The Southern Front
After nine months of fighting in the south and in the Negev, the Southern Front Command was established, commanded by the Palmach Commander General Yigal Alon. Within six months, through a series of large assault campaigns, the invaders were defeated and the borders of Israel stretched to Eilat.
On 2.9.48, after nine months of fighting in the south and in the Negev, Yigal Alon was appointed as Commander in Chief of the Southern Front. In the 9 months prior to the establishment of the Southern Front Command, Mundak Pasternak served on behalf of the 'Hagana' Command and when the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) was formed, he served on behalf of the IDF General Staff as liaison officer for the Southern Front. His activities focused on all matters relating to the Givati and Negev Battalions and the coordination between them.
The Givati Brigade was responsible for the Southern District (from Nes Ziona to Majdal - Beit Jubrin, including the road). The Negev Brigade was responsible for the Negev District (from the Majdal – Beit Jubrin road to Revivim and Nevatim).
General Yigal Alon was accompanied by his Palmach General Staff who were experienced in commanding the 'Yiftach' and 'Dani' Divisional Operations.
The Southern Front Command was located in Gadera with the addition of several other command officers. The main officers who joined the Southern Front command were: Yitzhak Rabin; Deputy Operations Officer – Amos Horev; Intelligence Officer – Zrubavel Arbel ('Chifaff '); Liaison Officer – Ariel Amiad; Artillery Support officer – Freddy Blum; Engineering Oficer – Meir Batz; Supply Officer – Benny Eden; Adjutancy Officer – Azarahu Arnon (Sini).
General Yigal Alon first established two Command Headquarters: the Plains District Command and the Negev District Command that were responsible for the 'Territorial Defense Organization'. Each District Command had its own garrisons.
These forces replaced the Givati and Yiftach Brigades in maintaining the army posts in the Southern and Negev districts (at this stage they replaced the Negev Brigade that was transferred to Beer Yaakov for reorganization). The result of this shuffle was that the Givati and Yiftach Brigades were available for assault missions.
Within 6 months from the time of the establishment of the Southern Command Front, after a series of large and successful campaigns, the Egyptian forces were defeated, the Arab Legion that held the Arava was driven out, and the entire Southern sector and the Negev (apart from the Gaza Strip), fell under the jurisdiction of the Jewish State.
The battles in the Negev can be divided into four stages according to the strength of the forces and the framework of the fighting.
Fighting the Arabs of Mandatory Palestine from December 1947 to the 15th of May 1948.
Combating the invading Egyptian Expeditionary Forces from 15.5.48 to 10.6.48.
The siege on the Negev from 10.6.48 to 15.10.48.
The series of assault campaigns and the conquest of the entire Negev from 15.10.48 to 10.3.49.
The Givati Brigade was responsible for the Southern District (from Nes Ziona to Majdal - Beit Jubrin, including the road). The Negev Brigade was responsible for the Negev District (from the Majdal – Beit Jubrin road to Revivim and Nevatim).
General Yigal Alon was accompanied by his Palmach General Staff who were experienced in commanding the 'Yiftach' and 'Dani' Divisional Operations.
The Southern Front Command was located in Gadera with the addition of several other command officers. The main officers who joined the Southern Front command were: Yitzhak Rabin; Deputy Operations Officer – Amos Horev; Intelligence Officer – Zrubavel Arbel ('Chifaff '); Liaison Officer – Ariel Amiad; Artillery Support officer – Freddy Blum; Engineering Oficer – Meir Batz; Supply Officer – Benny Eden; Adjutancy Officer – Azarahu Arnon (Sini).
General Yigal Alon first established two Command Headquarters: the Plains District Command and the Negev District Command that were responsible for the 'Territorial Defense Organization'. Each District Command had its own garrisons.
These forces replaced the Givati and Yiftach Brigades in maintaining the army posts in the Southern and Negev districts (at this stage they replaced the Negev Brigade that was transferred to Beer Yaakov for reorganization). The result of this shuffle was that the Givati and Yiftach Brigades were available for assault missions.
Within 6 months from the time of the establishment of the Southern Command Front, after a series of large and successful campaigns, the Egyptian forces were defeated, the Arab Legion that held the Arava was driven out, and the entire Southern sector and the Negev (apart from the Gaza Strip), fell under the jurisdiction of the Jewish State.
The battles in the Negev can be divided into four stages according to the strength of the forces and the framework of the fighting.
Fighting the Arabs of Mandatory Palestine from December 1947 to the 15th of May 1948.
Combating the invading Egyptian Expeditionary Forces from 15.5.48 to 10.6.48.
The siege on the Negev from 10.6.48 to 15.10.48.
The series of assault campaigns and the conquest of the entire Negev from 15.10.48 to 10.3.49.