The Retreat of Kaukaji's Army
On the 14 April 1948, Kaukaji was forced to retreat from the combat zone.
On the 14 April 1948, Kaukaji was forced to retreat from the combat zone. This fact did not prevent the Arab press from printing headlines that announced "The conquest and destruction of Mishmar Ha'emek…….." Later, when they were compelled to admit their defeat, they claimed that the Jewish forces numbered 15,000 soldiers. (!...)
When Kaukaji retreated, the Arabs abandoned their villages and fled. As a result, the area was under Jewish control by the end of the battles on the 14.4.1948.
Our forces suffered additional casualties in other battles - 3 dead and 15 wounded.
The battle for Mishmar Ha'emek - that lasted for about 10 days - was considered the biggest Israeli victory over the local Arabs and Kaukaji's 'Salvation Army' forces. The fact that one settlement was able to stand firm and not surrender, against a force of 1,000 soldiers equipped with artillery, mortars, armored vehicles and machine guns, served to strengthen the resolve of all the settlements.
It was a classic regimental battle in every sense of the word, with several components: interception, encirclement, conquering the objective, in-depth pursuit.
When Kaukaji retreated, the Arabs abandoned their villages and fled. As a result, the area was under Jewish control by the end of the battles on the 14.4.1948.
Our forces suffered additional casualties in other battles - 3 dead and 15 wounded.
The battle for Mishmar Ha'emek - that lasted for about 10 days - was considered the biggest Israeli victory over the local Arabs and Kaukaji's 'Salvation Army' forces. The fact that one settlement was able to stand firm and not surrender, against a force of 1,000 soldiers equipped with artillery, mortars, armored vehicles and machine guns, served to strengthen the resolve of all the settlements.
It was a classic regimental battle in every sense of the word, with several components: interception, encirclement, conquering the objective, in-depth pursuit.