The “Immigrant Battalions” in the “Yiftah” Brigade
The Third Battalion, while still stationed in Northern Galilee, was the first unit of the Palmach to absorb a full platoon of immigrants --- most of them former partisans, who had fought in Russia and Poland.
The Yiftach brigade had a particularly high percentage of members from trainee settlement groups. The brigade’s Third Battalion, while still stationed in Northern Galilee, was the first unit of the Palmach to absorb a full platoon of immigrants --- most of them former partisans, who had fought in Russia and Poland. The total number of immigrants taken in by the brigade, however, was less than that absorbed by either of the two other Palmach brigades: they made up altogether 16% of the unit’s strength. After the brigade’s failure in Operation “Yoram”, reinforcements were needed to bring it up to strength. The immigrants had their first training on the sands of Rishon-le-Zion. There they underwent a few days’ training, which would normally have lasted several weeks.
During Operation “Yoav”, when the men of the brigade were on defensive duty in fortified outposts, their officers took time to teach Hebrew and give them additional training.
During Operation “Yoav”, when the men of the brigade were on defensive duty in fortified outposts, their officers took time to teach Hebrew and give them additional training.