CHAPTER FIVE - part 2 of 3 | go to part 1 | go to part 3

14 MAY 1946
At approx 2210 hrs on 14 May in Petah Tiqva, 2 Jews armed with bren guns, automatics and grenades entered the "Bluebird Cafe". Speaking in English they told the customers, who included police and military, to keep their places, and not to move. Another armed Jew who was attempting to start a Jeep which was parked outside said in Hebrew "I can't start it" to which one of the hold-up men replied in the same language "If we can't have it neither will they, set it on fire." During the hold-up the voices of at least 8 more men were heard in the street. The Jeep was set alight and the men escaped. After they left soldiers extinguished the fire which did little damage. It is believed that the men escaped on foot. At 2220 hours on the same day in Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv, four Jewish youths, one of whom was armed, approached a Jeep vehicle which was parked outside the "Ark Services Club. The driver was sitting in the vehicle and was shot twice in the leg and the Jew then drove off in the Jeep. Fortunately the driver was not seriously injured.
WO 169122957

15 MAY 1946
During the night of 14/15 May at the Domestic Camp, Tel Litwinsky, unknown persons entered a hut in which 20 RAF personnel were sleeping and removed 3 Sten guns, one rifle, 112 rounds of 9 mm and 50 rounds .303 SAA.
WO 169122957

15 MAY 1946
No reports of any attempts at sabotage have been received by this office except for the HMS Chevron incident reported below, which was at first believed to be sabotage. On 15 May it was discovered that the seal of an ammunition wagon on a special RAF train was broken. Investigations have shown that some 221 boxes of ammunition are missing containing approximately 134,000 rounds. As this wagon was the only one containing SAAA out of the 28 wagons composing the train, and as the boxes were removed in a very short space of time, estimated at about 4 minutes, it appears that this was a very well organized plan, executed boldly and quickly. It was obvious that previous information of a highly reliable source was obtained. It is reasonable to suppose that this step is accountable to a Jewish organization, in all probability the Hagana.

The first incident of any importance was the discovery of explosives in a kit bag on board the H.M.S. Chevron when she docked at Haifa.

It would appear that in all probability, this was an effort on the part of a Jewish seaman named Martosh, to bring explosives into Palestine for use at a later date in illegal operations. Whether this was so, or on the other hand, whether he had purposed an attempt to damage the destroyer, may come to light during his trial.
WO 169123031

20 MAY 1946
On 20 May, three armed men entered Barclays Bank at Nablus and escaped with over L6,000. Preliminary reports say that they were Jews, most probably members of the NMO. This incident would appear to link up with information received that the illegal organizations would operate away from Tel Aviv if possible, so as not to have disciplinary measures taken against the population, which brought blame upon the terrorist organizations. Also it ties up with the information received that the NMO was running short of financial means and proposed further attacks solely with an aim of obtaining money.
WO 169123031

20 MAY 1946
On the evening of 20 May an affray took place between an Arab and a Jew in Carrnel St., Tel Aviv. In the course of the fight the Jew's twelve year old son stabbed the Arab in the chest with a knife.
WO 169122957

2 JUNE 1946
On the night of the 2 June 1946 at approximately 2130 hours groups of Jewish youths congregated in Hayarkon Street between the Officers Club and Armon Hotel apparently with the intention of molesting women associating with British personnel. After a certain amount of argument and apparent threatening the crowd dispersed without any actual incident.
WO 275/40

6 JUNE 1946
Dr. Israel Sheib, a detainee of Latrun Camp made a spectacular escape on 6 June 1946. At 1000 hrs three detainees were brought into Jerusalem from Latrun by an escort of PMF for medical treatment. Two of the detainees with two Brit constables were dropped at an x-ray clinic while the remainder of the escort took Shieb to Dr. Treu's clinic in the Street of the Prophets. There the Brit Sgt took him into the waiting room while two Brit constables remained on guard outside. Shortly afterwards a grey saloon drove up and two men alighted carrying a third, swathed in blankets and took him inside. They then held up the two Brit Constables, removed their weapons and locked them in a nearby room. The door of the waiting room was flung open, two shots were fired at Brt Sgt, one which wounded him, and Shieb dashed out. The party then made their getaway in the car waiting outside, snatching a rifle as they went from the hands of an RAF man standing nearby. The car, which had been stolen in Tel Aviv at 0730 hours that same evening, was later found abandoned.
WO 169122957

