CHAPTER FIVE - part 3 of 3 | go to part 1 | go to part 2

8 OCTOBER 1946
At 1940 hours on 8 October 1946 a jeep was returning to 1 Airborne Squadron RE, Beit Nabal (MR 145154), from escort duty at Sarafand, when it was fired on from an orange grove about 100 yards north of the road at MR 14161547. Three rounds were fired, believed to be rifle shots. They all missed.

The driver, Spr Hughes, continued at speed while the other two occupants opened fire in return - Spr Emery firing 4 shots with his revolver and Spr Wilkinson 2 shots with his Sten. The result of their fire was not observed. They estimate that 15 seconds elapsed from the time they were fired on and their return fire.

At 2030 hours a mobile patrol of 6 Para Bn, 2 Para Bde, going Southwards from the road Petah Tiqva-Lydda saw some mines on the road at MR 14121624 illumined by the headlights of the leading jeep. Fire was first opened on the mines with a Bren TGun, but as no results were obtained, the officer in charge of the patrol, Lt. R.M. Jones, examined the mines and found five of them to be dummies, the sixth being a live one. The live one was carefully towed to the side of the road and then taken to Petah Tiqva Police station with the dummies.

Subsequent examination of this mine by 1 Airborne Squadron RE revealed that it was a new type of Jewish Wooden Box Mine, fitted with a device for detonation on lifting. One of the detonators appeared to have gone off without causing the mine to explode.

At approximately 2030 hours a privately owned Arab motor car NO M 308 E driven by Aly Hassan Ishwalt, the only occupant, was blown up by a mine on the main road in Tel Aviv-Sarafand at MR 13051600. The driver, who had injuries to his hands and feet, was taken to the Government Hospital, Jaffa, but his condition is not serious.

A Police patrol arrived shortly after, with a patrol of 3rd Hussars. Six Jewish Wooden Box Mines were found strung across the road, spaced at intervals of approximately 9 inches. The outer mine, on the verge of the road, was the one which had exploded. The remaining mines were destroyed by the patrol "in situ", by the application of petrol and setting light to them. It is not therefore possible in this instance to determine whether or not the other five mines were dummies, as in incident 2.

At approximately 2140 hours a mobile road patrol of 6 Para Bn, 2 Para Bde (the same patrol as in Incident 2 above) found one Jewish Wooden Box Mine on the road between Ramat Gan and Petah Tiqva at MR 13661667. The officer in charge of the patrol disarmed the mine, which was the normal type, and took it back to 6 Para Bn.

At 2245 hours an "I" patrol of 1 ParaBn, 1 Para Bde, which had been carrying out a search in the area of Nathanya, was returning to Camp 21 (MR 143192) when they encountered six Jewish Wooden Box Mines strung across the road about 250 yards East of the Beit Lid X-roads, at MR 14161922. The officer in charge of the patrol, Lt. Brown, left some men on the spot to warn approaching traffic, and with the remainder set out to look for the saboteurs, having also warned the Police at Beit Lid Police Station.

Shortly afterwards two jeeps of the mobile road check platoon of 7 Para Bn came along and were warned by the remaining guard of the presence of the mines. Sgt Cutler, B Coy, 7 Para Bn who was in one of the jeeps, decided to clear the mines off the road. Five of them proved to be dummies, but the sixth was a live one, and apparently of the new type fitted with anti-lifting device, for when the Sgt lifted it tocarry it off the road it exploded. The Sgt received multiple superficial abrasions, moderate shock, a dislocated finger, and both his eyes were closed, but it is believed not permanently. He was taken to 12th General Hospital.

The explosion was heard at 1 Para Bde HQ,and the mobile road-check platoon of 7 Para Bn, which was then near Tulkarm, was moved to the scene, and the Bde sapper officer, Captain Adamson, of 9 Airborne Squadron RE was also sent out.

He salvaged the remains of the exploded mine which have since been sent back to HQ RE for examination, and disposed of the dummy mines, after testing them, giving one to the police, one to HQ RE, and the three others to 1 Para Bn.

A road block of 6 Para Bn, 2 Para Bde, at the road junction just North of Petah Tiqva at MR 14051677 (the scene of the shooting of QSMI Lehman on 30 September) arrested a Jew at approximately 2220 hours. The Jew was on foot and had turned about onseeing the road block, when challenged, he attempted to run away, and was chased. He was handed over to the police station at Petah Tiqva, where he spent the night, but was released by the police in the morning.

At 1943 hours a 15 cwt truck returning to 567 CAD (Wadi Sarar Mr 137134) from Jerusalem was overturned and set on fire by a mine at Kilo 4 on the road Jerusalem-Jaffa. All the occupants were either killed or injured. Ptes Cannston and Monaghan were killed by the blast, RSM Simmons and Pte Davies were injured by fire and Lt Colonel Butler, OC 567 CAD, was injured by the blast.

The explosion was caused by a charge of ammonal, estimated to have been 100 lbs, placed under the bank on which the road runs and detonated electrically from a plunger about 50 metres away, behind a small hill. Part of the road was damaged but it is not impassable.

Police soon arrived and commenced to search the area and were fired upon by a group of ten armed Jews. The police returned the fire and claimed to have inflicted casualties. They were seen to disappear into Givat Shaul Mr 168133. Police dogs were used, but no tracks could be picked up. As a result of this incident a curfew was imposed at 0500 hours on 9 October on four settlements round Jerusalem, including Givat Shaul and searches began at 0600 hours. Explosives, arms and training pamphlets were found at Givat Shaul.

A member of the well known Arab family Nashashibi stepped on a mine in the Nashashibi quarter of Jerusalem and was injured. Five mines were found about 200 yards from the main gate of Government House, on the road leading up to it.
WO 275/42

9 OCTOBER 1946
On 9 October 1946 a company of 1 Para Bde carried out a search near Nathanya. Four Jews were detained for illegal possession of arms, and the following arms were confiscated: 4 x 36 grenades, 1 Beretta pistol with 21 rounds ammunition and 2 mags, 1 Gun cotton primer, 1 empty metal arms cache.
WO 261/658

10 OCTOBER 1946
At 1213 hours 10 October 1946 it was discovered that 3 Italian rifles and 45 rounds of ammunition were missing from the house of Dr. Weizman in Rehovot.
WO 261/658

12 OCTOBER 1946
At 2045 hours 12 October 1946 at MR 14151975 a hand grenade was thrown at a CMP Piquet travelling in a 15 cwt from Kefar Vitkin. There was no damage.
WO 261/658

13 OCTOBER 1946
At 0950 hours 13 October 1946 two Sephardic or Yemenite Jews held up a man and a woman as they entered a taxi in Tel Aviv, and stole from them LP2600 in cash, wages of the workers at the Yahalom Diamond Company. The robbers ran away firing shots, and escaped in a waiting taxi. It is reported that this is a Stern operation and that the owner of the factory had been twice approached for "subscriptions" which he had refused to pay.
WO 261/656

