The occupation of the village of Colonia
The village of Colonia was located opposite upper Moza, and dominated the road leading from the Qastel to Jerusalem. On the 11.4.48, the Palmach 4th Platoon occupied the village, demolished over 50 of its houses and returned to camp without settling in the village.
The locations of the battalion forces:
- Uri Ben- Ari led the storming Platoon that was preparing to attack the domination area on top of the ridge.
- The protection Platoon followed the storming Platoon.
- The 'Davidke' was placed in upper Moza in order to bombard the village prior to the attack itself.
- Platoon H.Q. and armored vehicles were based east of the Qastel, on the road leading to Arza and zuba.
The operation:
The storming Platoon had difficulties finding the village, and staff Commander, Micha Peri, was sent under heavy fire to lower Moza in an armored vehicle in order tos how them the way.
The forces managed to approach the village's surrounding area undetected, and after the 'Davidka' was fired several times, the night attack commenced. The population fled the village, leaving no one to resist. The occupation of the village completed a territorial continuity between Jerusalem and Qaryat El Inab, and enabled the reopening of the road leading from Jerusalem to Neve Ilan.
- Uri Ben- Ari led the storming Platoon that was preparing to attack the domination area on top of the ridge.
- The protection Platoon followed the storming Platoon.
- The 'Davidke' was placed in upper Moza in order to bombard the village prior to the attack itself.
- Platoon H.Q. and armored vehicles were based east of the Qastel, on the road leading to Arza and zuba.
The operation:
The storming Platoon had difficulties finding the village, and staff Commander, Micha Peri, was sent under heavy fire to lower Moza in an armored vehicle in order tos how them the way.
The forces managed to approach the village's surrounding area undetected, and after the 'Davidka' was fired several times, the night attack commenced. The population fled the village, leaving no one to resist. The occupation of the village completed a territorial continuity between Jerusalem and Qaryat El Inab, and enabled the reopening of the road leading from Jerusalem to Neve Ilan.