CHAPTER SIX — part 3 of 4

5 JUNE 1947
At 0145 hours on 5 June, 1947, an explosion took place at the Athlit Railway Station (MR 14472333) which damaged two stone buildings, one of which is the Station Office, Waiting Room, and Signal Box, the other contains the Station Master's rooms. The two buildings are surrounded by a single coil dannert fence. The rear wall of the Station Office was cracked, and half the side wall blown down, the room is full of debris though the signal levers which are on a raised platform at the front of the building are still functioning. A wall joining the two buildings was demolished and though the Station Master's rooms are filled with debris there appears to be no structural damage. The track is not damaged.

At 0115 hours on 5 June, 1947, a Jewish TAG, Zwi Rosenbaum, was on guard inside the perimeter when a dog which was with him started barking. He went to the perimeter entrance and saw "three shadowy figures about forty yards away". The three figures approached and one hit him on the face, knocking him to the ground. The Jews then entered the perimeter and placed two boxes against the wall of the station office. On leaving the perimeter, the Jews told the guard to tell everyone in the two buildings to get out as it would be blown up in ten minutes. The three Jews then departed.

The TAC warned the Station Master and then informed Athlit police station by phone at approximately 0130 hours. Police from Athlit went to the station but the explosion took place before they arrived.
WO 275/44

5 JUNE 1947
In the early hours of the morning of 5 June, an explosion occurred in the Athlit Railway Station buildings, which damaged several rooms. A Jewish TAC, who was on guard at the Station, stated that, prior to the explosion, he heard a dog barking; he went outside the perimeter and walked about 40 yards North up the track where he saw three people. He was then held up by these three people for about three minutes. He was then told that explosives had been placed in the buildings and to warn anybody there to evacuate. He returned immediately to the Station and saw two wooden boxes. The Station Master was warned and Athlit Police Station notified but the explosion took place before the arrival of the police.
WO 275/79

5 JUNE 1947
Roughly an hour and a half after the Athlit incident, the IPC oil pipeline was almost completely severed by an explosion near Kefar Hasidim, The oil seeped into the wadi Quishon, and later was ignited by a cause unknown. The fire was extinguished the same morning; and at 1800 hours on 5 June, the pipeline was repaired.
WO 275/79

5 JUNE 1947
Railway lines mined at Sht Hat Tiqva 130162. Engine of goods train damaged at 0755 hours. No casualty. Railway lines mined at MR 14392161. Engine and 5 box cars derailed at 0910 hours. No casualty.
WO 261/568

9 JUNE 1947
At 1230 hours, discovery of explosives dump at 27 David Street, Jerusalem.

Staff of Hovala TPT Company held up by armed Jews who were followed to 27 David Street. Search of premises revealed: 3 milk chums containing 212 sticks gelignite, 40 Ibs black powder, 9 hand grenades. 439 assorted detonators, 15 coils safety fuse, 163 sticks Nobels 808, 46 Ibs black blasting powder; 1 ruck sack containing 49 sticks nobels 808, 6 pressure contacts electric, 9 bombs each comprised of 20 sticks Nobels 808 and detonators; six 1 gallon tins of explosive powder not classified; 1 haversack containing 2 slabs guncotton, 4 slabs TNT, 8 acid delay bottles, various fuses, plugs and quantity WD web equipment.
WO 261/568

9 JUNE 1947
Abduction of two British Police at approximately 1700 hours on 9th June.

A Jew approached the Gal Gil bathing pool at Ramat Gan and pushed his way into enclosure. At the same time six other Jews armed with T.S.M.G.S. and revolvers also entered the enclosure and one of them approached and held up with a revolver a British Police N.C.O. and Constable who were in bathing costumes near the entrance. One of these who tried to resist was struck on the head with a stick. He and his companion were marched under armed escort to a waiting vehicle which drove off. As the abductors left they threw two smoke bombs. The telephone at the entrance to the pool was later found disconnected. The truck used in the abduction, a stolen vehicle, was recovered at 04.10 hours in Hertzlia.
FO 371/61780

10 JUNE 1947
Abduction of British Sergeant Hackett and British Constable Ward, Palestine Police, from swimming pool at Ramat Can at 1700 hours.

At approximately 1700 hours, party of about 10 armed thugs arrived at swimming pool. 2 entered and the 2 British Policemen were taken out and put in a vehicle. Vehicle driven straight to Qiryat Shaul. At 1200 hours, 11 June, Qiryat Shaul was cordoned and search started. Guards became alarmed and left the policemen who made their escape. Search of house where captives were held revealed: 1 TSMG and 2 mags; 2 loaded revolvers; 2 .77 Smoke grenades; 3 TNT smoke bombs; and 2 Biretta automatics and 2 mags.
WO 261/568

12 JUNE 1947
Two small explosions took place on the evening of 12 June. The first was in the iron-mongers shop belonging to Emst Simonsohn of 10 Sara Street, Haifa, and the second was in the Camel Oriental Wine Company, at the junction of Phelia Street and King George Avenue, also in Haifa. In each case, some damage was done to property only, and about 8 lbs of explosive was used. The bombs appear to have been fired by a normal time fuse, and could both have been placed and initiated by one almost untrained Jew. The motive seems to have been either intimidation or extortion, and both incidents closely resemble a spate of similar minor explosions which took place towards the end of last year. It is interesting that Simonsohn was supposed to have been a purchaser of milk from Arab merchants.
WO 261/568

12 JUNE 1947
At 22.15 hours on 12th June a party of eleven Jews (10 Male and one Female) some masked and armed, entered Reuters office in Tel Aviv, ordered the occupants to lie on the floor and stole one typewriter, one accounting machine and the office telephone. At 22.10 hours, a bomb exploded in a Jewish dairy in Haifa causing extensive damage. At 23.15 hours, a bomb was placed on the window sill of a Jewish firm in Haifa. Its explosion caused slight damage to the premises.
FO 371/61776