14 OCTOBER 1946
At 2225 hours 14 October 1946 about 8 Jews were seen by a JSP to enter Yarkona MR 14021727 and start digging. At 2330 hours the Pal Central-Haifa line went dead, and patrols subsequently discovered that it had been cut in Yarkona. A mine was discovered nearby, fitted with a pulligniter; this was probably designed to be Fitted to the cableend when repairs were started.
WO 261/658

16 OCTOBER 1946
At 0330 hours 16 October, 1946, a signal section repairing asimilar break at MR 13931817 found that thecable hadbeen booby-trapped in the way described above. The igniter had been sprung but the mine had not exploded.
WO 275/58

17 OCTOBER 1946
At 2245 hours 17 October 1946 Bbnspector Bruce of the Palestine Police was shot and killed in the Jaffa Road, Jerusalem. His pistol contained three empty cases and it is therefore presumed that he opened fire on his assailants. No other details are known, and apparently none of the Jewish occupants of the street will throw any light on the matter.
WO 261/656

17/18 OCTOBER 1946
During the night 17/18 October a further road mining operation was carried out by the terrorists. It is not known whether it was done by Irgun or Stern, but in view of the similarity to the operation on night 8/9 October, which was reliably reported to be by Stern, it is probable that Stern were also responsible for this one.

If in fact it was the Stern Gang who did both these operations, it shows a new development in their methods. It has not been normal in the past for Stern to carry out road and rail sabotage and mining, which has been chiefly the commitment of Irgun. The feature of these present operations, however, which does connect them with the current personalities, is that they are designed with a definite anti-personnel role as opposed to the mere sabotage of communications.

The mines in the incidents on night 819 October were fitted with anti-lifting devices, which injured one Sgt in this division, and on the same night the electrically detonated mine 4 kilos outside Jerusalem killed 2 ORs and injured a Lt Colonel and 2 other ORs.

The mines which injured two ORs slightly on the road Petah Tiqva-Tel Aviv at MR 1373 1665 and damaged a 3-ton truck, were laid in an unusual manner. There were two mines, placed on each side of the road close to the verge of the tarmac, both connected by flex to an electric plug about 70 yards distant. This plug was evidently designed to fit into an electric battery, but no battery was found, having presumably been removed by the operator immediately after the incident.

On top of the mines were placed loose stones and bits of glass, obviously designed to have a shrapnel effect. The whole contrivance was camouflaged with loose sand to look like a harmless earth mound. It is probable that a similar type of arrangement was used on the same night near Beit Lid crossroads at MR 1407 1892. where three men of 1 DWR were injured in a tank transporter.

Apart from these two incidents, a further three sets of dummy mines, consisting of cardboard shoe-boxes linked with wire or string, were placed across the roads in the Divisional area at Shekhunat Ha Tiqva MR 13051620, at the Hulon junction at MR 1293 1607 and on the Main North Road south of Petah Tiqva at MR 14131623. On this occasion, unlike the last one, the strings of dummy mines did not also include one live mine.
WO 261/656

20 OCTOBER 1946
The week has been comparatively quiet in the Divisional area, with only one serious terrorist incident. This occurred at 2100 hours on 20 October 1946 when a jeep was blown up by mines and it is of interest to note that at 2000 hours a warning was issued from this HQ to all troops that road sabotage might be expected that night.

On the night of 20 October 1946 a jeep belonging to 116 Queens was on duty visiting road blocks. While travelling southwards along the main road from Beit Dajan to Rishon- Le-Zion it was blown up by electrically detonated mines at MR 1321 1543, where there is an Ice Factory and Cold Storage building on the east of the road and a tannery on the west.

There were two mines, laid on the verge of the tarmac, about 3 yards either side of an electric pylon which was used as an aiming mark, and the blast was directed, traces of blast being found up to some 1 10 feet on the other side of the road. The battery exploder was found at the end of 46 yards of flex. The jeep skidded on for about 20 yards and then landed in the ditch upside down. The occupants, Captain Hodges 21C "A" Coy and Private Telling, his driver, were both seriously injured, with bums, multiple abrasions, shock, and Captain Hodges had a fractured humerus. It is hoped that they will both recover.
WO 261/656

21 OCTOBER 1946
Jeep blown up by electrically detonated mine near Rishon Le Zion 13 1152. Casualty 1 officer, 1 OR seriously wounded.
WO 261/564

22 OCTOBER 1946
Train blown up near Battir 163126 (near Jerusalem). 2 Locomotives, 1 goods van damaged, 15-foot line destroyed, 200 feet of line damaged. No casualty.
WO 261/564

24 OCTOBER 1946
On the evening of 24th October, Jewish terrorists made further attacks against British troops in Jerusalem by secreting bombs at or near checking posts manned by British soldiers. Explosions occurred at three places and in each case casualties were inflicted on soldiers manning nearby post. The outrages resulted in injuries to eleven soldiers, one of whom has since died.
FO 371/52563

24 OCTOBER 1946
Three explosions in Jerusalem: 1. X-rds Jaffa road-King George V. Avenue. Time bomb near curfew road block. Casualty 1 OR wounded. 2. Road junction Benyehuda Road- King George V Avenue. Bomb buried in petrol tin in road. Casualty 2 OR wounded. 3. X-roads Mea Shearim Street- Chancellor Avenue. Bomb buried in tin in road. Casualty 2 OR killed, 1 officer wounded, 1 OR wounded.
WO 261/564

29 OCTOBER 1946
At 2330 hours on 29 October 1946 a jeep of 5 Para Bn travelling from Sidna Ali police post north to Camp 21 on duty was blown up at MR 13931785 on the Main North Road (Red Route). The usual two charges were placed on the East of the road, and the flex in this instance was about 150 yards long. Sighting was apparently along a line of trees along the edge of a disused orange grove. The jeep was travelling at 30 m.p.h.

Very little damage was done, apparently partly owing to bad aiming, and partly to inefficient explosives. The charges were 24 feet apart, but at the time of detonation the jeep was evidently not in position midway between charges. The rear of the jeep was undamaged. The windscreen was shattered, and there were cuts in the radiator and front mudguard. Private Pennington was injured, not seriously, mostly by flying glass and the other occupant was only slightly grazed.
WO 261/656

29/30 OCTOBER
1946 Further terrorist attacks were directed against security forces in Palestineduring the course of last night at 10 minutes before midnight on 29/30 October at a point 200 yards south of Kilo 90 on the main Haifa-Jaffa road. Two military vehicles were blown up by electrically detonated mines placed on either side of the highway. One vehicle was badly damaged and its occupants, two British soldiers, injured. Tracks were found which led in the direction of the Jewish Colony of Ganhaiyim. The second attack occurred in the Sheikh Jarrah qtr of Jerusalem shortly before 6 o'clock this morning. Charges placed in the parapet of the road culvert were electrically detonated at the moment when two military vehicles laden with British troops and an Arab civilian truck were passing the spot, at the same time automatic fire was opened on the vehicles from positions North and South of the culvert. Casualties sustained by His Majesty's forces from this attack comprise 2 British other ranks killed, 11 British other ranks injured, 4 of whom are serious, one Arab civilian was injured and has been detained in hospital, for treatment. Police investigations subsequently established that some, at least, of the attackers withdrew in the direction of the Jewish quarters of Nahanayim and Sanhedriya.
FO 371/52563

30 OCTOBER 1946
At approximately 1420 hours on 30 October 1946 a green saloon car No. M 778 stopped outside Jerusalem Railway Station. One girl and two men - one dressed in European and the other in Arab clothing - got out carrying three suitcases. These were deposited in a doorway to the left of the booking office.

