The Raid on Bet Hamekhes
The secret of the raid's success was the absolute surprise achieved by the invading force. Since it had never occurred to the Syrians that such an action was possible, they were lulled into a false sense of security. The raid forced them to postpone their assault on Mishmar Hayarden by at least two weeks.
From 15.5.48 onwards, at a time when the Syrian army was operating in Emek Hayarden, reports were received that another Syrian force was planning to attack from the north of Lake Tiberias. Aerial and land observation showed that the Syrian army was setting up an advance supply base in the area of upper Bet Hamekhes, on the Syrian side of the Jordan, east of Mishmar Hayarden. This contained stockpiles of fuel, ammunition and food, intended to supply the attacking artery via the Benot Ya'aqov Bridge, in the direction of Rosh Pinna. It was decided to make a pre-emptive attack on the base, using a company from the 3rd Battalion for the operation. Its fighters were assembled at the exit-base and were briefed on the action program.
The force set out at 21.00 hours on 18.5.48 and crossed the Jordan to the north of where the Benot Ya'aqov Bridge had been (it was blown up a few months previously), using a rope to help it overcome the water current. The distance from the Jordan to Bet-Mekhesh was about 4 kms. as the crow flies, and two hours of strenuous marching were needed to climb its steep ascent.
Close to the fence the militia spotted the Syrian force. It opened fire immediately to provide cover for a sapper who was blowing up the bridge using a 'Bonglore' (a explosion device). The fighters stormed the breach created, until they reached a two-storey building. They attached explosive devices to a wall, detonated them, penetrated the building through the opening made, and occupied it. At this stage the Syrian soldiers slipped away and abandoned the building. The force set about destroying equipment and installations. – stockpiles of fuel, tents and vehicles and set them ablaze. The resulting fire caused the ammunition to explode. Finally, the force blew up the building and returned to our area without losses, using the same route as previously. As the result of interrogation of a Syrian taken captive by the force, it emerged that the base was indeed intended to assist an attack on our territory. There had been about 250 Syrian soldiers in the area, but most had preferred to flee rather than fight.
The secret of the raid's success was the absolute surprise achieved by the invading force. Since it had never occurred to the Syrians that such an action was possible, they were lulled into a false sense of security. The raid forced them to postpone their assault on Mishmar Hayarden by at least two weeks. A resident of Mishmar Hayarden was killed during the operation by a stray bullet fired from the Syrian territory in the direction of the moshavah.
The force set out at 21.00 hours on 18.5.48 and crossed the Jordan to the north of where the Benot Ya'aqov Bridge had been (it was blown up a few months previously), using a rope to help it overcome the water current. The distance from the Jordan to Bet-Mekhesh was about 4 kms. as the crow flies, and two hours of strenuous marching were needed to climb its steep ascent.
Close to the fence the militia spotted the Syrian force. It opened fire immediately to provide cover for a sapper who was blowing up the bridge using a 'Bonglore' (a explosion device). The fighters stormed the breach created, until they reached a two-storey building. They attached explosive devices to a wall, detonated them, penetrated the building through the opening made, and occupied it. At this stage the Syrian soldiers slipped away and abandoned the building. The force set about destroying equipment and installations. – stockpiles of fuel, tents and vehicles and set them ablaze. The resulting fire caused the ammunition to explode. Finally, the force blew up the building and returned to our area without losses, using the same route as previously. As the result of interrogation of a Syrian taken captive by the force, it emerged that the base was indeed intended to assist an attack on our territory. There had been about 250 Syrian soldiers in the area, but most had preferred to flee rather than fight.
The secret of the raid's success was the absolute surprise achieved by the invading force. Since it had never occurred to the Syrians that such an action was possible, they were lulled into a false sense of security. The raid forced them to postpone their assault on Mishmar Hayarden by at least two weeks. A resident of Mishmar Hayarden was killed during the operation by a stray bullet fired from the Syrian territory in the direction of the moshavah.