The First Attack
The attacking force missed its way and arrived late. It met with heavy fire and retreated.
Enemy forces were concentrated in the San Simone Monastery and the houses round about it. The plan was as follows:
Force “A”, under Uzi Narkis, would make a diversionary attack in the area of Shahin Hill. Force “B”, under Motke Ben Porat, would leave from the workingmen’s neighborhood of Neve Sha’anan, move toward the monastery, and storm it from the west.
The first attack on Katamon was on 27.4.48. In accordance with the plan, Force “A”, from the Fourth Battalion, created a diversion in the area of Yahin Hill. Force “B” set out on foot for the monastery, but apparently missed their way, and arrived late. On arriving at the monastery they came under heavy fire, some of it from positions that had not been previously spotted.
In view of the disrupted timetable, and the very heavy fire, the battalion commander ordered a withdrawal. The Jews of Jerusalem were severely demoralized by the failure of this action.
Force “A”, under Uzi Narkis, would make a diversionary attack in the area of Shahin Hill. Force “B”, under Motke Ben Porat, would leave from the workingmen’s neighborhood of Neve Sha’anan, move toward the monastery, and storm it from the west.
The first attack on Katamon was on 27.4.48. In accordance with the plan, Force “A”, from the Fourth Battalion, created a diversion in the area of Yahin Hill. Force “B” set out on foot for the monastery, but apparently missed their way, and arrived late. On arriving at the monastery they came under heavy fire, some of it from positions that had not been previously spotted.
In view of the disrupted timetable, and the very heavy fire, the battalion commander ordered a withdrawal. The Jews of Jerusalem were severely demoralized by the failure of this action.