An Arab bystander becoming suspicious attempted to stop the girl who drew a pistol and fired at him. The remaining occupants of the car opened fire while the girl and two men got into the car which drove off in a North Easterly direction. Simultaneously the police opened fire hitting the car. At approximately 1530 hours one of the suitcases inside the railway station exploded killing British Constable Smith. Shortly afterwards the second suitcase exploded in the road outside the station, where it had been moved, causing minor damage to the area. The third suitcase in the waiting room exploded shortly afterwards causing considerable damage to the station.

In the meantime, aPolice Patrol car coming from the Jaffa Gate saw a taxi escaping towards Yemen Moshe and went to that area.

The escaping vehicle had been found abandoned by the Security Coy Arab Legion, stationed in this area, who had arrested two Jews, one of whom was wounded. Another wounded Jew was arrested by the Police in a civilian house nearby. All these were members of the Stern Group. The military immediately tightly cordoned off the area. The cordon was strengthened later and at about 17 10 hours a search by 1 A & SH began. 63 male inhabitants between the ages of 16 and 60 were removed for screening by CID personnel, and a number of suspected terrorists detained. The successful outcome of the incident was due largely to the prompt action by personnel of the Arab Legion.
WO 261/564

30 OCTOBER
1946 At about 1430 hours today taxi drew up outside Jerusalem Railway Station and girl entered station and deposited three suitcases. She then reentered taxi which drove away occupants at same time opening fire on the station. Police guard replied. A British Police Constable removed one suitcase which was subsequently harmlessly detonated. On reentering to remove second suitcase he was killed by explosion. Third suitcase also later exploded. Considerable damage was caused to station premises and fire broke out which was extinguished by fire brigade. Police patrol proceeding to scene apprehended Jewish taxi containing three Jews, two of whom were wounded. A further wounded Jew was captured in vicinity. Taxi was found to contain explosives and grenades.
FO 371/52563

30 OCTOBER 1946
2 RUR trucks. 1 Arab civilian truck destroyed by elecmcally detonated mine in Jerusalem. Casualty 2 OR killed, 11 OR wounded. 6 Arab civilians wounded.

Jeep destroyed by mine MR 13931788. Casualty 2 OR wounded.

At 2055 hours near Petah Tiqva truck destroyed by electrically detonated mine. Casualty 2 OR killed, 2 wounded.
WO 261/564

31 OCTOBER 1946
The incident occurred at 2045 hours 31 October 1946 at MR 14121628 South of Petah Tiqva on the Main North Road (Red Route). The 15 cwt truck of 195 Para Field Ambulance was travelling southwards at speed when the explosion caused the driver to lose control. The truck travelled on 30 yards, turned round - and then turned over into the ditch on the same side of the road as the mines (West side). It caught fire and was completely burned out. Two men were trapped, Coiporal Voce andPte Eyre, and both died. Two were thrown clear, Ptes White and Marcroft, escaping with shock and minor injuries.

The first vehicles to arrive at the scene of the incident were those of a patrol of 7 Para Bn, which came along half an hour later at 21 15 hours. A road patrol of 2 Para Bn arrived at 2120 hours.

The two injured men are now in 12th British General Hospital, recovering.
WO 275/42

1 NOVEMBER 1946
At 0410 hours between Hadera and Binyamina 145213, engine derailed, track torn up. No casualty.
WO 261/564

2/3 NOVEMBER 1946
At 1845 hours a patrol of 3 vehicles of 7 Para Bn moving West along the road Tel Aviv-Wilhelma was mined while crossing a culvert over a small wadi at MR 13261612.

The charges were detonated to catch the rear vehicle of the convoy. The driver retained sufficient control to run into a field some 30 yards further on, where the truck caught fire but remained upright. It burnt for some 2 hours, destroying some telephone lines.

The damage to the truck was mostly blast effect on the right (or near) side, the petrol tank being "peppered".

The two charges were placed at either end of the culvert wall, of approximately 7 lbs gelignite each, causing large chunks of concrete masonry to be scattered.

The flex was about 50 yards in length, leading up the wadi to an orange grove with a good view of the East end of the culvert. Either the centre or the East end of the culvert was the aiming mark. Immediately after the explosion automatic fire was opened from two positions to theNorth and South of the road, West of the incident (i.e. towards Tel Aviv). These two positions were attacked by the remainder of the patrol, but no contact was established and the covering party was able to withdraw firing.

Our casualties were 3 stretcher cases and 7 walking wounded, all detained in 12th British General Hospital.
WO 275/42

3 NOVEMBER 1946
On 3 November a clash occurred between Arabs and Jews in, the area of Ez Zawiya 206284. The incident occurred as a result of a Jewish attempt to found a colony close to this Arab village, which is in a predominantly Arab area. It appears that a large number of Jews appeared during the night of 2/3 November and, protected by armed Jewish Settlement Police, they commenced to plough the land and erect huts. The Arabs in the area attacked the Jews and fierce fighting ensued, as a result of which 3 Arabs, including one woman, and two Jews, including one policemen, were killed.
WO 261/564

5 NOVEMBER 1946
At 0045 hours on Tel Aviv-Sarafand line at 13001615 engine derailed. 20 yds track destroyed, 2 of crew slightly injured.

At 2240 hours at Ras El Ain goods train blown up and fired on. Train not derailed but tankers destroyed by small arms fire. Diversionary fire directed at nearby police post. 2 oil tankers burnt out, part of track destroyed. No casualty.
WO 261/564

7 NOVEMBER 1946
On the 7th November at 0540 hours No 6 train from Cairo to Haifa was mined near Bir Yaacov, a charge of 20 lbs were exploded under the fifth coach, two coaches were derailed and one rail cut. One Sgt was injured by broken glass.
WO 261/647

7 NOVEMBER 1946
At 0545 hours between Lydda and Rehovoth tp and passenger train blown up. 5 coaches derailed, 3 OR slightly wounded. Earlier unexploded bomb found on line at Quiryat Hayim.
WO 261/564

8 NOVEMBER 1946
The following day, a sapper from 1 Airborne Squadron RE, accompanying a line patrol from PAL Comd Sigs found a suspicious G.S. cap at a break in the telephone line, he pulled the cap out of the ground, causing an explosion. The cap was attached to a pull ignitor, in a normal wooden box mine.
WO 261/647

