Infiltrating the Atlit Detention Camp
The Palmach unit of over one hundred members left its base in kibbutz Beit-Oren at 23:00 on the night between October 9th and 10th 1945.
The Palmach unit of over one hundred members left its base in kibbutz Beit-Oren at 23:00 on the night between October 9th and 10th 1945. On the way to the target, the main force split into a primary breakthrough force and two secondary forces intended to isolate the operation area and block British forces from getting through to aid the attacked. The breakthrough was supposed to commence at 01:00. Due to a navigation error, the breakthrough force lined up near the camp only seven minutes before the zero hour. The infiltration was effectively achieved. The evacuation of the two hundred immigrants from the camp took less than a half an hour and caused no injuries.
The immigrants were led on foot towards Beit-Oren. They were divided into a few groups due to the immigrants' psychological difficulty in leaving their sole belongings behind, as well as the limited mobility of the women and children. The first group that came close to Beit-Oren was spotted by a British police vehicle near the kibbutz. A policeman was killed in the fire exchanges that ensued. The news about the escape ran fast, and only by diversion and misleading tactics, was the group of immigrants able to escape down Mt. Carmel towards kibbutz Yagur. Another group arrived in Beit-Oren at midday. The British police used armored cars to surround both kibbutzim where the fugitives and their rescuers found shelter. Their quick response surprised the operation commanders. The Hagana HQ summoned residents from Haifa and the neighboring settlements, which gathered in a massive crowd around both kibbutzim. The British decided to retreat, realizing that any attempt to break in would result in many injuries.
The immigrants were led on foot towards Beit-Oren. They were divided into a few groups due to the immigrants' psychological difficulty in leaving their sole belongings behind, as well as the limited mobility of the women and children. The first group that came close to Beit-Oren was spotted by a British police vehicle near the kibbutz. A policeman was killed in the fire exchanges that ensued. The news about the escape ran fast, and only by diversion and misleading tactics, was the group of immigrants able to escape down Mt. Carmel towards kibbutz Yagur. Another group arrived in Beit-Oren at midday. The British police used armored cars to surround both kibbutzim where the fugitives and their rescuers found shelter. Their quick response surprised the operation commanders. The Hagana HQ summoned residents from Haifa and the neighboring settlements, which gathered in a massive crowd around both kibbutzim. The British decided to retreat, realizing that any attempt to break in would result in many injuries.