The Palmach in Europe - General
The Hagana members in the British army created a primary foundation for the Hagana activity in Europe once the battles were over, based on the initiative of survivors in 'Habricha' Organization (the escape organization from Europe and Haapala). The Hagana missions were to gather the survivors and organize their immigration to Eretz Israel.
The foundation for the Hagana activity in Europe was laid by Eliyahu Golomb, head of the Hagana organization up to his passing in June 1945, and Moshe Shertok (Sharet), head of the Political Department of the Jewish Agency. Golomb initiated and nurtured a plan to send hundreds of Hagana members to help the European Jewry during the Second World War, but this was never executed. The first Jewish warriors landed in Europe as soldiers of 'The Jewish Brigade' and other units in the British army, only at the end of the war. The Hagana members in the British army created a primary foundation for the Hagana activity in Europe once the battles were over, based on the initiative of survivors in 'Habricha' Organization (the escape organization from Europe and Haapala.) The Hagana missions were to gather the survivors and organize their immigration to Eretz Israel. For that purpose, they made contacts with the survivors and looked for ways to bring them closer to ports, from which they could immigrate to Eretz Israel. Shortly after, the 'Brigade' volunteers who remained in Europe after the war were joined for this cause (as well as retaliation acts against the Nazis) by envoys from the collective agricultural settlements; the pioneering youth movements; 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' members; refugees and partisans as well as Hagana and Palmach envoys.
The Palmach members who were sent to Europe integrated into the three frameworks that were active throughout the continent: 'Habricha,' 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet,' and the 'Hagana.' The branched and unstable organization of these frameworks burdened their activity on one hand, but left much room for the adaptability, improvisation, initiative and diligence of their active members. The first Palmach members to arrive in Europe were among the paratroopers who left their Jewish-national as well as British-military mission during the Second World War (1943-1944).
At the end of the war, in spring of 1945, the first marines from Palyam and the wireless operators ('Gidonim') arrived in Europe to renew the Haapala effort. Following in their footsteps, the number of Palmach members in Europe increased until it came to tens of members by 1947.
The contribution of Palmach envoys was not only made by their physical presence. The news about the existence of an independently recruited Jewish military force in came across to the holocaust survivors in different ways. Many Partisans and young people found it, a source for spiritual strength and hope for a national revival.
Even though quite a few of 'Habricha' leaders were Palmach members, the Palmach as an organization was not a direct participant in this effort, which started right as the battles ended in May 1945. The Palmach members had a substantial role in 'Habricha' effort only in its last stages (1947), and when the escape routes from Eastern European countries were blocked; that called for military orientation and navigation skills for locating hidden passage ways. The Palmach's involvement was more dominant in the Hagana envoy that was sent to Europe during April–May 1947, and in the Haapala operations. However, the Palmach was not an independent, determining factor in these areas either, despite its commanders' wish, but rather an influential, active participant. The full responsibility for the areas of activity mentioned was carried by the Hagana HQ in Eretz Israel and 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet'.
The Palmach members who were sent to Europe integrated into the three frameworks that were active throughout the continent: 'Habricha,' 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet,' and the 'Hagana.' The branched and unstable organization of these frameworks burdened their activity on one hand, but left much room for the adaptability, improvisation, initiative and diligence of their active members. The first Palmach members to arrive in Europe were among the paratroopers who left their Jewish-national as well as British-military mission during the Second World War (1943-1944).
At the end of the war, in spring of 1945, the first marines from Palyam and the wireless operators ('Gidonim') arrived in Europe to renew the Haapala effort. Following in their footsteps, the number of Palmach members in Europe increased until it came to tens of members by 1947.
The contribution of Palmach envoys was not only made by their physical presence. The news about the existence of an independently recruited Jewish military force in came across to the holocaust survivors in different ways. Many Partisans and young people found it, a source for spiritual strength and hope for a national revival.
Even though quite a few of 'Habricha' leaders were Palmach members, the Palmach as an organization was not a direct participant in this effort, which started right as the battles ended in May 1945. The Palmach members had a substantial role in 'Habricha' effort only in its last stages (1947), and when the escape routes from Eastern European countries were blocked; that called for military orientation and navigation skills for locating hidden passage ways. The Palmach's involvement was more dominant in the Hagana envoy that was sent to Europe during April–May 1947, and in the Haapala operations. However, the Palmach was not an independent, determining factor in these areas either, despite its commanders' wish, but rather an influential, active participant. The full responsibility for the areas of activity mentioned was carried by the Hagana HQ in Eretz Israel and 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet'.