Yiftah Brigade campaigns in the Bet-Hanun sector
The objective: cutting off the Egyptian force based north of Bet-Hanun from the Egyptian force based in the Gaza Strip.
The Yiftah Brigade third Battalion managed to occupy and fortify Egyptian army posts, yet failed in preventing Egyptian transport from traveling on the costal highway due to heavy Egyptian fire. The Egyptian forces managed to complete their retreat from Majdal to Gaza even after the Battalion occupied the village.
The Yiftah Brigade third Battalion managed to occupy and fortify Egyptian army posts, yet failed in preventing Egyptian transport from traveling on the costal highway due to heavy Egyptian fire. The Egyptian forces managed to complete their retreat from Majdal to Gaza even after the Battalion occupied the village.
Iftach Brigade - The First Battalion - 3
Iftach Brigade - Third Battalion - 3
The third Battalion led by Gidon (Gidi) Eilat assignment was to cut off the Egyptian force based north of the village by occupying army posts opposite
Bet-Hanun.
The force included: 3 infantry companies, 81 mm. mortar platoon; half-tracks carrying two 20 mm. cannons; two batteries of 65 mm. cannons and a battery of 75 mm. cannons; the first Battalion, 2 infantry units from the 8th Battalion and a motorized reserve Company.
The operation: Observation posts were based on top of a tower in kibbutz Nir-Am and reconnaissances were carried out in enemy territories. On the night of the 16th of October, Palmach forces occupied 8 posts north-east and east of the village. On the same night, two first Battalion companies under the command of Pinchas ('Siko') Zusman and Yitzhak ('Chake') Chofi sabotaged the bridge and railroad tracks located in Wadi El-Hasi (north of Bet-Hanun) and the bridge over Wadi-Halib (south of Bet-Hanun). The force surprised the Egyptian force guarding the bridge, and either captured or killed those who didn’t manage to escape.
The posts were occupied without any resistance; the fighters dug out trenches and prepared the roads leading to the posts and tactical H.Q. settled 2 km. from
Bet-Hanun.
Because of the many injured, the trenches were protected by jute sacks covered with dirt. The Commanders went from post to post explaining the importance of the operation, thus maintaining high moral.
The Jewish forces occupied Bet-Hanun in response to Egyptian convoys traveling on the main road to begin with, and later on the bypass road west of the main road. On the night of the 20th of October, the village was occupied with out any resistance but the force failed in occupying the Tree Army Post that was occupied the following night. These two moves enabled the strengthening of the northern army posts and a direct attack of Egyptian transport on the bypass road. The Egyptians prepared another bypass road by laying nets along the costal plane between Majdal and Gaza.
On the night of the 21st of October a cease-fire was declared.
Bet-Hanun.
The force included: 3 infantry companies, 81 mm. mortar platoon; half-tracks carrying two 20 mm. cannons; two batteries of 65 mm. cannons and a battery of 75 mm. cannons; the first Battalion, 2 infantry units from the 8th Battalion and a motorized reserve Company.
The operation: Observation posts were based on top of a tower in kibbutz Nir-Am and reconnaissances were carried out in enemy territories. On the night of the 16th of October, Palmach forces occupied 8 posts north-east and east of the village. On the same night, two first Battalion companies under the command of Pinchas ('Siko') Zusman and Yitzhak ('Chake') Chofi sabotaged the bridge and railroad tracks located in Wadi El-Hasi (north of Bet-Hanun) and the bridge over Wadi-Halib (south of Bet-Hanun). The force surprised the Egyptian force guarding the bridge, and either captured or killed those who didn’t manage to escape.
The posts were occupied without any resistance; the fighters dug out trenches and prepared the roads leading to the posts and tactical H.Q. settled 2 km. from
Bet-Hanun.
Because of the many injured, the trenches were protected by jute sacks covered with dirt. The Commanders went from post to post explaining the importance of the operation, thus maintaining high moral.
The Jewish forces occupied Bet-Hanun in response to Egyptian convoys traveling on the main road to begin with, and later on the bypass road west of the main road. On the night of the 20th of October, the village was occupied with out any resistance but the force failed in occupying the Tree Army Post that was occupied the following night. These two moves enabled the strengthening of the northern army posts and a direct attack of Egyptian transport on the bypass road. The Egyptians prepared another bypass road by laying nets along the costal plane between Majdal and Gaza.
On the night of the 21st of October a cease-fire was declared.