The Break into the Atlit Detention Camp
A force from the First Palmach Battalion, headed by Nachum Sarig, released two-hundred immigrants from the Atlit detention camp on October 10, 1945.
A force from the First Palmach Battalion, headed by Nachum Sarig, released two-hundred immigrants from the Atlit detention camp on October 10, 1945. The mission was the first operation initiated by the Hagana against the immigration limitations after WWII. The detention facility in Atlit was built during WWII and served as a detention camp for immigrants who managed to illegally enter Israel. The camp was chosen as an operation target because it symbolized Britain's intention of limiting the Jewish immigration into Israel, according to "The White Paper" policy.
In early October, the British tried to thwart a convoy of immigrants from infiltrating the country by land from Lebanon to kibbutz Kfar-Giladi. A few hundreds residents of the Galilee came to help the besieged kibbutz by order of the Hagana HQ. Seven Jews were injured by British fire during the clashes that erupted at the site. The event caused great resentment in the Yishuv. Based on that, and on the rumors that the British were going to send some of the detained immigrants back their countries of origin, a decision was made to set out on the operation.
In early October, the British tried to thwart a convoy of immigrants from infiltrating the country by land from Lebanon to kibbutz Kfar-Giladi. A few hundreds residents of the Galilee came to help the besieged kibbutz by order of the Hagana HQ. Seven Jews were injured by British fire during the clashes that erupted at the site. The event caused great resentment in the Yishuv. Based on that, and on the rumors that the British were going to send some of the detained immigrants back their countries of origin, a decision was made to set out on the operation.