18 JUNE 1947
Discovery of tunnel being driven under Citrus House, Tel Aviv. 1 Jew killed.

Explosion occurred in house opposite Citrus House at 1000 hours. Building searched and tunnel discovered in cellar. Tunnel had been dug to a length of 45' and was 3' x 3'. Body of a Jew found and identified as being Zeev Werber, a member of Hagana, sent to fill in the tunnel.
WO 261/568

19 JUNE 1947
On the evening of the 19 June, a small bomb containing about two lbs of explosive blew up in a porch of the English Girls School in Shabatai Levy Street, Haifa. Very little damage was done, and it is thought that the object of the incident was to deter Jewish mothers from sending their daughters to a "foreign" school. If this is, in fact, the reason, then the bomb failed to achieve the object.
WO 275/79

22 JUNE 1947
At about 16.30 hours on 22nd June an attempt was made by five or more Jewish terrorists (one a woman) to abduct Mr. C.J.C. Pound A.S.P. I/C Frontier Control while shopping in Jerusalem. Alarm was raised by nearby Jewish shopkeeper after Pound had been struck on the head and temporarily rendered unconscious. Assailants made off. None of the attackers was arrested. Pound sustained slight injuries only.

Four pistols, two coils of rope, bandages and chloroform were found on the scene.
FO 371/61776

22 JUNE 1947
Attempted abduction of ASP Pound from Jordan Bookshop, Julian's Way, Jerusalem. At approximately 1645 hours, ASP Pound entered bookshop to collect weekly order, and was set on by 2 men and 1 girl. Alarm was raised and kidnappers escaped. Bottle of chloroform and loaded pistol found in shop after incident.
WO 261/568

24 JUNE 1947
Explosive parcel thrown from passing civilian 15 cwt into garden of house near Mil Courts, Jerusalem. Parcel exploded on contact with ground causing slight damage. On searching house on morning of 25 June, booby-trapped mattress and table found in cellar.
WO 261/568

25 JUNE 1947
At about 1.30 p.m. on 25th June, an unsuccessful attempt was made by Jewish terrorists to abduct Mr. A. Major, M.B.E., A.D.M., Administrative Officer to Government Liaison Office. Mr. Major was attacked by a group of men on entering his wife's flat in King George's Avenue. Mr. Major's wife is Jewish. Although struck on the head he resisted their attempts to chloroform him and ran outside where the occupants of a passing military vehicle saw him and stopped. The attackers escaped after firing at the car and wounding its driver in the arm.
FO 371/61776

28 JUNE 1947
At 21.40 hours on the 28th June Police were informed by an anonymous telephone call in English that shooting had occurred in Allenby Road, Tel Aviv. On investigation it appeared that some fifteen shots had been fired at four British soldiers who were walking along the street. Three of the four have died of their wounds, the fourth is less seriously wounded. The exact circumstances of the attack are not yet known.
FO 37 116 1776

28 JUNE 1947
The recent lull in Jewish activity was broken at 10 O'clock on the evening of Saturday, 28 June, when two or three young Jews - it is still not certain exactly how many were involved -drove up in a taxi which had previously been borrowed in the usual manner, to the Astoria restaurant in the centre of Haifa. One of the Jews jumped out of the taxi and directed several bursts of light automatic fire through a frosted and curtained window at the people within the restaurant. Three officers were hit and a civilian barman was injured by splinters. Two Airborne officers, who were standing just out of the direct line of fire, ran out by a side door and opened fire on the Jew as he was getting back into the taxi, which immediately drove off. A number of hits were registered, and a tire was punctured by bullets. The occupants, however, were able to escape along a side street and were lost among the many Jews in the streets at that time of night. One Sten gun, one TSMG and two grenades were found in the back of the taxi which had been riddled with bullets, together with some loose hair and a satisfactorily large number of pools of blood.

The attack was probably carried out by the Stern Gang, and bears the ruthless kill and run stamp of that organization. The choice of time and place appears to have been carefully decided before the attack since firstly, the Jewish proprietress of the Astoria is well known for her reasonable outlook and views on the Palestine problem and secondly, the restaurant is usually crowded with officers on Saturday night.
WO 275/79/f8

28 JUNE 1947
At approximately 2230 hours a taxi stopped outside the Astoria Bar Haifa. From the taxi jumped a youth of about 17 years of age who entered the bar with TSMC in his hand. He fired one burst round the room and severely injured Captain Kissane 9th Bn. Then there was a slight lapse in which time most of the occupants had gone to earth. Then another youth entered with a TSMC and fired another burst round the Bar injuring (not severely) Major Waddy 9th Bn and Lieutenant Laws 6 Airborne Division Anti-Tank Regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Rickford, CO 3rd Bn phoned me up and corroborated this and said that he had dispatched Captain Kissane to Government Hospital under escort of Captain Glover 9th Bn, also present in the Bar, and Major Waddy and Lieutenant Laws to 42nd General Hospital.

Besides the aforementioned officers, Major Lawson 9th Bn, Major Liddle Daaq., Major Cordaza GII "I" and other officers of 3rd Bn were also present.

Members of the party had fired at taxi on its departure and when found in Hadar had several bullet holes in back. There is information phoned 3rd, 8th and 9th Bns with reference to the woman who was detained by Military Personnel.

All Bns 'C' Squadron have been informed of this incident, and the three injured officers were admitted to 42 General Hospital this evening.

