Operation Maccabi (Stage1)
The 'Maccabi Campaign' was intended to – and accomplished – the control over the road to Jerusalem: to open the road and keep it open for the transit of convoys, in order to renew transport between the coastal plain and Jerusalem.
The 'Maccabi Campaign' was intended to – and succeeded in – gaining control over the road to Jerusalem: to open the road and keep it open for the transit of convoys, in order to renew transport between the coastal plain and Jerusalem. To this end, the Chief of Staff ordered the Harel Brigade to return two of its battalions to bases in the Kiryat Anavim area. Battalion 51 of the 'Givati' Brigade was also co-opted to the campaign. The operation was named after Maccabi Motzri, who fell in the battle of the 'Harel Convoy' on 20.4.48
It was decided that the Harel Brigade would be deployed in the eastern area, seize the military posts commanding both sides of the road from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv from Sha'ar Hagai eastwards, and would capture the enemy's principal base at Beit MahsirBait Machsir and on Givat Hamasrek. Battalion 51, led by Ephraim Kadurie was ordered to seize vantage points alongside the road to Hulda up to Deir Muchsin and to seize routes west of Latrun The force that took part in the campaign numbered altogether 1,700 soldiers, and Yitzhak Rabin, of the Harel Brigade, was chosen to command it. A light aircraft was made available for the campaign, and whilst flying over the Gilo region, Zerubavel Arbel the brigade's information officer, succeeded in identifying barricades and open routes, and also dropping bombs where necessary.
The date of the British departure was approaching, but their forces held the Radar
Camp, pumping stations in the areas of Latrun and at Dir Machsir.
It was decided that the 5th Battalion would carry out assignments north of the road to Jerusalem- including the capture of Dir Aiub – the Fourth Battalion would perform missions south of the road, and Battalion 51 was planned as an escort to convoys at the Latrun section.
It was decided that the Harel Brigade would be deployed in the eastern area, seize the military posts commanding both sides of the road from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv from Sha'ar Hagai eastwards, and would capture the enemy's principal base at Beit MahsirBait Machsir and on Givat Hamasrek. Battalion 51, led by Ephraim Kadurie was ordered to seize vantage points alongside the road to Hulda up to Deir Muchsin and to seize routes west of Latrun The force that took part in the campaign numbered altogether 1,700 soldiers, and Yitzhak Rabin, of the Harel Brigade, was chosen to command it. A light aircraft was made available for the campaign, and whilst flying over the Gilo region, Zerubavel Arbel the brigade's information officer, succeeded in identifying barricades and open routes, and also dropping bombs where necessary.
The date of the British departure was approaching, but their forces held the Radar
Camp, pumping stations in the areas of Latrun and at Dir Machsir.
It was decided that the 5th Battalion would carry out assignments north of the road to Jerusalem- including the capture of Dir Aiub – the Fourth Battalion would perform missions south of the road, and Battalion 51 was planned as an escort to convoys at the Latrun section.