The retreat of the remaining force from Akhziv Bridge
The remaining force prepared for retreat in the gathering point, headed by the deputy second in command of the operation, Dolinsky. 28 warriors gathered there. After surveying the railway-bridge area, during which no other survivors from the explosion were found, the force began moving quickly towards kibbutz Mezzuva.
The remaining force prepared for retreat in the gathering point, headed by the deputy second in command of the operation, Dolinsky. 28 warriors gathered there. After surveying the railway-bridge area, during which no other survivors from the explosion were found, the force began moving quickly towards kibbutz Mezzuva. The initial plan determined that during the retreat, the force would divide into two groups (the second group was supposed to retreat to kibbutz Ga'aton.) But in light of the casualties and four injured men in the force, Dolinsky decided to forego the division and quickly retreat to the nearest settlement.
When the force arrived at Mezzuva, the injured warriors received medical treatment. 17 warriors, including Zohara Levitov, who lost her sight for sometime, and Shlomo, who suffered a leg injury, were left in the farmstead. Another 11 warriors, including Dolinsky and the two mildly-injured Yosef Kidron and Ya'aqov R. (Chuli), continued to kibbutz Hanita. The two injured warriors were brought to a small limestone cave, and a Hanita member was assigned to take care of them. The remaining nine were taken to another cave near Hanita, where they hid two straight days.
At dawn, Chaim Meitsner arrived at Mezzuva with stomach and neck injuries. An hour after he lost consciousness, he woke up when the bridge exploded and with great effort made his way back to the kibbutz. Two hours after the explosion, British security personnel took Mezzuva under siege. They arrested Meitsner and transferred him to Latrun prison once he healed from his wounds.
The falling of 14 Palmach warriors provoked much reaction in the Yishuv. The difficulties sin locating the casualties' bodies intensified the shock. Because of the loss of members, the Akhziv road-bridge was not destroyed, and is the only bridge among the bridges attacked in 'Operation Markolet' that has remained intact.
When the force arrived at Mezzuva, the injured warriors received medical treatment. 17 warriors, including Zohara Levitov, who lost her sight for sometime, and Shlomo, who suffered a leg injury, were left in the farmstead. Another 11 warriors, including Dolinsky and the two mildly-injured Yosef Kidron and Ya'aqov R. (Chuli), continued to kibbutz Hanita. The two injured warriors were brought to a small limestone cave, and a Hanita member was assigned to take care of them. The remaining nine were taken to another cave near Hanita, where they hid two straight days.
At dawn, Chaim Meitsner arrived at Mezzuva with stomach and neck injuries. An hour after he lost consciousness, he woke up when the bridge exploded and with great effort made his way back to the kibbutz. Two hours after the explosion, British security personnel took Mezzuva under siege. They arrested Meitsner and transferred him to Latrun prison once he healed from his wounds.
The falling of 14 Palmach warriors provoked much reaction in the Yishuv. The difficulties sin locating the casualties' bodies intensified the shock. Because of the loss of members, the Akhziv road-bridge was not destroyed, and is the only bridge among the bridges attacked in 'Operation Markolet' that has remained intact.