The Capture of MalkIyah
Only on reaching Itaron was the mistake realized. The column turned and hurried back to Malkiyya. In a sense, the mistake was productive, in that it enabled the Palmach force to attack the Lebanese column and prevent them from getting to Malkiyya. They carried out an imaginative plan, with daring and surprise, and faultless execution.
The force traveled, with all lights on, along the road from Marji-youn to Itaron on the Lebanese side. The villagers mistook it for a Lebanese force. At the village of Balayda, they actually stood and cheered…. The deception was complete. It was helped by a diversionary attack at Bik’at-Kadesh.
Further on, the force missed a turning past Balayda, and carried on to Itaron, instead of turning off to Malkiyya. They carried on, and ran into a Lebanese column hastening to the aid of Malkiyya. The 20 mm cannon on the armoured vehicle opened fire on the Lebanese, setting fire to their armoured vehicles and putting them out of action. Only on reaching Itaron was the mistake realized. The column turned and hurried back to Malkiyya. In a sense, the mistake was productive, in that it enabled the Palmach force to attack the Lebanese column and prevent them from getting to Malkiyya. They carried out an imaginative plan, with daring and surprise, and faultless execution.
Meanwhile, the battle at Malkiyya had begun. Two companies of the Palmach and the diversionary force of the Field Combat Corps went into action. They had casualties, but after a while the Lebanese began to retreat. It is thought that they lost heart, after the destruction of the armoured vehicles in their rear.
When our armored column arrived, it took part in the capture of the villages of Malkiyya and Qadesh. During the battle the regiment suffered a number of wounded, two of them died later .
Further on, the force missed a turning past Balayda, and carried on to Itaron, instead of turning off to Malkiyya. They carried on, and ran into a Lebanese column hastening to the aid of Malkiyya. The 20 mm cannon on the armoured vehicle opened fire on the Lebanese, setting fire to their armoured vehicles and putting them out of action. Only on reaching Itaron was the mistake realized. The column turned and hurried back to Malkiyya. In a sense, the mistake was productive, in that it enabled the Palmach force to attack the Lebanese column and prevent them from getting to Malkiyya. They carried out an imaginative plan, with daring and surprise, and faultless execution.
Meanwhile, the battle at Malkiyya had begun. Two companies of the Palmach and the diversionary force of the Field Combat Corps went into action. They had casualties, but after a while the Lebanese began to retreat. It is thought that they lost heart, after the destruction of the armoured vehicles in their rear.
When our armored column arrived, it took part in the capture of the villages of Malkiyya and Qadesh. During the battle the regiment suffered a number of wounded, two of them died later .