The Nabi Daniel Convoy is blocked
When the convoy reached El Khader, beside Nabi Daniel, about two kilometers south of Bethlehem, the barrier-breaking armored vehicle ran into a massive roadblock which it could not shift, and afterwards went over a mine and was disabled. The convoy halted, and immediately came under sniper fire, which wounded several men and put the vehicles out of action.
At 0800, on Saturday 27.3.48, the convoy set out. It reached the Ezion Bloc within an hour and immediately began unloading. There were difficulties loading a small plane, which had suffered damaged when landing --- and a bull, who put up strong resistance. After two hours the convoy set out on its return journey.
During all this time, Arabs had been busy putting up roadblocks, especially south of Bethlehem. Had the convoy set out at 0400 as planned, it could have returned at 0530, before daybreak.
As the convoy was leaving the Bloc at 1100, a scout plane reported numerous roadblocks. However, all attempts to persuade the district commander, and those in charge of the convoy, to sight tight, and tackle the roadblocks after dark, were in vain. At first, they met with roadblocks which were easily passed; but as they got nearer Jerusalem the roadblocks became more frequent, and the shooting intensified. Zvi Zamir relates that the biggest mistake was made at this point: the armored vehicles should have continued moving constantly along the road ahead of the convoy, to disperse the numerous Arabs who were continually setting up new blocks.
When the convoy reached El Khader, beside Nabi Daniel, about two kilometers south of Bethlehem, the barrier-breaking armored vehicle ran into a massive roadblock which it could not shift, and then went over a mine and was disabled. The convoy halted, and immediately came under sniper fire, which wounded several men and put the vehicles out of action.
At 1230, after an hour’s exchange of fire, the convoy’s commander ordered the vehicles to turn about ---- a difficult manoeuvre, since the convoy was about 4 kilometers long ---- and return to the Ezion Bloc. Some of them managed to do so ---- apparently, only about 11: Four armored vehicles (including the command vehicle) and seven trucks. On their way they met a British armored car. Zvi Zamir reported the encounter to the officer in charge, and asked for help in extricating the trapped convoy.
The attempt by a relieving force, led by Menahem Rusek, to get to the site of the incident, failed when they came under heavy fire from several hundred Arabs who had gathered by Rachel’s Tomb.
During all this time, Arabs had been busy putting up roadblocks, especially south of Bethlehem. Had the convoy set out at 0400 as planned, it could have returned at 0530, before daybreak.
As the convoy was leaving the Bloc at 1100, a scout plane reported numerous roadblocks. However, all attempts to persuade the district commander, and those in charge of the convoy, to sight tight, and tackle the roadblocks after dark, were in vain. At first, they met with roadblocks which were easily passed; but as they got nearer Jerusalem the roadblocks became more frequent, and the shooting intensified. Zvi Zamir relates that the biggest mistake was made at this point: the armored vehicles should have continued moving constantly along the road ahead of the convoy, to disperse the numerous Arabs who were continually setting up new blocks.
When the convoy reached El Khader, beside Nabi Daniel, about two kilometers south of Bethlehem, the barrier-breaking armored vehicle ran into a massive roadblock which it could not shift, and then went over a mine and was disabled. The convoy halted, and immediately came under sniper fire, which wounded several men and put the vehicles out of action.
At 1230, after an hour’s exchange of fire, the convoy’s commander ordered the vehicles to turn about ---- a difficult manoeuvre, since the convoy was about 4 kilometers long ---- and return to the Ezion Bloc. Some of them managed to do so ---- apparently, only about 11: Four armored vehicles (including the command vehicle) and seven trucks. On their way they met a British armored car. Zvi Zamir reported the encounter to the officer in charge, and asked for help in extricating the trapped convoy.
The attempt by a relieving force, led by Menahem Rusek, to get to the site of the incident, failed when they came under heavy fire from several hundred Arabs who had gathered by Rachel’s Tomb.