9 NOVEMBER 1946
On 9 November Police were summoned by anonymous telephone call to a house in Moshe St, Jerusalem, being told that it contained a hidden explosive store. The house was booby trapped and an explosion occurred during the search by police. Casualty 4 police OR killed,
WO 261/564

10 NOVEMBER 1946
The demolition of Ras El Ein Station on the morning of the loth, by four men with "suitcase" bombs followed quickly on the similar demolition of Jerusalem station. The bombs used at Ras El Ein were stated "to have been intended for Rome." It is a far cry from Rome to Ras El Ein, but the terrorists form part of a world-wide organization and their sabotage is no more confined by the frontiers of one country than are their ideals and their methods by the frontiers of human reason. Ras El Ein 14401680 at 1140 hours. Station demolished by "suitcase" bomb. 1 TAC died of wounds, 3 ORs injured. 4 Jews in blue pickup placed bombs in station-master's office at 1115 hours.
WO 275/58

11 NOVEMBER 1946
Qalqilya 14601765 at 0305 hours. Line blown in two places at Kilo 8 1.
WO 275/58

13 NOVEMBER 1946
Sht Ha Tiqva 12971620 at 0535 hours. Goods train - locomotive and 3 trucks derailed. 1 fireman and 1 police escort injured. Usual electric charges detonated by flex from orange grove.
WO 275/58

13 NOVEMBER 1946
Agoods train blown up on electrically detonated mine near Tel Aviv. Engine and three wagons derailed. 1 TAC (Arab) killed. 1 Arab civilian (fireman) injured. On Jerusalem-Jaffa line a police train blown up on electrically detonated mine. Trolley destroyed. 2 British Police OR killed, 4 Arab TAC killed.
WO 261/564

14 NOVEMBER 1946
Lydda Junction 13851505 at 0430 hours. Maj Newcombe injured by party of 2 or 3 men in bushes who fired 2 shots at him. Men vanished -patrol found nothing.
WO 275/58

14 NOVEMBER 1946
2 15 cwt trucks of PMFdestroyed by electrically detonated mine in St Georges Road, Jerusalem. Casualty 6 British Police wounded.
WO 261/564

15 NOVEMBER 1946
Armed rail trolley and 5 foot line destroyed by electrically detonated mine. 1 OR slightly wounded.
WO 261/564

17 NOVEMBER 1946
At 0530 hours, on 17 November, MR 14371645. An unexploded contact mine was discovered. 1 Airborne Squadron Royal Engineer Captain Newton was killed by the anti-lifting device during disposal.
WO 275/79

17 NOVEMBER 1946
Kefar Sirkin 14371645 at 0530 hours. Pressure-type mine found on line by Patrol of 2 Para Bde. Captain Newton, RE, killed in disposing.

Rehovot 13041447 at 0645 hours. Goods train 17th wagon destroyed. Probably Pressure-type mine. No trace of equipment - no rails or tracks found by police.

Sht HaTiqva 1301 1612 at 0845 hours. Pressure-type mine found on line. RE disposed in situation owing to anti-personnel device which denied handling. 11 Jewish youths in nearby field arrested but released by Police. All students Agric College, Mikve Israel. WO 261/658

17 NOVEMBER 1946
At 2300 hours in Tel Aviv 15 cwt of PMF destroyed by electrically detonated mine. Casualty 3 British police killed, 1 RAF OR killed, 4 British police wounded, 2RAFOR wounded.
WO 261/564

17 NOVEMBER 1946
Mine on railway line 2 kilometres south of Ras El Ain exploded while RE were attempting to move. I RE officer killed and 1 RE OR slightly injured. An unexploded mine also found at Mesheq Yagur. Between Yibnaand Rehovoth 14371645 mine was electrically detonated under goods train. One railway wagon derailed and damaged. No casualty.
WO 261/564

17/18 NOVEMBER 1946
The past week has been eventful. During the weekend, a new type of railway mine, actuated automatically by the weight of the train depressing a sleeper, was used by the terrorists in six places, on 17 and 18 November 1946. These six mines proved very efficacious - a train was derailed, a rail car was damaged, and two RE officers were killed in attempting to dispose of the others.

The Palestine police have been the targets for a number of recent outrages, and after an incident during the night of 17 November, in which a PMF truck was blown up in Montefiore near Tel Aviv, causing 4 fatal and 6 wounded casualties. A number of individuals in the Palestine police took the matter into their own hands. A certain amount of indiscriminate damage to property was sustained on that night by Jews in Montefiore, but on the following night a small organized party of about 20125 police invaded Tel Aviv and caused considerable discomfort to some of the inhabitants. Four or five cafes were "beaten up", 25 Jews were treated in hospitals, and some motor-cars were rudely handled.

At approximately 2300 hours on 17 November a PMF police truck was blown up in Montefiore at MR 13021642.1 RAF Sgt and 1 British policeman were killed - 4 British policemen and 2 RAF ORs were injured. The usual two charges had been placed at the side of the road, fired electrically from about 50 yards distance.
WO 261/656

18 NOVEMBER 1946
Rehovot 13221470 at 0550 hours. 12 L Rail Car blown. 1 man slightly injured. Pressure-type mine. No tracks or trails found by police.

Kefar Sirkin 14391634 at 0730 hours. Pressure-type mine found on line. RE party from 2 Para Bde undertook disposal. Captain Adamson, 9 Airborne Squadron RE, seriously injured and died later. Captain Olivier, 1 Airborne Squadron RE, and 1 Spr injured, at 0912 hours. 1 Para Bde and police investigating for tracks.
WO 261/658

19 NOVEMBER 1946
Ras El Ein 14391717 at 0930 hours. Pressure-type mine found on line. RE disposed at 1040.2 of line destroyed, 1 or 2 sleepers damaged.
WO 261/658

20 NOVEMBER 1946
The Income Tax Office, Jerusalem, was blown up and badly damaged. Terrorists forced their way in the building, beat a TAC over the head and deposited a bomb which was exploded by a TAC firing at it with a rifle. Casualty 1 TAC (Jew) killed, spectators, 1 Officer, 1 OR, 1 British Police OR, 3 civilians wounded.
WO 261/564

23 NOVEMBER 1946
At 0615 hours on 23 November at Kilo 3.400 near Tel Aviv (MR 12971620) an exploded mine was discovered to have damaged 15 metres of line. No trace of wires or equipment was found, so it is not known what type of mine was used. Police followed tracks to the Shekhunat Ha Tiqva quarter, where they were lost.
WO 261/656

23 NOVEMBER 1946
From 2100 to 2135 hours on 23 November heavy fire was directed at 3 men who were seen to be attempting to enter the PMF Camp at Sarona over the perimeter wire. Other men were also seen at the same time lurking in an orchard nearby. The fire was not returned. One woman passer-by was wounded.
WO 275/58

25 NOVEMBER 1946
At approximately 2305 hours on 25 November Captain Kingsford of HQ 1 Infantry Division, while returning from Sarafand to Haifa, was fired on at MR 13581581 near Beit Dajan by a man wearing an Airborne beret. Approximately 7 rounds were fired. Captain Kingsford was wounded in the back, and was later taken to 3 RAF Hospital Tel Litvinsky. The driver was unharmed.

