Operation 'GYS' No. 1
The operation scheduled for the night between the 17th and the 18th of July, 1948, was named after its participants: 'Givati', 'Yiftah' and 'Negev' Brigades (Negev Brigade Commander, Nahum Sarig was also nicknamed Sergay) and was commanded by 'Givati' Brigade Commander, Shimon Avidan. The Brigades' pre coordinated to operate individually in the reopening of the road leading to the Negev by occupying main enemy camps in the Faluja- Iraq-El-Manshia sector and securing a transport corridor between the Negev and the south. The forces were forced to retreat even though they managed to occupy some of the targets and the operation was declared a failure.
The enemy: the Egyptian force in the breakthrough sector included a Battalion of 350 men, an H.Q. based in Faluja with 4 mobile cannons, one 88 mm German cannon and 6 field cannons.
Palmach forces: The 3 Brigade combined forces operated in the breakthrough area. The 'Negev' Brigade 7th Battalion operated south of the breakthrough area: 'Yiftach" Brigade 1st Battalion was supposed to occupy Faluja; 'Givati' 53rd Battalion was supposed to occupy Iraq-El-Menashia; assisted by four 65 mm cannons and several antitank cannons.
The operation: 'Negev' Brigade 7th Battalion left Brur-Hail due north, occupying several army posts west of Faluja in order to secure the road. The Battalion opened fire on Egyptian convoys attempting to travel on the dirt road leading from Faluja to Iraq Suwaydan; 'Negev' Brigade 9th Battalion also occupied enemy army posts and the jeep Company patrolled the fences laid by the Egyptians to prevent convoys from reaching the Negev; the attempt of the 53rd Battalion, led by Yitzhak Pundak to occupy Iraq-El –Menashia failed and they were forced to retreat; a 'Givati' force carried out a diversion attack over Bait Affa.
'Yiftach' 3rd Battalion occupied Chata and Qretia; the 1st Battalion under the command Etiel Amichay prepared to occupy Faluja; Company d under the command of Itamar Golani occupied the army posts south of Faluja; Company b under the command of Pinchas Zusman ('Siko') arrived at their destination in the wadi and Company a under the command of Yitzhak Hoffi positioned in a wadi east of Faluja. Company a invaded and occupied most of the town up to the road dividing it from north to south, under cover of mortar fire, while the other companies advanced freely. The enemy opened heavy fire on Battalion Commander, Etiel Amichay and his staff, who decided to retreat once they learned of the defeat at Iraq-El-Menashia. 2 Company Commanders disagreed with the retreat order and Yiftach Brigade Commander attempts to stop the retreat failed. The Egyptian forces renewed the fighting with the retreating forces, reoccupying Faluja, killing 4 men and wounding several others. As a result of the error in judgment, Brigade Commander, Mula Cohen appointed Asaf Simchoni Battalion Commander and Shayke Gavish his deputy.
Palmach forces: The 3 Brigade combined forces operated in the breakthrough area. The 'Negev' Brigade 7th Battalion operated south of the breakthrough area: 'Yiftach" Brigade 1st Battalion was supposed to occupy Faluja; 'Givati' 53rd Battalion was supposed to occupy Iraq-El-Menashia; assisted by four 65 mm cannons and several antitank cannons.
The operation: 'Negev' Brigade 7th Battalion left Brur-Hail due north, occupying several army posts west of Faluja in order to secure the road. The Battalion opened fire on Egyptian convoys attempting to travel on the dirt road leading from Faluja to Iraq Suwaydan; 'Negev' Brigade 9th Battalion also occupied enemy army posts and the jeep Company patrolled the fences laid by the Egyptians to prevent convoys from reaching the Negev; the attempt of the 53rd Battalion, led by Yitzhak Pundak to occupy Iraq-El –Menashia failed and they were forced to retreat; a 'Givati' force carried out a diversion attack over Bait Affa.
'Yiftach' 3rd Battalion occupied Chata and Qretia; the 1st Battalion under the command Etiel Amichay prepared to occupy Faluja; Company d under the command of Itamar Golani occupied the army posts south of Faluja; Company b under the command of Pinchas Zusman ('Siko') arrived at their destination in the wadi and Company a under the command of Yitzhak Hoffi positioned in a wadi east of Faluja. Company a invaded and occupied most of the town up to the road dividing it from north to south, under cover of mortar fire, while the other companies advanced freely. The enemy opened heavy fire on Battalion Commander, Etiel Amichay and his staff, who decided to retreat once they learned of the defeat at Iraq-El-Menashia. 2 Company Commanders disagreed with the retreat order and Yiftach Brigade Commander attempts to stop the retreat failed. The Egyptian forces renewed the fighting with the retreating forces, reoccupying Faluja, killing 4 men and wounding several others. As a result of the error in judgment, Brigade Commander, Mula Cohen appointed Asaf Simchoni Battalion Commander and Shayke Gavish his deputy.