'C' Squadron and 8th Bn instructed to maintain Road blocks until further notice though as from 0500 hours they may allow vehicles into Haifa at same time keeping strong check on passengers, etc.

Received following information from 42 General Hospital: Captain Kissane 9th Para Bn - Died at 0355 hours 29th June; Major Waddy 9th Para Bn - has been operated on successfully and is in satisfactory condition. Lieutenant Laws 6 Airborne Anti-Tank Regiment - O.K.
WO 275/44

29 JUNE 1947
At between 1500 and 1530 hours on 29th July, two British Officers and three B.0.R.s of Guards Brigade were attacked by a number of armed persons, believed to be Jews, while bathing near Hertseleiya. One British Officer was struck over the head and sustained injury and two British Other Ranks were wounded, one seriously.
FO 371/61776

29 JUNE 1947
At Herzlia on 29 June, a bathing party was attacked on the beach by an armed party of the Stern Group. They returned the fire, and the attackers made off. Two soldiers were wounded.
WO 275/64

30 JUNE 1947
Two Jeeps of the Palestine Comd Sigs Regt proceeding along the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem, were fired on by automatic fire. The vehicles stopped and the occupants took cover and failed to return the fire. There were no casualties. Later dogs were sent for and followed the scent to a place where the fire came from, where two hangman's ropes were found. Later in the month the occupants were tried for leaving their vehicles and mail without defending them. Two were convicted.

Shortly before the Brigade Comd made a broadcast to the civilians on the position of the British soldiers and the question of restriction and cooperation on both sides - two British Constables were shot dead. This resulted in certain areas in Jerusalem which were to be put back as In Bounds, being kept Out of Bounds.
WO 261/644

3/4 JULY 1947
There is a report from Haifa that three attacks were carried out by Irgun Z'vai Leumi on middle-aged Jews and their families living in the town. Joseph Grossfield of 17 Pevsner Street, Joseph Ahroni of 19 Sokoloff Street, and Joseph Aharonovitz of 29 Hashomair Street, together with friends and relatives in their houses were beaten up by parties of 15 or 20 Jews who left notes with the Irgun Z'vai Leumi emblem on top, saying that these acts were in the nature of a reprisal for previous beatings up, and for the "anti-terrorist" attitude of the victims. A usually reliable source has reported that these acts are part of the increasing feud between the Haganah and Irgun Z'vai Leumi, and that this vendetta and retaliation is liable to continue indefinitely. News of the incident reached the Jewish Press.
WO 275/79

12 JULY 1947
At approximately 0045 hours on 12th July two military N.c.0.'s of the Field Security were abducted in Nathanya by a party of armed Jews who arrived in a taxi. The two N.C.O.'s were in the company of a Jewish clerk. All three were ordered to enter the vehicle. Whilst doing so one of the N.c.0.'~ was struck on the head with a firearm. The Jewish clerk was blindfolded. Car was driven round for some twenty minutes and then the clerk was put out of the vehicle and placed under guard. Later a car drove up and the Jewish clerk was interrogated. On being satisfied that he was a Jew his interrogators placed him in the car and he was driven for another twenty minutes. He was then left bound and still blindfolded in an orange grove. At dawn he managed to escape with the assistance of a local resident and reported to Security Authorities. Orange grove is short distance north of Nathanya. Clerk states one of the N.C.O.'s may have been chloroformed. Captors reported to have said the lives of the condemned Jewish prisoners were more valuable than those of British Sergeants.
FO 371/61782

13 JULY 1947
On the evening of 13th July, lorry carrying explosives under escort of British Constable was forced to stop near Petah Tiqvah by another lorry obstructing it. Ten armed Jews surrounded the lorry and shot the British Constable dead. They then placed the driver, who was a Jew, in the back of the lorry and drove off. Driver was subsequently released and reported to the Police. Investigations proceeding.
FO 37 1145378

16/17 JULY 1947
At 17.50 hours an electrically detonated mine exploded on the Petah Tiqva-Lydda Road, damaging two military trucks carrying personnel. One B.O.R. killed one B.O.R. seriously injured and two B.0.R.s slightly injured. Four Jewish suspects arrested. At 18.05 hours an electrically detonated mine exploded on the Haifa-Tel Aviv road north of Petah Tiqva. A passing jeep was damaged and four of its occupants, one British Officer and three B.0.R.s were injured. At 22.42 hours in Jerusalem two W.D. trucks were damaged by electrically detonated mines. Two B.0.R.s were seriously wounded and eight other members of His Majesty's Forces were injured. At 22.50 hours in Jerusalem an escort car was slightly. damaged by the explosion of a mine. No casualties among occupants. Eight civilians were slightly injured as a consequence of the explosion. At 17.40 hours near Hadera an electrically detonated mine exploded near a military staff car travelling on the Haifa Jaffa Road. Slight damage. No casualties.
FO 371/61 776

18 JULY 1947
At 05.15 hours on 18th July near Kfar Bilu (Rehovoth) a military truck was damaged by an electrically detonated mine. One British sergeant fatally wounded. Three B.0.R.s slightly injured. At 09.00 hours automatic fire was directed at a military vehicle in Jerusalem. One British sergeant and one British private wounded. One Jewish civilian seriously injured.
FO 371/61776

18 JULY 1947
At 09.05 hours on 18th July, a military staff car and jeep were fired at near Jerusalem on Jerusalem-Jaffa road. No casualties. At 17.45 hours on 18th July in Jerusalem, a grenade was thrown at personnel on duty at a zone gate. One B.O.R. slightly injured. At 19.30 hours on 18th in Jerusalem, an incendiary bomb was thrown at a police vehicle causing it to catch fire. No casualties. At 05.45 hours on the 18th July, an electrically detonated mine exploded on the main Gara road south of Rehovoth, extensively damaging a W.D. truck.
FO 371/61776