At about 2315 hours 25 November 1946 a 3-tonner of 2 Para Bn driven by Driver Tarks with 15 soldiers inside was travelling from Sarafand toTel Litwinsky. The driver and one man, Private Bint, were armed with pistols; the remainder were unarmed. When the lorry was passing MR 13571579 a man in the uniform of the Para Regt was seen standing on the right side of the road waving arifle above his head and shining a torch. The troops in the lorry shouted to him to put his torch out which he did. The lorry pulled up about Fifty yards further on. Private Bint went back down the road and challenged the man with the rifle who had by now been joined by another man, dress unrecognized. No reply was given to Private Bint's challenge, so he said he would open fire if the man refused to reply. As he said this a burst of Sten or TSMG fire whipped over Private Bint's head. There is doubt as to whether the fire came from the side of the road or not. but Private Bint considers that it came from one of the two men. Being armed only with a pistol Private Bint took cover in the ditch and worked his way back to the lorry. After a pause during which nothing else happened, the lorry moved on. The incident was reported on return to camp. In the opinion of Private Bint and the remainder of the men in the lorry, the two men seen were not English.

Corporal Keates who was in the back of the lorry states that he heard the men talking in a foreign tongue and one of the troops in the lorry said, "He's a pretty rum looking Airborne soldier".
WO 261/658

25 NOVEMBER 1946
Terrorist activities have now turned from the railways to the roads, two curious shooting incidents occurred on the 25th November, a jeep was fired on near Beit Dajan at 23 10 hours, and one officer seriously wounded, half an hour later a 3-ton lorry was fired on in the same area, with no casualties. In broad daylight on one of the busiest roads in Palestine, the Jerusalem-Jaffa road, the terrorists blew up a jeep belonging to 2 FOU, killing 2 Airborne gunners and 2 signallers from Air Comd Fmn. A witness saw two Jews escape from the plunger in a black saloon car down the Seven Sisters road towards Jerusalem.
WO 261/647

30 NOVEMBER 1946
At 0730 hours a dummy mine was found on the railway line North of Ras El Bin at MR 14391712. It consisted of a circular iron case placed under the rail between two sleepers and covered with stones. 4 long cylindrical torch batteries, were in position around it. It was destroyed by RE without damage to the railway.
WO 275/58

30 NOVEMBER 1946
At 1830 hours a bomb exploded in road near Damascus Gate Jerusalem followed immediately by an attack on Police Post in Jaffa Road. This attack by about 25 terrorists failed completely. Casualty 4 civilians wounded.
WO 261/564

30 NOVEMBER/11 DECEMBER 1946
Another feature of this spate of terrorism has been the attacks on military and police installations and HQ. The first attack directed against the Mustashfa Police Billets Jerusalem on the night 30 November11 December was driven off, and from the terrorist point of view could be counted as a complete failure. One of the terrorists was wounded and arrested; no casualties were suffered by military or police. It is believed that this attack was again the work of the Stern group.
WO 261/564

2 DECEMBER 1946
At 1145 hours a jeep of 2 FOU on its way to Jerusalem was blown up at MR 16401340 near the junction of the Seven Sisters Road. 2 Airborne gunners were killed and 2 ORs of Air Formation Signals, Ramle, who were hitch-hiking, were killed. This was the first daylight road-mining incident. The charge is said to have been in position fora week. 2 Jews were seen escaping in a black taxi towards Jerusalem.
WO 261/658

2 DECEMBER 1946
At 2200 hours on 2nd December on the Haifa-Jaffa road new Benyarnina,amilitary jeep was blown up byaroadmine. One British soldier was killed, and three other British soldiers were seriously injured.
FO 371/52566

3 DECEMBER 1946
At approximately 0900 hours a Polish Welfare Officer with L 7,500 in a satchel, which he had just drawn from Barclays Bank Tel Aviv, was attacked at the corner of Ahad Ha'Am Street and Allenby Road (MR 1287 1635). The Jewish police escort opened fire, and in the resulting fray 1 terrorist was killed and 1 seriously wounded with a bullet in the abdomen. A passer-by called Rosenberg was killed, and one Weinstein, who claimed to be a passer-by, was wounded in the leg.

The seriously wounded terrorist was subsequently brought to Hadassah Hospital for an operation at pistol-point. A covering party of some 25 men held up the hospital during the operation. Six men, dressed as hospital staff, removed him from the operating theatre, and he has not been seen since. Medical opinion was that he would not survive the car ride back.

At 2005 hours a jeep of 4 Para Bn was blown by an electrically detonated mine at MR 1393 1783 four kilos north of Ra' Anana police station. Casualties were 1 OR seriously wounded, 1 OR slightly wounded. Tracks of 2 men were followed by the police in the morning towards Ha'Ogen MR 14081781 where they were lost half a mile from the settlement owing to rain.
WO 261/658

3 DECEMBER 1946
At 2020 hours on 3rd December on the Haifa-Jaffa road near Kfar Vitkin, a military jeep was blown up by a road mine. One British soldier was seriously and another slightly injured. At 2200 hours on 3rd December in Haifa a military jeep was blown up by two electrically detonated mines. One British soldier was killed.
FO 371/52566

3 DECEMBER 1946
At 2020 hours at Hadar Hacarmel, Haifa, jeep destroyed believed by mine. Casualty 1 OR killed.
WO 261/564

3,4,5 DECEMBER 1946
The following is the general chain of events surrounding the explosion at HQ South Palestine District on 5 December 1946 as revealed by investigations up to 2000 hours the same day.

On 3 December 1946 3-ton truckL 5616841 on the charge of 478 Coy RASC (Tel Aviv Detachment) was driven to the Coy's workshops, Sarafand, by civilian driver Moshe Marinburg and left there for routine inspection, etc.

The truck was last seen in the workshops at 1600 or 1615 hours 4 December 1946 by a478 Cay NCO; it almost certainly did not leave there before 0700 hours 5 December, 1946. Between, most probably, 0730 and 0930 hours 5 December 1946 it was driven out of workshops, but not "signed off in the normal way, by an unknown person who would have had to produce a work ticket in order to pass the BOR gate-sentries who are of average efficiency.

At approximately 1040 hours the vehicle was driven into the roadway beside A/Q and Medical Branches HQ South Palestine District. The driver produced a workticket, which was in order, when challenged by Pte Mooney, sentry on duty at the entrance to the compound, who, almost due for relief, asked him the time. Pte Mooney described the driver as being a Jew, fairly tall, fair complexioned, wearing a light-brown military -type raincoat and khaki shorts, shoes and short grey stockings; Pte Kestle of 252 FSS who was leaving the compound as the Jew entered descri him as being tall, "Germanic," very fair complexioned with blonde hair and a small moustache and wearing a raincoat, shorts, etc., as already noted. Both witnesses noticed the Jew lift the bonnet of his truck and remove, as they thought, the rotor-arm, paying him thereafter no further attention. It is not improbable that the man was either connecting an electrical timing-mechanism in motion and inserting a detonator into a firing-charge.

