The Final Battle of Gush Ezion
After the failure of "Nabi Daniel convey" on 27.3.48 no more conveys were sent to the Gush and it was under siege. The commanding officer Moshe (Mosh) Zilberschmidt began to organize the protection of the Gush.
After the failure of "Nabi Daniel convey" on 27.3.48 no more conveys were sent to the Gush and it was under siege. The commanding officer Moshe ("Mosh") Zilbersmidt began to organize the protection of the area.
About 550 people were under his command: 315 kibbutz members 100 of whom were women, 170 field combat corps personnel, 56 Palmach fighters and individuals who had returned from the convoy. The Gush was divided into four parts, with the headquarters in the centre, on the 'Diva's HaZehuva '. Supplies arrived by air, and comprehensive fortification jobs were done.
During the month of April, at the order of the Jerusalem headquarters, the Gush population attacked Arab transportation on the Jerusalem-Hebron road several times. By doing so the headquarters was attempting to alleviate the harsh situation in Jerusalem, and indeed, Arab transportation on the road was substantially reduced. However, there were Gush settlers who wondered if this was the right move, and whether it wasn't actually inviting an attack on the Gush.
On 3.5.48 the Gush settlers attacked yet another convoy, which was only saved thanks to British intervention. The British decided to react harshly: the next day they deployed infantry, armored cars and artillery against military posts on the Gush. Fierce battles ensued and at the end of the day the attackers left the posts they had seized and retreated. The price was high: the defenders had twelve dead and thirty wounded.
On 12.5.48, two days before the state was established, the massive assault on the Gush commenced. The attacking force was especially big, about 550 legionary soldiers with about twenty armored vehicles, about 2,000 "Rescue Army" personnel, and Arab gangs and villagers. The overall number of attacking forces was estimated at about 10,000 people (!).
The attacks started at dawn. "The monastery" and the "Mukhtar ridge" were heavily bombarded and "Mosh" gave the order to retreat to "The Russian military post." Select Arab forces held back the defenders from the posts, and at 11.00 they controlled the centre of the Gush and the airfield. "Mosh" was among those killed and Yaakov Altman took his place. The Gush was divided into two and an attempt to parachute help failed when the parachutists landed on enemy territory.
Throughout the battle telegrams were sent from Kafr Ezyon to Jerusalem, describing the grave situation and worsening developments. Overnight 65 wounded were moved from Kfar Ezyon to Mesuot Yitzhak.
About 550 people were under his command: 315 kibbutz members 100 of whom were women, 170 field combat corps personnel, 56 Palmach fighters and individuals who had returned from the convoy. The Gush was divided into four parts, with the headquarters in the centre, on the 'Diva's HaZehuva '. Supplies arrived by air, and comprehensive fortification jobs were done.
During the month of April, at the order of the Jerusalem headquarters, the Gush population attacked Arab transportation on the Jerusalem-Hebron road several times. By doing so the headquarters was attempting to alleviate the harsh situation in Jerusalem, and indeed, Arab transportation on the road was substantially reduced. However, there were Gush settlers who wondered if this was the right move, and whether it wasn't actually inviting an attack on the Gush.
On 3.5.48 the Gush settlers attacked yet another convoy, which was only saved thanks to British intervention. The British decided to react harshly: the next day they deployed infantry, armored cars and artillery against military posts on the Gush. Fierce battles ensued and at the end of the day the attackers left the posts they had seized and retreated. The price was high: the defenders had twelve dead and thirty wounded.
On 12.5.48, two days before the state was established, the massive assault on the Gush commenced. The attacking force was especially big, about 550 legionary soldiers with about twenty armored vehicles, about 2,000 "Rescue Army" personnel, and Arab gangs and villagers. The overall number of attacking forces was estimated at about 10,000 people (!).
The attacks started at dawn. "The monastery" and the "Mukhtar ridge" were heavily bombarded and "Mosh" gave the order to retreat to "The Russian military post." Select Arab forces held back the defenders from the posts, and at 11.00 they controlled the centre of the Gush and the airfield. "Mosh" was among those killed and Yaakov Altman took his place. The Gush was divided into two and an attempt to parachute help failed when the parachutists landed on enemy territory.
Throughout the battle telegrams were sent from Kafr Ezyon to Jerusalem, describing the grave situation and worsening developments. Overnight 65 wounded were moved from Kfar Ezyon to Mesuot Yitzhak.