Mishmar Ha'emek Camp
The Palmach's largest training course, held during April-May of 1942 in the groves of Mishmar Ha'emek, was the result of a joint initiative by the Jewish Yishuv's leadership and the British SOE organization.
The Palmach's largest training course, held during April-May of 1942 in the groves of Mishmar Ha'emek, was the result of a joint initiative by the Jewish Yishuv's leadership and the British SOE organization.
At the end of 1941, the threat of German conquest hovered over Palestine. Back in 1940, Yochanan Retner had been attached to a special British unit dealing with the possible invasion by Germany from the north. As part of the resistance, Retner, together with Yitzhak Sade, prepared a guerilla operations plan against the conqueror's transportation arteries and vital plants, which suited the interests of the British Armed Forces Command in the Middle East. The plan by Retner and Sade was submitted to General B. T. Wilson, the commander of the Palestinian branch of the SOE, and was formulated in 1942 and named the Palestine Post-Occupation Scam (PPOS). In order to implement the plan, it was agreed that the British would train and equip several hundred Jewish fighters that would be capable of operating as an organized underground force, and would conduct sabotage operations in enemy territory after Mandatory Palestine was occupied. In Haifa, a semi-official headquarters responsible for training was set up, with Yochanan Retner, Yitzhak Sade, Giora Shenan and David Nameri, who was presented as the Deputy Commander of the Palmach, and served as the liaison officer between Palmach HQ and the SOE. The British officers who collaborated with them were General Wilson, Major Aubrey Eban (later known as Abba Eban), Major Grant Taylor, Captain Hammond, Lieutenant Hucksworth and Major Ringrose, the officer directly in charge of execution of the plan.
On the 27th of March 1942, in a meeting held between the Palmach company commanders and the National HQ commander and Chief of Staff of the Hagana, a decision was made to open the Large Training Course. The British promised military training and financial support totaling 4000 Lira, as well as spare parts and rations for trainees.
During April and May of 1942, nearly all members of the Palmach, close to 600, were trained in the Mishmar Ha'emek camp. In the first training course, from the 12th to 30th of April 1942, 147 members from all Palmach companies participated. During the second stage, three courses were opened in regional bases outside Mishmar Ha'emek, to train 500 additional members, but after an incident with the British Palestinian police – that were not notified in advance and opposed the training – courses were transferred to the groves of Mishmar Ha'emek.
Training focused on three fields: patrolling, snipping and sabotage. This was the first time that Palmach companies specialized in sabotage, and this training was a significant advance in the Palmach's operational capabilities.
Despite the fruitful cooperation between the Palmach and the British, Palmach members preserved their identity as the nucleus of the independent Jewish army. Members were forbidden to reveal their real names, and the British were not given a list of the names of course participant, despite their repeated requests. During training of Palmach members, the transience of the cooperation with the British was emphasized, as cooperation aimed exclusively at fighting the Nazi enemy. Palmach commanders and members believed that the expected confrontation with the British allies in the future must guide all their activities.
Training was concluded on the 4th of June 1942, in a festive Palmach parade in the grove next to Mishmar Ha'emek. This training course, which prepared hundreds of Palmach members for military operations, was conducted openly with professional instructors, and laid the foundations for the existence of the force and for its professional level.
At the end of 1941, the threat of German conquest hovered over Palestine. Back in 1940, Yochanan Retner had been attached to a special British unit dealing with the possible invasion by Germany from the north. As part of the resistance, Retner, together with Yitzhak Sade, prepared a guerilla operations plan against the conqueror's transportation arteries and vital plants, which suited the interests of the British Armed Forces Command in the Middle East. The plan by Retner and Sade was submitted to General B. T. Wilson, the commander of the Palestinian branch of the SOE, and was formulated in 1942 and named the Palestine Post-Occupation Scam (PPOS). In order to implement the plan, it was agreed that the British would train and equip several hundred Jewish fighters that would be capable of operating as an organized underground force, and would conduct sabotage operations in enemy territory after Mandatory Palestine was occupied. In Haifa, a semi-official headquarters responsible for training was set up, with Yochanan Retner, Yitzhak Sade, Giora Shenan and David Nameri, who was presented as the Deputy Commander of the Palmach, and served as the liaison officer between Palmach HQ and the SOE. The British officers who collaborated with them were General Wilson, Major Aubrey Eban (later known as Abba Eban), Major Grant Taylor, Captain Hammond, Lieutenant Hucksworth and Major Ringrose, the officer directly in charge of execution of the plan.
On the 27th of March 1942, in a meeting held between the Palmach company commanders and the National HQ commander and Chief of Staff of the Hagana, a decision was made to open the Large Training Course. The British promised military training and financial support totaling 4000 Lira, as well as spare parts and rations for trainees.
During April and May of 1942, nearly all members of the Palmach, close to 600, were trained in the Mishmar Ha'emek camp. In the first training course, from the 12th to 30th of April 1942, 147 members from all Palmach companies participated. During the second stage, three courses were opened in regional bases outside Mishmar Ha'emek, to train 500 additional members, but after an incident with the British Palestinian police – that were not notified in advance and opposed the training – courses were transferred to the groves of Mishmar Ha'emek.
Training focused on three fields: patrolling, snipping and sabotage. This was the first time that Palmach companies specialized in sabotage, and this training was a significant advance in the Palmach's operational capabilities.
Despite the fruitful cooperation between the Palmach and the British, Palmach members preserved their identity as the nucleus of the independent Jewish army. Members were forbidden to reveal their real names, and the British were not given a list of the names of course participant, despite their repeated requests. During training of Palmach members, the transience of the cooperation with the British was emphasized, as cooperation aimed exclusively at fighting the Nazi enemy. Palmach commanders and members believed that the expected confrontation with the British allies in the future must guide all their activities.
Training was concluded on the 4th of June 1942, in a festive Palmach parade in the grove next to Mishmar Ha'emek. This training course, which prepared hundreds of Palmach members for military operations, was conducted openly with professional instructors, and laid the foundations for the existence of the force and for its professional level.