The Jewish driver was not seen again. At 1125 hours a charge concealed beneath the driving-cab of the vehicle exploded, completely destroying the 3-ton truck of which only one metal strut bearing the vehicle number remained intact and severely damaging A/Q and Medical Branches of HQ South Palestine District (nearest wall 15 yards away), inflicting casualties as already reported.

At 1 130 hours all gates in Sarafand perimeter were closed. By 1145 hours a description of the Jewish driver had been circulated by FS to all gate-guard-commanders; ASP (Palestine Police) Ramle was escorted into the garrison and briefed shortly after midday and by 1230 hours the unit owning the 3-ton truck had been traced. Inquiries were then taken over by DSP, CID, Jaffa. Upon agreement with "G" Branch HQ South Palestine District, APM and OC tps Sarafand gate-traffic was allowed to resume by 1300 hours under close scrutiny which resulted in a number of temporary detentions.

An identification parade of drivers of 478 Coy RASC Wksps, conducted by SIB and Palestine Police at 1700 hours, was unsuccessful, but a study of employees' photographs produced 'recognition' by both Mooney and Kestle of an ex-commando, Richard Nettl of 16 Melech Koush Street, Tel Aviv, who at least resembled the Jewish driver. Palestine Police are taking necessary action.
WO 275/42

5 DECEMBER 1946
At 1125 hours this morning a military truck blew up apparently as result of time tomb placed in vehicle in front of Military Headquarters, Sarafand. Casualties are reported as one British Officer killed, or believed killed and several military personnel injured.
FO 37 1152566

5 DECEMBER 1946
At 1125 hours a 3-ton Dodge parked 40 feet outside AQ and ADMS huts exploded, demolishing the two huts and causing considerable damage and casualties.

1 Officer and 1 OR were killed - 8 Officers and 15 ORs and 5 civilians were injured. The killed were Captain Laferla - DADH, and Sgmn Lawrence of No. 2 Special Wireless Section.

The truck was driven into the perimeter by a Jewish civilian dressed in mackintosh and shorts and wearing a tooth-brush moustache. His identity card and work ticket were checked by the sentry, and both were in order.

The truck had been taken from No. 478 Workshops, Sarafand, where it had been brought for inspection on the previous day, probably during the same morning. The movements of the official driver of the truck Moshe Marinburg were suspicious on that morning, and he had in fact ample opportunity to have driven it out of the workshops to a pre-arranged rendezvous with the tooth-brush moustache operator. Marinburg has been arrested.
WO 261/658

5 DECEMBER 1946
On 5.12.46 at 11:30 a.m. an explosion was heard in the direction of Sarafand Camp. Police investigation revealed that the explosion had occurred outside the "A" Branch HQ in Sarafand Camp. No 14705421 Rfn R Mooney of 2 Bn RUR, "S" Coy on guard at the "A" Branch HQ states that at 10:15 a.m. he saw a 3 ton truck draw up outside the "A" Branch. He checked the work-ticket and found it in order. The driver alighted and inspected the truck, first the rear and then the bonnet. The guard later asked the driver the time and was told 10:40 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. the guard was relieved by Rfn Hickling of the same unit. Rfn Mooney does not remember seeing the driver between 10:40 a.m. and the time he was relieved. At 11:30 a.m. the explosion occurred, completely wrecking the truck and demolishing two buildings.

Casualties: Captain Laferla and Driver Lawrence RASC both killed, Rfn Hickling wounded in the leg, and a number of civilians suffered injuries from flying debris, etc. Description of the driver that drove the truck into the camp as follows: height about 5'5", dark wavy hair, dark complexion, clean shaven, slim, hatless wearing light fawn raincoat, khaki shorts,grey army socks, civilian shoes. Speaks good English. Amongst the wreckage of the truck was found a WD number plate L 5616841 and a mudguard bearing unit sign 1243 (478 Coy). Investigations proceeding.

At 1125 hours on 5 Dec 46 a heavy explosion from a 3-ton Dodge truck parked outside A/Q branch Hut of HQ South Palestine District devastated the A/Q Hut, severely damaged the adjacent ADMS Hut and caused other damage within a wide area. Windows were broken nearly a quarter of a mile away. Casualties were two killed and 28 injured, of whom 22 were detained in hospital. The killed were: Captain Laferla, DADH HQ South Palestine District, Sigmn Lawrence, NO 2 Spec Wrls Gp.

The explosion must have been caused by a very large quantity of explosive, of the order of up to 200 lbs (RE estimate not yet available). The concrete road was cratered with a hole 415 feet in diameter and over 1 foot deep, and nothing remained of the lorry except a few springs and an axle. A nearby truck of No 2 Spec Wrls Sec was severely damaged and the driver killed.

1128 hours. Truck blew up completely wrecking "A" " Q "MED Branches and Camp Comd's Offices. Truck nearby also blown up. WO 261/647

5 DECEMBER 1946
At 1855 hrs on 5th December in Jerusalem a stolen taxi hit a traffic island and driver lost control, one Jewish occupant and some mines which were being carried in the vehicle fell out into the road, the mines exploded, the Jew was fatally injured, the taxi then hit a tree and blew up, this explosion killed the second Jewish occupant.

Sirens were sounded at 1858 hrs and shortly afterwards heavy firing was directed at the Mustashfa police billet from surrounding houses, attack was beaten off, sniping also took place in the vicinity of Mustashfa police station, a British constable was shot and seriously injured.

At about the same time two grenades were thrown at the guards on a military mess adjoining the G.O.C.'s residence, these exploded but caused no casualties.
FO 371/52566

5/6 DECEMBER 1946
At 1855 hours on 5 December 1946 an explosion occurred at the junction of St. Paul's Road and Street of the Prophets, Jerusalem. The alarm sirens were sounded and simultaneously heavy small arms fire broke out at many points in the city. The explosion was caused by a taxi, which had been stolen earlier in the day from Tel Aviv, running over a mine as it was passing the traffic island in the Street of the Prophets. The occupants of the taxi were themselves in the process of laying mines and one terrorist was flung onto the road and seriously injured subsequently dying in hospital. The driver of the taxi was killed outright and the taxi then ran over another mine which exploded. During this period the vehicle was out of control and an unknown child was knocked down and slightly injured.

At approximately 1900 hours 9 Inf Bde bomb disposal team reported to the Street of the Prophets and proceeded to clear the mines. The taxi was found to contain some more explosive and it was blown up with the body of the terrorist inside.

At approximately 1900 hours highway small arms fire was directed at the Mustashfa Police Billet from surrounding houses. Sniping also took place from the rooftops of isolated houses in the vicinity of the billet. One British Constable was seriously wounded whilst returning fire from the roof of the billet. Small arms fire was directed at the terrorists until 1950 hours when the attack was beaten off. Several grenades were thrown at the billet and some unexploded grenades were found in the vicinity after the incident was over.