7 JUNE 1946
On the night of Friday the 7 June 1946 at approximately 1030-1 100 p.m. a British civilian by the name of Harris, address and occupation unknown, was proceeding from Cafe Piltz to the sea front. As he passed a group of Jewish youths one man knocked him down twice whilst the others set about and kicked him. Although the neighboring London Square was full of people no one apparently answered his cries for assistance. He finally escaped to the Armon Cafe where he received medical assistance and reported the incident to Adjt, OC Tps, Captain Windsor. He has subsequently sent a letter to the Mayor of Tel Aviv demanding compensation for damage to his clothing.
WO 275/40

8 JUNE 1946
At 1420 hours a minor explosion took place at No. 54 Bacova Street, Tel Aviv. Investigations found two bombs in the garden. These were detonated. They contained shrapnel and pieces of tin.
WO l69/23031

10 JUNE 1946
A train coming from Jerusalem to Jaffa was stopped at approx 1830 hours by the pulling of the communication cord at a point where a track crosses the line (MR 13001615) 3.8 krns from Tel Aviv station. About 25 or 30 armed men and women alighted from the train, cleared out the passengers, set fire to the coaches with the aid of petrol, seriously damaged the locomotive by an explosive charge placed in the driver's cab, damaged one section of permanent way with a charge placed under the ballast and then escaped in vehicles which were waiting not far away.

One TAC escort was wounded. The attackers, who were said to be Jews dressed as Arabs, escaped without any known casualties.

The five coaches of the train were completely gutted. The train which left Lydda junction at 18 15 hrs for Jerusalem was stopped at about 1830 hrs near Neane at MR 13791433. A girl pulled the communication cord in a third class compartment and persons on the line were seen waving a red flag. In each coach two people, said to be Jews, cleared the passengers from the train. A truck was observed coming from the direction of "Na'ana Colony" (probably the Jewish settlement No'ar Oved). This truck dropped 15 armed men, said to be Jews, then returned and brought 15 more. The attackers were soon pouring petrol over the coaches and setting light to them. Two explosions and shots were also heard. The saboteurs then divided into two parties, one of which went into a nearby watch-tower situated on the Colony's lands, and fired shots into the air. The second party remained near the train.

Witnesses stated that they saw two Jews carrying a wounded man along the line and that a wounded man was seen lying on a stretcher surrounded by Jews. This wounded man was removed by truck in the direction of "Na'ana" Colony.

Subsequent investigations by the police revealed the presence of a stretcher with bandages 200 meters from the railway line in the same direction, and tracks were followed by the police to within 500 meters of the main track from Na'ana Colony.

A two gallon tin, containing what was believed to be an explosive substance, was founded attached to the wheel of the locomotive. This appears to have exploded only partially. Five water-bottles smelling of petrol were found near the railway line.

One mail bag is missing from the train: no casualty to TAC escorts have been reported. The five coaches were completely gutted.
WO 169122957

11 JUNE 1946
At 01 30 hours a number of explosions took place on the railway line at Kilo 47 North of Hadera. Two lengths of rail were badly damaged.

At 0845 at Kilo 114 on the Lydda-Kantara railway, three persons dressed as Arabs were seen placing a tin under the line. Investigations found explosives and a wire leading to a switch in a nearby grove.
WO 169123031

11 JUNE 1946
At approximately 0520 hours on 1 1 June a small explosion took place at 57 Mizrahi "B" St., Tel Aviv. Investigations on the premises led to the finding of some sixty-four home-made mines, which were a very fine piece of work. As most of these mines were primed and packed in cases, it was appointed to more acts of violence to follow at a near date. It would appear that these mines were proposed for use of either the IZL or the LHI, most probably the latter.
WO 169123031