20 JULY 1947
At 1200 hours (noon) a mine exploded in front of a goods train on the main Haifa-Kantara line between Zichron Yaaqov and Benyamina. Track slightly damaged. No casualties or damage to train. At 1300 hours an electrically detonated mine exploded on the Jaffa-Haifa road north of Hadera as a 15 cwt W.D. vehicle was passing. One B.O.R. killed, two B.O.R.'s seriously and one B.O.R. slightly injured. At 1655 hours in Jerusalem a British Constable on duty at Mustashfa billet was shot and wounded from roof of neighbouring house. At 2243 hours an electrically detonated mine exploded in Jerusalem as a police armoured car was passing. Two British Constables and one F.P.C. slightly injured. Between 2300 and 2330 hours Mustashfa police billet was fired on. No casualties. At 2305 hours a police armoured car was fired on in Jerusalem. No casualties. At 2310 hours an electrically detonated mine exploded in Jerusalem injuring three British Constables in an armoured car. At 1930 hours a military camp at Tel Litwinsky was attacked by mortar and machine gun fire. No casualties.
FO 371/61776

21 JULY 1947 The Radar station at MR 14812473, within the Cantonment area on Mt. Carmel was attacked by a party of some 15 Jews at approximately 0115 hours on 21 July. The attack was driven off by small arms fire which seriously wounded 1 Jew who was captured. Under interrogation, he stated that he was a member of the Palmach. There were no British casualties and the attack was a complete failure. The captured Jew died later in hospital.
WO 27.5146

21 JULY 1947
At 0120 hours a military camp in Haifa was attacked with grenades and machine-gun fire. No damage or casualties to security forces. One Jewish attacker fatally wounded. At 0350 hours a military installation in Haifa was attacked and radio equipment was destroyed by explosives. Four Palestinian S.P.'s injured, none seriously. One Arab civilian seriously injured by a mine. There was also extensive road mining. At 0930 hours a mine exploded on the Haifa-Jaffa road near Hadera. No casualties or damage. At 1200 hours (noon) minor damage was caused by explosion to I.P.C. pipe line near Kfar Yehoshua in Haifa district. At 1830 hours in Haifa a W.D. jeep was blown up by an electrically detonated mine. Two British soldiers and one Jewish policeman injured. One Jewish boy killed. Three Jewish civilians injured. At 1850 hours the I.P.C. pipe line was damaged by two explosions near Affuleh. At 2030 hours bomb was found in Haifa and exploded in site by R.E. No casualties.
FO 371/61776

21 JULY 1947
At 1114 hours on 21 July, a pipeline patrol from 1 Mech Regiment Arab Legion at Jalama saw an explosion on the pipeline at MR 163223 13. Six Jews were observed running away from the scene of the incident. Of these, four were captured. One Jew was observed escaping into the nearby Jewish Settlement of Kefar Yehoshua MR 16323 1. The four captured Jews were handed over to Jalama Police station. One of them was wearing a holster containing a German automatic pistol, and one was carrying a shovel. A broken pick-axe was found in the area. After the interrogation later by the CID, they were released as the CID stated that they were satisfied these Jews were not implicated in the incident. The pipeline was fractured by the explosion. An IPC repair party arrived and repairs commenced immediately.
WO 275/46

21 JULY 1947
A well-planned and successful attack took place at approximately 0345 hours on 21 July, on the wrls telephone station (10 set site) MR 15342390 near Ahuzzat. Approximately 15 Jews appear to have approached the installation from the direction of Nesher 155241. One party laid mines on the road between 10 set site and "A" Squadron 3 H, the nearest military camp at 15232407, whilst the remainder cut the wire surrounding the wrls station. Under covering fire which wounded all four SP's on duty, a set of saboteurs entered the camp and placed the charges which completely demolished the wrls equipment. The attackers withdrew without casualty, leaving behind them 1 Sten, 2 phosphorous gens, 2 Jewish-pattern hand grenades and assorted ammunition. There were no British casualty, but one of four SP's who were wounded, is in a critical condition.
WO 275/46

21 JULY 1947
The explosions took place at approximately 1815 hours on 21 July on the IPC pipeline at MR 17972283 in the area of Tel Adashim. The explosions, which fractured the pipeline, were approximately 100 yards apart. It is estimated that approximately 12 lbs of explosive were used in each case. The loss of oil incurred was slight as the flow of oil along the pipeline had been interrupted to allow the repairs on the earlier break to be carried out.
WO 275/46

21 JULY 1947
At 1828 hours on 21 July, a jeep, belonging to 6 Airborne Division Signals, which was carrying the Public Address equipment, was blown up in Hehalutz Street, Haifa. The BOR driver was slightly injured. Another BOR in the vehicle received face injuries, and a Jewish Palestine Police interpreter was seriously wounded in the neck. Casualties were caused to nearby Jewish civilians, a boy being killed by blast and a woman and two children injured.

It is estimated that approximately 5 lbs of explosive were used in the mine which was electrically detonated by the usual bell-push device from a house 30 yards away. The jeep was damaged by blast and rubble from the buried mine. (Orders are being issued for the forfeiture of the house to the Government.
WO 275/46

21 JULY 1947
At 1815 hours on 21 July, two explosions were heard in the area of the Jewish settlement, Tel Adashim, 179229.

Investigation revealed that the IPC pipeline had been cut in two places, a 100 metres apart, approximately one kilo east of Tel Adashim, MR 17972294. This pipe is of standard mild steel construction, 12" in diameter, and is covered by about 3 feet of heavy red soil.