Two homemade grenades were thrown at the guards on the GOC's house at 1908 hours. The guards opened fire at the man who threw the grenades but he escaped into Rehavia. At approximately 1921 hours firing was reported by the RAF police in King George V Avenue opposite the DAPM's offices. This incident did not develop.

At approximately 1900 hours an oil bomb was found in Meashearin Street outside the Syrian Orphanage. 1 A & SH disposed of this bomb.

At approximately 2105 hours a truck and a taxi were found abandoned in the Street of the Prophets near Damascus Gate. The taxi contained a quantity of mines and 36 grenades and was pointing in the direction of the Damascus Gate. The truck contained approximately 400 lbs of explosive and a quantity of box mines. Eight men were seen to escape from the vicinity of the truck and the taxi. Blood trails and two pistols were found in the area.

9 Inf Bde bomb disposal team reported to the area of the taxi and truck and proceeded to investigate. The vehicles were considered to be 'booby trapped' and at approximately 2230 hours the taxi was blown up causing very little damage to buildings in the area. At approximately 2240 hours the truck was blown up and caused considerable damage to houses in the area. One house was completely destroyed and six houses were very badly damaged. The whole area had been cleared of civilians before the explosion and in consequence there were no casualties.

The principle object of the terrorists may have been an attempt to destroy Air HQ Levant, which is situated at the Damascus Gate. The attack on the Mustashfa billets and the mine laying being major diversionary attacks. It is interesting to note that all the taxis and trucks involved in the latest incident were stolen in Tel Aviv.

Total casualties throughout the incident were one British Constable injured, one unknown child injured and the two terrorists killed and one terrorist injured.
WO 261/564

8 DECEMBER 1946
In the evening of 8 December explosives placed in the back of a car belonging to Mr. Hayim Klear, Jewish contractor to 179 Leave Camp, set his car on fire. Klear had been expressing anti-terrorist views in public and had received two warning notes.

He has since changed his area of residence.
WO 261/656

10 DECEMBER 1946
The Davar of 10 December, 1946, stated that a car belonging to a Naafi worker in Natanya had been blown up on the night of 9/10 December on passing two jeeps. The Haaretz presumes that a "Molotov Cocktail" was thrown at it. In fact, the car in question was stationary, and investigation disclosed that it had almost certainly been blown up as a warning by the terrorists, due to a delay by the owner in payment of subsidies to them.
WO 275/79

11 DECEMBER 1946
At approximately 0420 hours 25 armed Jews entered the house of Mousa Abu Hasheh near Salama MR 1328 1622 and demanded "the arms that had been taken from them".

Abu Hasheh was beaten up and his son and nephew aged 20 and 19 were abducted. The Muhktar who came with a shotgun (licensed) to assist, was shot in the face and hands by 9mm automatic fire from a covering party; he is detained in hospital.

The boys state that their heads were covered in a sack and they were taken to a hut somewhere on the Herziliya road North of Ramat Gan where they were questioned about the location of certain Jewish arms which had disappeared. They were not badly treated. They returned home at 1420 hours. Had they not been returned, Abu Hasheh, who is an old Arab Rebellion leader, might easily have taken reprisals, with far-reaching consequences.
WO 261/656

15/16 DECEMBER 1946
Once again, for the second week running, there are no anti-British incidents to report. During the lull, the Jews have turned their attention to Arabs and to unpopular Jews. The Salama incident of last week, already referred to in para 1 (b) of this summary was repeated in a very similar form in the North near Nathanya on 15 December, and once again this week a second instance of a Jewish civilian car being fitted with an explosive charge occurred in Nathanya on 16 December.

On 15 December at about 0100 hours 12 armed Jews entered the home of Salman Massoud Metabaleh near Nathanya at approximately MR 13801930 and assaulted his two sons.

Police followed tracks in the morning leading straight into Kefar Haiyim MR 141 195, stopping 150 yards short of the JSP post, where the party appear to have entered a motor car. The Arab has identified Emanuel Shababu, watchman of Kefar Haiyim, as being one of the party. The JSP deny all knowledge of the incident. Shababu has been arrested. On the tracks were found one 9mm Pistol No. 9502 with 8 rounds, and also 8 rounds of 4.5 ammunition.

The purpose of the assault on the Arab is not known, but it looks very much like another Haganah revenge in connection with illegal Haganah arms losses.

At approximately 1300 hours on 16 December a RE party was called to deal with an explosive charge fixed to the exhaust manifold of a lorry belonging to Selig Kunin of Nathanya. The charge was intended to be fired by the dynamo, but was incorrectly wired. A No. 33 electric detonator was used. The charge was successfully removed. This appears to be an attempt at assassination.
WO 261/656

24 DECEMBER 1946
2125 hours. A gang of 10 Jewish youths set upon 3 Airborne troops and 1 KRRC. They were dispersed by 2 Palestine Policemen.

2200 hours. An organized gang of approximately 80 young Jews, under control of a leader, armed with sticks, stones and bottles set up a road block in Herzel Street. They attempted to stop Army vehicles and threw stones etc., at all uniformed personnel, damaging windows in surrounding buildings.
WO 261/658

24/25 DECEMBER 1946
On the night of 24/25 December, in Rehovot, two organized gangs, each of about 40 young Jews, armed with sticks, stones and bottles, attacked Airborne troops who were in that town. There were casualties on both sides, but the initiative lay with the Jews, who even set up a partial road block on the main street and stoned passing military vehicles. Mr. Jacoby, the Davar correspondent, who was intentionally brought out and given a ring-side seat by a member of 317 F.S. Section, had no comment other than that it was an unfortunate accident which he intended to forget. The Jewish attack on British troops on Christmas night was thus not recorded in the Jewish press. It should be mentioned that the Airborne Division behaved with remarkable restraint, and no reprisals were taken for an organized act of hooliganism by the local population, in which three quite innocent troops were seriously injured, one losing his eye.
WO 275/79

26 DECEMBER 1946
Since the termination of the Zionist Congress there have been no terrorist incidents against members of the Forces. There was, however, an organized riot against all uniformed personnel in Rehovoth on Christmas Eve:-

2115 hours - A gang of 10 Jewish youths set upon 3 Airborne troops and 1 KRRC. They were dispersed by 2 Palestine Policemen.

2200 hours - An organized gang of approximately 80 young Jews under control of a leader, armed with sticks, stones and bottles set up a road block in Herzel Street. They attempted to stop Army vehicles and threw stones, etc., at all uniformed personnel, damaging windows in surrounding buildings.

It is noteworthy that the Jewish Special Police made no effort to disband the mob.

The Stern gang raided two Diamond Factories on the afternoon of the 26 December. One in Tel Aviv and the other in Nathanya.

In Tel Aviv at 1630 hours three armed men entered the Shamr DiamondFactory . They held up the two clerks on duty, obtained the keys to the safe, which they opened and removed:- L6000 worth of diamonds, L700 in cash, 60 Government bearer bonds, and 10 Golden Sovereigns.

