Two Israeli prisoners, captured in the first days of the Egyptian attack across the Suez Canal, were exhibited on Egyptian Television on Monday (October 8th).

Egyptian Officers told correspondents that their men had crossed the canal silently in rubber dinghies at night and then claimed the high wall of the Israeli fortifications with wooden ladders, surprising defenders. They said in one such fortification, 17 of 50 Israeli defenders were captured; the other were killed.

Reporter from Cairo say the Israeli prisoners told of being astonished by the ability of the Egyptian troops.

No officials figures have been provided by the Egyptians or the Israelis as to the total number of prisoners taken.

SYNOPSIS: Egypt has grown increasingly sure of its military prowess as its troops continue to dig in across the Suez Canal. Although Israeli sources repeatedly claimed to have knocked out bridges, the Egyptian build-up continued.

The first group of correspondents taken on a tour of the Suez battle field saw evidence of Israel's heavy losses in men and machines.

Egyptian officers described how their troops had crossed the canal silently at night in rubber dinghies, surprising the Israelis.

Relatively few prisoners appear to have been taken. But two of the captured Israelis were interviewed on Egyptian television on Monday. Although the interviews appear to have been at some length, few details were reported. One of the prisoners was said to have declared that the Israelis were astonished at the ability of the Egyptian troops. He described the Egyptian troops. He described the Egyptian attacks as massive and powerful.

Egyptians, gathered around television sets in cafes, clubs and other centres, cheered and clapped as pictures of the Israeli prisoners were flashed across the screen. Correspondents in Cairo report that Egyptians were in a buoyant mood on Wednesday, every available copy of newspapers showing pictures of the Israeli prisoners was sold. Civilians were stopping soldiers in the street, congratulating them on their efforts in the fighting.