The saboteurs had packed charges against the pipe which in the resulting explosions was in both cases dented on the side nearest the charge and shattered by tension on the far side. From the size of the craters, 4' x 4', and from the damage caused to the pipe, it is estimated that each charge consisted of about 12 lbs of high speed explosive, which had been initiated in the usual manner by Bickford fuse, detonator and gun cotton primer. As the flow of oil had been cut off whilst repairs were being carried out on the fracture which had occurred at 1 1 14 hours on the same day near Kefar Nehoshua, only a slight amount of static oil was lost.

Between the craters, an excavation was discovered which was thought might contain an unexploded charge. A det from 9 Airborne Squadron RE was called in to investigate. Owing to the darkness, it was found impossible to conduct a detailed inspection and therefore, 2 lbs of gun cotton were placed in the hole and detonated. The resultant explosion indicated that no other explosives were present.
WO 275/46

21 JULY 1947
A double pipe-line incident took place in Galilee on 21 July, when the IPC line was blown up at two places by buried charges at midday and 181 5 hours, respectively. The incident would appear to be by Palmach, and four Jews, of whom one was armed and the remainder carried digging tools, were arrested near the scene of the first explosion. It is believed that the armed Jew was a Jewish Settlement Police, and all four are later reported to have been released by the Police.
WO 275/79

22 JULY 1947
At 1000 hours an electrically detonated mine exploded in Haifa as a military truck was passing. One B.O.R. slightly injured, At 1458 hours in Jerusalem two grenades were thrown at an Arab civilian truck as it was leaving Pay Corps Headquarters. Attackers believed to be three Jews. No damage or casualties. At 1700 hours shots were fired at an R.A.F. vehicle in Jerusalem. One R.A.F. other rank and one Jewish civilian slightly injured. At 1805 hours a fire bomb was thrown at a police armoured car in Jerusalem. Two Jewish civilians sustained bums. At 1837 hours a fire bomb was thrown at an R.A.F. vehicle in Jerusalem. No damage or casualties. Shortly afterwards, Mustashafa Police Billet and Station were fired on. Police, reinforced by military, returned fire. General attack ensued which lasted until approximately 2030 hours. One Jewish female slightly injured. Sniping followed at various points in Jewish quarters and a fire bomb was thrown by Jews at a Police armoured car. Personnel opened fire, wounding one (?word omitted) Jew has been detained. A Police patrol was later fired on but sustained no casualties. One suspect was arrested. There was also some road mining.
FO 37 1161783

22 JULY 1947
At 1005 hours 22 July, a 15 cwt truck belonging to "A" Squadron 3 H, carrying mails between "A" Squadron and RHQ, was blown up at the junction of Moriah Street - Hanadim Street - Ma'Adarot Street on Mt. Camel. The driver was uninjured but a British LICorporal in the vehicle received slight wounds in the neck. The mine was detonated by usual bell-push device from approximately 50 yards East of road junction in an area of waste ground. The mine is believed to have been detonated by a Yemenite Jew. The CID have detained, for questioning, two vendors and a gardener who witnessed the incident.
WO 275/46

23 JULY 1947
At 0150 hours a military truck was mined in Haifa. Four B.0.R.s seriously injured. At 0900 hours near Rehovoth a military truck was blown up. One British Army Officer and six B.O.R.'s injured. Of these, the Officer and one B.O.R. were seriously injured.
FO 371/61783

23 JULY 1947
At 20.05 hours an explosion occurred in a school compound occupied by the Army in Haifa. Believed to be due to a time bomb. One British Army Officer slightly injured. At 21.20 hours an explosion, believed to be of a time bomb, occurred in a military car park in Haifa. Three B.O.R.'s slightly injured. At 13.40 hours on the Haifa-Jaffa Road near Khirbet Beit Lidd a military car was blown up by a mine. Three B.O.R.'s seriously and one B.O.R. slightly injured. Two landmines, a grenade, a haversack of explosives, a mortar bomb and two detonating sets were found in Nathanya during search operations.
FO 371/61783

24 JULY 1947
At 05.31 hours a mine was found under a railway culvet on the main Haifa-Kantara line near Zichron Yaaqov. Detonated by military causing damage to culvert estimated at 2,500 Pounds. At 10.40 hours four shots were fired by unknown persons at a car in which the District Officer Bethlehem was travelling on the Jerusalem-Bethlehem Road. At 11.30 hours 5 or 6 armed men described as Oriental Jews entered a diamond polishing workshop in Tel Aviv and stole diamonds valued at 3,500 Pounds. At 13.45 hours shots were fired at the Officers Club in the Goldsmith House Jerusalem. No casualties or damage. At 21.35 hours an explosion occurred in Jerusalem as a military truck was passing. Three B.O.R.'s slightly injured. At 22.00 hours a mine was found in a Haifa street and was detonated by military causing damage to adjoining property. At 22.25 hours an explosion occurred in Jerusalem as a Police armoured car was passing. One British Constable slightly injured.
F037161783

25 JULY 1947
At 19.00 hours two explosions occurred in Jerusalem, one in a school playground and another in open ground, causing neither damage nor casualties. In Haifa two mines found in the road were detonated by military. No damage or casualties.
FO 371/61783

26th JULY 1947
At 08.05 hours two B.O.R.'s repairing a telephone cable were killed by a mine. During morning an arms cache containing mine components was found near Givat Shaul near Jerusalem. Persons detained. A second cache was found in a disused factory in Givat Shaul.
FO 371/61783