At Nathanya at 1635 hours 5 armed Jews entered Even DiamondFactory and locked up 4 employees, who hadn't the keys. The five bandits went down the stairs and met the foreman, removed his keys and locked him up.

They then stole raw diamonds valued at LP 15,000. The employees and foreman were warned not to move for half an hour and not to phone the police until 1800 hours. They obeyed these instructions implicitly allowing the robbers to escape.
WO 261/656

26/27 DECEMBER 1946
On the night of 26/27 December, 1946, stones and bricks were hurled at Airborne troops in Natanya as part of the same organized campaign of Christmas provocation. Even in the outbreak in Natanya on 26 December by a small number of friends of the soldiers who had been injured on Christmas Eve, no physical damage to the inhabitants was caused. The Jewish press was once again remarkably quiet about the whole affair, thus showing that in fact the blame lay in great part with the Jews, and that they were not willing to resuscitate the matter.
WO 275/79

29 DECEMBER 1946
At 1925 hours on 29th December, a British Army Major was kidnapped from a hotel in Nathanya by a party of armed Jews. He was flogged with 18 strokes and subsequently released and returned to the hotel.

The same evening, at about 2030 hrs, two British Staff Sergeants were abducted by aparty of armed Jews in Tel Aviv and taken by car to the Zoological Gardens. Each was flogged with 18 strokes.

At 2130 hrs, the same evening, five armed Jews entered a cafe at Rishonlezion and abducted the most senior officer present, a British Staff Sergeant. He was removed a short distance and flogged with a rope and received 18 strokes. He suffered severe bruises and abrasions and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

Five armed Jews attempted to rush a road block near Wilhelma shortly before midnight. In the ensuing gunfight, one Jew was seriously wounded and three Jews were captured. Among the equipment in the car was one Thompson machine gun, 2 pistols, 4 hand grenades and 2 rawhide whips.
FO 371/61761

29/30 DECEMBER 1946
During a recent aimed robbery perpetrated by terroristson a bank in Jaffa, one of the last Jews who was caught, was sentenced to receive eighteen strokes of the whip. The sentence was promulgated on 17 December.

NMO broadcasts, and IZL posters which appeared in the Division Area on 17 December, threatened the British Authorities that any British Officer who fell into the hands of the terrorists would be flogged if the sentence passed on the bank robber was carriedout. The sentence was, in fact,carried out shortly afterwards.

It was to be expected, therefore, that some further kidnapping of British personnel would take place in the near future.

On the evening of 29 December, three kidnapping incidents took place, and one British officer and three British ORs were flogged. A fourth incident is suspected to have taken place, but information concerning this and the second two confirmed incidents, is still neither detailed nor complete.

At 1925 hours the BM of 2 Para Bde was captured by 10 armed men in Nathanya whilst inspecting a picket of his Bde which was at that time in the town which was, otherwise, out of bounds to troops not on duty.

The BM was driven in a taxi to a coastguard station about three miles south of Nathanya, was bound to a bench, and received 18 lashes. The Jews then made off, leaving one behind, to untie the MB's hands. The BM is able to recognize the last of the Jews after whom he ran as soon as he had finally released himself.

The BM accompanied a Police patrol to the scene of the incident shortly afterwards.

S/Sgts Wright and Ventham were captured in Tel Aviv at about 2000 hours and flogged in a similar manner in the Zoological Gardens of that town.

Pte Gillam of 414 Horse Tpt Coy, RASC was kidnapped from the Cafe Tirza in Richon somewhat later in the evening. He apparently only received 8 lashes, but is being detained in 12 General Hospital.

An Airborne soldier was seen by a Palestine Policeman and some onlookers to have been kidnapped by the occupants of a taxi which drew up beside him on the Jaffa-Tel Aviv road. The taxi then set off in the direction of Allenby Road.

Two incidents took place in Rehovoth at about 300315 B hours and 300320 B hours respectively. They are as follows: (a) 20-30 shots were fired at a JSP patrol in Rehovoth. One policeman wounded in leg. No other casualties. (b) Light automatic fire was aimed from an easterly direction at Rehovoth Police Station. The Police answered with two 2" mortar shells and 6 red flares. There were no casualties.

On 13 September 1946, the Ottoman Bank in Tel Aviv was raided by armed Jewish terrorists. Casualties were caused to civilians and to bank employees, and a number of the raiders were captured. One of these, Benjamin Kimchin, was tried by Military Court during December and sentenced to 18 strokes of the cane and 18 years imprisonment. This sentence was confirmed by the GOC on 17 December. As a result of this, the Irgun issued pamphlets threatening that if the punishment were carried out, British officers were liable to be caned.

During the evening of 29 December, four members of HM Forces were abducted and whipped by gangs of terrorists. At 1925 hours at the Hotel Metropole in Namya, five armed Jews entered the Hotel lounge and removed Major EAS Brett DSO. Outside he was forced into a car and taken to a point two miles south of the town. Major Brett was then marched into a field and stripped of his clothes. He was tied face downwards on a bench and given 18 strokes with a whip. After the gang had departed Major Brett succeeded in freeing himself and walked back to the hotel.

At 2030 hours on the same evening, two Staff Sergeants were kidnapped by 8 armed Jews at the Armen Hotel in Tel Aviv. They were forced into a car and taken to the Zoological Gardens. Both were stripped and given 18 strokes each with what appeared to be a gharry whip, and then released. Later, in Rishon, 6 armed, masked men entered the cafe Tirza and held up all the soldiers, who were then searched for arms. The senior rank, a Staff Sergeant, was then removed from the cafe and marched about 50 yards away where his clothes were taken off. He was given 8 strokes with what appeared to be a heavy rope and then released.

As a result of these outrages, road-blocks were established throughout the coastal area. Near Petah Tiqva, a car tried to force a road-block. During an exchange of shots, the car was halted, one Jew was mortally wounded and four more were captured. In the car, as well as 2 TSMGs, 2 revolvers and four grenades, 2 rawhide whips were found.
WO 275/42

29/30 DECEMBER 1946
On the night of 29/30 December, 1946, unarmed British personnel were captured and flogged by terrorists, yet in subsequent searches, Airborne soldiers behaved with moderation and control. Members of 317 F.S. Section took the Jewish newspaper correspondent to the scene of the screening in Rehovot,and showed him what was taking place. The Mayor of Rehovot had no complaints, yet next day in Davar, the reporter claimed that he had been present, without comment, and added that he "received a number of reports of savage and cruel behavior by Airborne troops; the KRRC
behaved well."
WO 275/79

NOTES TO CHAPTER FIVE

1. British Command Paper No. 6873.
2. Hansard, House of Commons Debates, April 30, 1946, p. 38.
3. Ibid., July 1, 1946, pp. 1795-1796.
4. Ibid., pp. 1796-1797.
5. Ibid., July 31, 1945, pp. 958-962.
6. Ibid., pp. 975-976.
7. Ibid., pp. 987-988.
8. Ibid., pp. 990-991.
9. Ibid., pp. 1069-1070.