Female Palmach Fighters during the War of Independence
The status and roles of Palmach women changed throughout the war. At first they were included in various regional assignments such as: settlement defense, protecting roadways, and reprisals, due to the lack of manpower.
As they became more experienced they became in demand for their skills as, slik (arms caches) guards, medical personnel, and wireless operators.
As they became more experienced they became in demand for their skills as, slik (arms caches) guards, medical personnel, and wireless operators.
On December, 1947, on the eve of the war, Palmach reserves were called up and the force grew to 2600 men and 500 women. On July 27th, 1948, 1067 Palmach women were sworn in, 1\6 of the entire brigade, and during the war their number rose to 1220. The increase in numbers was a result of the continual addition of new Hachsharot's manpower sent from the main induction center. It should be mentioned that the increase occurred in spite of the Hachsharot members who discharged, after serving their appointed time. In March, 1948 Hachsharot members reinforced by general staff recruits were relocated to army bases and participated in difficult and complex army operations. Women were no longer vital for these operations, and were referred to non-combat operations in separate outfits. From May 1948, women were excluded from combat positions by local commanders; even so, some women maintained their fighting positions in the platoons and the battalions and in some cases entire women squads participated in combat activity.
"Women's roles" were formed due to the developments in the fighting and the ongoing segregation between male and female Hachsharot's members. Only a few maintained fighting positions such as: medical personnel, wireless operators, saboteurs, army posts and remote settlement defense. The rest held auxiliary roles such as: cooks, kitchen staff, army secretaries, quartermasters, welfare workers, cultural noncom (mashak), instructors etc.
Most women 'Hachshara' members took on "mothering" roles' while others held auxiliary positions that did not require professional training.
Women's diverse involvement in all units both at the front and on the home front all through the war, contributed immensely to Palmach unity and strength and their exemplary contribution, shall always be remembered as the ideal example of the importance of women in the war effort.
"Women's roles" were formed due to the developments in the fighting and the ongoing segregation between male and female Hachsharot's members. Only a few maintained fighting positions such as: medical personnel, wireless operators, saboteurs, army posts and remote settlement defense. The rest held auxiliary roles such as: cooks, kitchen staff, army secretaries, quartermasters, welfare workers, cultural noncom (mashak), instructors etc.
Most women 'Hachshara' members took on "mothering" roles' while others held auxiliary positions that did not require professional training.
Women's diverse involvement in all units both at the front and on the home front all through the war, contributed immensely to Palmach unity and strength and their exemplary contribution, shall always be remembered as the ideal example of the importance of women in the war effort.