28th JULY 1947
At 0845 hours on the Gaza Road near Kfar Bilu, an electrically detonated mine exploded as two W.D. vehicles were passing. No casualties and only slight damage. During the afternoon and early evening, three phosphorous bombs were found in Sarafand Camp. At 1943 hours, a grenade was thrown at a W.D. vehicle in Jerusalem. No casualties or damage, At 2015 hours, a mine exploded near a Police armoured car in Jerusalem and the vehicle was fired on, No casualties or damage. At 2047 hours, an explosion wcurred outside a cinema at Tel Litwinsky. One British Aircraftsman, two B.O.R.'s and a Jewish interpreter were slightly injured.
FO 371/61783

30 JULY 1947
At 0635 hours, a boobytrapped mine found Romema Quarter, Jerusalem. Contained 500 rounds S.A.A. and gelignite. Dismantled without casualties. At 1615 hours, an electrically detonated mine exploded near Hadera. 2 B.O.R.'s killed. 30 B.O.R.'s slightly wounded.
FO 37l/6l783

31 JULY 1947
At 1415 hours, an electrically detonated mine exploded under a special goods train between Zikron Yaacov and Ben Yamina; engine tender and one wagon derailed. Fifty metres of track damaged and no casualties. At about 2200 hours in Tel Aviv, disturbances were created by unauthorised elements of the Security Forces. Casualties as at present known amount to 5 killed and 16 injured.
FO 371/617831

1 AUGUST 1947
1 R. Hamps treated themselves to a fine celebration on Minden Day (1 August) by killing a thug by SA fire when he, in company with other Jews, attempted to attack one of the Bns defense posts.
WO 261/644

4 AUGUST 1947
At approximately 1145 hours, 4 August, 1947, Taxi, M 923 E, was hired in the New Business Centre, Haifa, by a young man and a young girl. They instructed the driver to take them to Mt. Carmel. On reaching the road between Mt. Carmel and Shuza, he was told to stop; the young man then asked him the cost, and on being told drew a pistol from a basket he was carrying and told the driver to get out. The driver was ordered to walk away without turning his head and eventually to reach Hadar Hacarmel Police Station; he was also told that the taxi will be left on the corner of Acader ('7) Street.

It is presumed that after stealing the taxi, the man and woman picked up five other accomplices and proceeded to Barclay's Bank.

At approximately 1230 hours, the taxi drew up outside Barclay's Bank in Herzl Street and six men and one girl armed with Sten Guns and auton~atic pistols entered the Bank. Six of them jumped over the counter and held up the cashiers while the seventh person went into the Manager's Office and demanded the keys of the safe. The manager, however, refused to give them up and was struck twice on the head with a pistol butt. The remainder of the Bank was ransacked and approximately LP 1250 was taken; they then left the Bank discarding one Sten and one automatic pistol as well as one 77 phosphorous bomb. As they entered the taxi, one of the Bankclerks rushed out to try and stop them; he was shot down and died soon afterwards in the Hadassah Hospital. The taxi made off and whilst passing along Nordau Street, they threw out of the taxi a flash-bomb which was later picked up by the Palestine Police.

The names of the casualties are: Zodak Lisbona - 18, Tabor Street, Haifa; Pinhaf Shurki - 10, Omar El Mukhtar Street, Haifa. Zodak Lisbona is the Bank clerk who tried to prevent the escape of the aforementioned 7 persons; he was shot and has since died in the Hadassah Hospital.

Pinhaf Shurki one of the Bank customers was hit by a stray bullet; he is only slightly injured and is in the Hadassah Hospital where the Police are taking a statement from him.
WO 275/46

5 AUGUST 1947
At 1410 hours two men armed with pistols entered Department of Labour offices in Jerusalem. They brought with them a large tin box which they said contained a time bomb with twenty minutes delay. They spoke in Hebrew. On their departure building was evacuated. Position of bomb was indicated to passing police armoured car. Car crew were removing box when it exploded. Casualties one British Constable killed, plus two believed killed. Heavy damage to building. Palestinian Constable badly injured during rescue work. Believed no other casualties.
FO 371/61783

5 AUGUST 1947
The only incident worth mentioning was an armed daylight robbery, probably by the Irgun Z'vai Leumi, on the all-Jewish branch of Barclays Bank in the centre of Haifa. This attack, in which one employee was killed and acustomer was wounded, only benefited the gang by some LP 1250. A taxi was stolen in the usual way, and there was the usual Irgun Z'vai Leumi assortment of weapons and home-made grenades. A well informed source who maintains that the population is too scared of the "terrorists" to take action against them said, "Do you think that these people would have got away if the population hadn't thought that they were connected with the terrorists?" The Sephardic Jewish Cashier, Lisbona, who was killed after having given chase to the robbers, amongst whose number was a woman, was a veteran member of Haganah.
WO 275P9

7 AUGUST 1947
At 07.50 hrs. a grenade was thrown at the car of the District Officer, Bethlehem on the outskirts of Jerusalem. No casualties. Slight damage to car.

At 07.55 hrs. a mine on the Haifa-Kantara line between Ras El Ain and Qalqilya exploded beneath a goods train. 19 oil waggons were derailed and track was damaged. No serious casualties.
FO 371/61783

7 AUGUST 1947
At 16.15 hrs. Arab Guards on the Ajami Police Station, Jaffa, challenged a man dressed as an Arab and leading a camel, The man ran away and was captured with the assistance of the public. He was found to be a Yemenite Jew and to be carrying a haversack containing a grenade and a deionating device. In panniers on the camel were found two mines. A second person with the arrested man escaped.
FO 371/61783

8 AUGUST 1947
At 10.50 hours on 8th August, five Jews wearing khaki drill and armed with automatic pistols entered the Hasbaron Co-operative Bank in Ramatgan and held up staff and public. Three other Jews remained outside. They searched cashier and obtained safe key and stole 1, 187 Pounds in cash and 4,861 Pounds in cheques and a licensed pistol. They drove away in a large black salooncar. An hour later a Yemenite youth presented one of the stolen cheques for 300 Pounds at a Tel Aviv bank and whilst cashier was consulting Manager the youth left.
FO 371/61783

