The Defenders Line - the Palmach activity
The envoy of Palmach members to the detention camps in Cyprus from August 1946 to 1948 was one link in the Hagana's chain of activities towards the Haapala effort. Their activity for the immigrants focused on security matters.
The envoy of Palmach members to the detention camps in Cyprus from August 1946 to 1948 was one link in the Hagana's chain of activities towards the Haapala effort. Their activity for the immigrants focused on security matters. It began with the local initiative of Palyam warriors on site. In the midst of 1947, this activity achieved an organized framework led by the Palmach HQ and backed by the 4th Battalion, which was assigned to command over it.
At first, Palmach members arrived in Cyprus as escorts to Haapala ships that were captured by the British and deported to the island from August 1946. Later on, three envoys were sent to Cyprus on behalf of the 4th Battalion:
1) Yehuda Drexler was the first envoy commander, which infiltrated the detention camps on June 1947.
2) The second envoy entered the island on October 1947. With it, Yitzhak Karlinsky was assigned as commander of the 'Summer Camps' while Drexler remained the General Commander and led the 'Winter Camps.' In February 1948, Ya'aqov Kaminsky replaced Drexler in the 'Winter Camps,' and Yitzhak Karlinsky continued as commander of the 'Summer Camps.'
3) The third envoy came to Cyprus in July 1948, commanded by Yesha'ayahu Brott.
The goals of Palmach members' activities in Cyprus changed over that period. The ship escorts, headed by Palyam member Arieh Kaplan, initiated the early security organization of immigrants in the camps. This organization was supposed to take care of the internal security needs and help Palmach members control and oversee the occurrences on site. Later on the Palmach realized this type of force was unnecessary, but the manpower among youth and adults in the camps may help establish Palmach reserves. The wireless operator, Yoash Zidon, founded the security force activity known as 'The Defenders Lines' organization in early 1947. At that point, the training came down to useful sports and foot drills only.
At first, Palmach members arrived in Cyprus as escorts to Haapala ships that were captured by the British and deported to the island from August 1946. Later on, three envoys were sent to Cyprus on behalf of the 4th Battalion:
1) Yehuda Drexler was the first envoy commander, which infiltrated the detention camps on June 1947.
2) The second envoy entered the island on October 1947. With it, Yitzhak Karlinsky was assigned as commander of the 'Summer Camps' while Drexler remained the General Commander and led the 'Winter Camps.' In February 1948, Ya'aqov Kaminsky replaced Drexler in the 'Winter Camps,' and Yitzhak Karlinsky continued as commander of the 'Summer Camps.'
3) The third envoy came to Cyprus in July 1948, commanded by Yesha'ayahu Brott.
The goals of Palmach members' activities in Cyprus changed over that period. The ship escorts, headed by Palyam member Arieh Kaplan, initiated the early security organization of immigrants in the camps. This organization was supposed to take care of the internal security needs and help Palmach members control and oversee the occurrences on site. Later on the Palmach realized this type of force was unnecessary, but the manpower among youth and adults in the camps may help establish Palmach reserves. The wireless operator, Yoash Zidon, founded the security force activity known as 'The Defenders Lines' organization in early 1947. At that point, the training came down to useful sports and foot drills only.