhile, under cover of the infantry forces and artillery fire, the engineering corps began construction of 10 heavy pontoon bridges and another 10 foot bridges. Israeli aircraft attempting to halt the crossing were intercepted by Egyptian air defences which, by 5pm, had succeeded in downing 13 enemy planes, compelling Israeli air command to instruct its forces not to approach within 15 kilometres of the canal.' Victory: Egyptian troops in Sinai after triumphantly crossing the Suez Canal Defeat: Israeli prisoners of war rounded up by the victorious Egyptian forces