10 AUGUST 1947
At 1100 hours on 10th August, in Haifa, an explosion occurred in a taxi which had previously been stolen. Police arrived shortly afterwards and found a man, whose right hand had been blown off and who had sustained serious abdominal injuries, receiving treatment in the rear of another car. Following a report that wounded man had been seen running into a house, police investigated and found a second Jew with minor head injuries. A third Jew, who is under Police supervision. was found in a nearby pharmacy suffering from stomach wounds and a burst eardrum. Six rounds of ammunition were found in the pockets of the man in the car and a Stern Group pamphlet and lecture notes were found in the house of the second man. In the taxi were a loaded revolver and two home made bombs. All three Jews were detained.
FO 37 1161783

11 AUGUST 1947
At 1055 hours on 1 lth August, six masked men, two of whom were amed, and a girl entered Kiput Milyen Haoleh Bank in Ben Yehuda Street, Jerusalem, held up staff and stole a sum of money. Police answering 999 call arrested a Jewish youth, the son of a police officer, on the floor above the bank, in possession of a revolver and a phosphorous bomb. A sack containing all the money was found abandoned.
FO 371/61783

12 AUGUST 1947
At 2005 hours on 12th August fire was directed at the guard at the gate of Police Headquarters, Jerusalem, from an alley opposite. Fire was returned by police and military. No casualties.
FO 371/61783

13 AUGUST 1947
At 16.30 hours on 13th August a car containing two Jews deposited on a road near Petah Tiqva the body of an Arab as yet unidentified, possible Egyptian, who had been shot.
FO 371/6783

13 AUGUST 1947
On 13 August, 50 armed Jews set fire to an Arab market in Abu Qabir. They razed the market to the ground. There was no resistance, and no casualties have been reported. Disturbances continued on 14 August in which casualties were inflicted by both sides. A Jewish timberhouse was set on fire, and a bus and several cars were burnt. After 2300 hours, all was quiet, although tension still existed. Total casualties up to morning of 15 August were 8 Jews dead and 25 wounded, 9 Arabs dead and 46 wounded. These figures include the Hawaii Cabaret incident.
WO 275/64

14 AUGUST 1947
At 23.00 hrs. 14th August an Arab watchman at a factory in Ramat Gan was abducted by Jews. His body was found in an orange grove at the rear of the factory at 09.00 hours 15th August. He had been stabbed to death.
FO 371/61783

15 AUGUST 1947
01 -20 hours on 15th August a party of 30-35 Jews in khaki shirts and shorts and armed with automatic weapons approached an Arab owned building in an orange grove near Petah Tikvah. 16 Arabs were sleeping in and around the building. As the Jews approached, they split up, several entering the building, and all firing indiscriminately. The Arabs scattered, but four (2 Egyptians, 1 Palestinian and 1 Hedjazi) were shot dead. At 01.47 hours the building was almost completely demolished by an explosion, probably electrically detonated. 3 males and 4 females are believed to be buried in the debris.
FO 371/61783

15 AUGUST 1947
At 09.30 hrs. 15th August near Jaffa, a party of Jews stabbed and killed two Arab watchmen, one of whom was a boy aged thirteen. At 17.00 hours 15th August in Jaffa, three Jews entered an Arab grocer's shop, damaged interior fittings and poured paraffin over the contents. They were then prevented from setting fire to the shop by local Jewish residents. FO 371/61783 15 AUGUST 1947 At 0935 hours on 15th August at Kilo 54 on the Jaffa- Jerusalem road an Arab in a car was attacked by Jews. He was not injured but his car was burnt out.
FO 371/61783

16 AUGUST 1947
At 20.45 hours 16th August a time bomb exploded in a W.A.A.F.I. games room at Tel Litwinsky Military Camp. One B.O.R. was slightly and five superficially injured.
FO 371/61783

17 AUGUST 1947
At 1550 hours 17th August an Arab was attacked by Jews in a cafe in Tel Aviv near the Jaffa border. He escaped into the street where he was attacked by other Jews, stabbed and fatally injured. At 1915 hours 17th August an Arab was attacked by a Jew on Tel Aviv sea front and slightly injured.
FO 371/61783

4/5 SEPTEMBER 1947
A Jew and a Jewess, describing themselves as members of Stern, visited officials of the Palestine Tax Department in Tel Aviv on night 415 September and warned them to resign within 96 hours or face "drastic consequences." Police protection was afforded to the tax officials, and no further incident has been reported. This is an episode in the dissidents' campaign to persuade the Yishuv to boycott the Administration.
WO 275/64

10/11 SEPTEMBER 1947
On the night of 10/11 September, 1947, an attempt was made to blow up four separate tanks inside the CRL compound, presumably with the intention of causing parts of the installation to catch fire. The actual explosions took place from between 2030 and 2040 hours.
WO 275/46

26 SEPTEMBER 1947
On 26 September, a police armoured car carrying a crew of three British Constables arrived at Barclays Bank, Tel Aviv, to escort currency being transferred to the Treasury, Jerusalem. After one sack of money had been placed in the vehicle, and while a second sack was being handed to the escort, a party of at least ten thugs attacked the escort with automatic weapons and bombs. All three police constables were fatally wounded. The attackers then made off with the two sacks containing LP 150,000. During ensuing actions between the police and thugs, a further British Constable was killed and another British Constable received wounds from which he is not expected to recover. A Jewish Constable was also wounded. Prompt police action resulted in the recovery of LP 105,000 and several people have been detained in connection with the outrage.
WO 275/64

29 SEPTEMBER 1947
On the morning of 29 September at 0600 hours adastardly attack was made against Police Headquarters, Haifa. A bomb, perhaps better described as a landmine, was launched over the perimeter wire, from a passing vehicle, which exploded and caused considerable damage and inflicted heavy casualties.

Shortly afterwards, the EL claimed this as another victory. They declared, in the usual manner, that it was a reprisal for "Farida" transhipment. So a form of "reprisal" was not entirely unexpected but the form it took was such a new departure as to be quite unforeseeable if indeed it were possible to take any action to forestall such an event. This is the second attack on this Headquarters within the last 9 months.

The truck, a 3-ton grey painted Commer, was driven down Kingsway, Haifa. with two Jews aboard, preceded by a private car which had been stolen in Haifa the previous night. As the vehicles approached the building, they slowed down to walking pace, close to the perimeter wire which was about 28 feet from the building. The bomb was launched from the truck and exploded after about 60 seconds delay. TAC guards raised the alarm by blowing whistles.

In the meantime, both vehicles accelerated down Kingsway into Kefar Square. Here the truck was abandoned and fairly near by the private car also, A British constable on duty in the vicinity heard the explosion and seeing two Jews leave a truck in a hurry gave chase immediately; unfortunately, he lost them in the maze of side streets in this area. Subsequently, four Jews were arrested, two of whom are possibly identical with the two who abandoned the truck. In the private car were traces of flesh and blood on the wheel and the floor, the driver presumably having been injured by blast or flying glass.

Following the explosion troops were quickly on the scene and the area was cordoned off to prevent looting of damaged shops in the vicinity.

The bomb was in the form of a heavy steel cylinder some 7 feet in length and over each end was affixed a motor car tire. These tires were to facilitate its run, also to take the shock on landing. The charge which is estimated as being between 400 and 500 lbs was apparently initiated by a pull switch, the pin of which was released by a cord which tightened when the bomb began to move. The ramp device mounted on the truck from which the bomb was released was very similar to a raft launching apparatus. Two metal runways with a flap were each mounted on a frame operated by a single lever from the cab, the whole secured firmly to the bottom of the huck. The ramp and bomb were camouflaged in the front by a tarpaulin, the back and sides by cardboard and brown paper, giving the appearance of a normally loaded truck.

Further points of interest concerning the truck were its protection. The roof of the cab was strengthened inside with a steel plate, the door on the driver's side was fitted with a steel plate, likewise the sides of the bonnet and the front of the radiator. This was all effected in a manner as to be quite unnoticeable to the ordinary passerby. In addition to this protection, a steel sheet was hinged on the inside of the driver's window which could be raised or lowered at will. Finally, a steel plate was hinged from the front of the windscreen and when in the down position, rested on the top of the engine cover. This plate could also be raised by a wire operated from inside the cab by the driver. It will, therefore, be seen that the driver could be completely enclosed by steel plate, although if the windscreen cover was up he would have to drive "blind".

Fortunately, the building is of massive construction with floors of reinforced concrete, Despite this, the damage was very extensive. From the ground floor to and including the fourth floor, in the front, were completely wrecked. The fifth and sixth floors were extensively damaged. The windows of the whole headquarter block were blown out, almost without exception. It is not yet known whether the main building can be shored up on a permanent basis, there is a possibility that the whole structure may collapse. Blast caused very considerable damage to the row of Jewish shops standing opposite. Every shop window was smashed and its contents reduced to a shambles. Blocks of flats above were similarly treated and now look a sad sight with glassless window frames smashed and sun blinds hanging grotesquely at all angles. After the explosion, the street was reminiscent of a street in England during the Blitz period. The whole roadway was covered with glass, masonry, timber and pieces of the trees that line the footway. The crater was some 15-20 feet across and about 4 feet in depth.

Considering that a large number of men were sleeping in the part of the building that was wrecked, casualties were not so heavy as was feared. There were no officer casualty. Casualties were as follows: British Constables -4 killed, 13 seriously wounded, 16 slightly wounded; Pal Police - no casualties; Constables - 2 killed; TACs - 2 kille& Arab civilians - 2 killed, 11 slightly wounded; Jewish civilians - 14 seriously wounded. Totals: I0 killed, 27 seriously wounded, 27 slightly wounded, for total I0 killed, 54 wounded.

It is greatly feared that three of the seriously wounded British constables will not surive their injuries.

The attack could not have been prevented in view of close proximity of the building to the main road. The operation was a carefully and deliberately planned one and quite obviously not decided upon in a few hours as a result of the arrival of the Farida. Had it not been for the enterprise and initiative of a Palestine policeman, the Jews would have escaped entirely, as it is, it is not going to be an easy task to prove their guilt.
WO 275/46

29 SEPTEMBER 1947
On the morning of 29 September, the Irgun Z'vai Leumi carried out a fiendish attack on the Central Police Station at Haifa as a reprisal for the deportation of the "Warfield" and "Farida" passengers. At approximately 0600 hours, a civilian truck came momentarily to a standstill against the perimeter wire of the Police Station, and from a specially constmcted ramp built at right angles to the truck, a composite charge on wheels consisting of approximately 500 lbs of explosive was released. After clearing the wire, the bomb came to rest by the wall of the Police Station; and a few seconds later exploded with tremendous force, severely damaging the Police Station and shops in the vicinity. The casualties caused by the outrage were: 4 British Constables killed, 2 Palestinian Constables killed, 2 TACS killed, 4 Civilians Killed, 13 British Constables seriously wounded, 16 British Constables slightly wounded, 14 Jewish Civilians injured, 11 Arab Civilians injured.
WO 275/64

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