14 JUNE 1946 At 2200 hours in Tiberias Street, Haifa, two unknown persons fired 5 shots at Rafiq Beydoun, the District Officer Haifa and seriously wounded him. At 2230 hours a bomb was thrown in the Cafe Central in Suq AreaHaifa. There were two casualties. WO 169123031

16 JUNE 1946
During the evening of 16th June 1946, Hagana carried out attacks on road and rail bridges on the frontier of Palestine, causing damage estimated at L250,00O. Four road and four rail bridges were destroyed during the night, and one road bridge across the Jordan was destroyed by a delayed action mine, while attempts were being made to remove the charges. One British officer of the Royal Engineers was killed by the explosion.
WO 261/562

16/17 JUNE 1946
On the night 16/17 June 1946 a series of widespread attacks took place against road and rail communications, which severed the railway both in the North and South and the three main routes across the Jordan.

At approximately 2300 hours a number of Jews (12-20) approached Az-Zib railway bridge (160272) from the South. They split into two groups, one party engaging the police post with small arms fire, whilst the other group laid charges to blow up the bridge. A number of men in this force were observed to be dressed in Army uniform. The TAC Guard engaged this force with fire and hit one of the charges as it was being laid in position. The charge blew up killing four of the raiders. Two others were found dead in the area, killed by small arms fire. During a subsequent search in this area police dogs followed scent to Mesuva colony (165274) which was searched, and one badly wounded Jew was found there. A number of mines and booby traps were found close to Az-Zib village. This bridge was scheduled to be temporarily repaired by 18 June '46.

At approximately the same time a raiding party attempted to blow up the railway bridge at Naamin 15812577 South of Acre. They only succeeded in damaging it slightly as the raiding party made off upon the approach of military patrols. A taxi stopped in this area by a military patrol contained 5 men and 3 women, one of whom was suffering from a wound in the chest. All this party were detained.

In the Northern districts again, a road bridge North of Metulla was blown up. Little information has come to hand concerning this incident and the numbers of the attackers involved are unknown.

At 2350 hours an unknown number of Jews attacked the TJFF Camp in Safad. Grenades were thrown and the attack was driven off. One trooper was slightly wounded. The TAC on guard over the road bridge at Jisr Banat Yacoub (209269) was held up by six armed men, who then blew up the bridge on the Palestine side. The bridge was destroyed and rendered impassable. The railway bridge at Jisr el Hawi (2 1 123 1) and the road bridge at Jisr Damiya (2001 67) were found to have been damaged by explosives. At approximately 23 15 hours Allenby Bridge across the Jordan was attacked by a force of nearly thirty Jews. The police post was engaged and heavy firing continued for some thirty minutes before the raiders succeeded in blowing the bridge. The police post received some assistance in the shape of small arms fire from the Arab Legion Post on the Transjordan side. The bridge is impassable, and will take some weeks to repair. Dogs trailed from the bridge to Qevutsat Ha Hugim colony (200133). Sixty-two men from this colony, who failed to establish their identity were removed to Latrun./ep./

At 2359 hours approximately, a party of about thirty armed men attacked the road and rail bridge at Wadi Gaza (D94096). Heavy covering fire was put down whilst the blowing parties edged in. Bombs were thrown at the buttresses on the railway bridge damaging two pillars. The road bridge was rendered totally impassable by the exploding of a landmine.
WO 169123031

16/17 JUNE 1946
Widespread attacks on road and rail bridges on or near the Palestine frontiers were made by armed Jews during the night of 16th-17th June.

At 11 p.m. police post at railway bridge at Az Zib (Acre) was attacked by Jews dressed in military uniforms. The attackers succeeded in blowing up the bridge and rendering it impassable. The body of a dead Jew and portions of another body were later found under the railway bridge. Six haversacks filled with gelignite were found on the road bridge nearby and were removed by the Army.

Shortly afterwards, the police post at Allenby Bridge (Jerusalem-Amman Road) was attacked by automatic fire and bombs. After an engagement lasting about half an hour the attackers managed to reach the bridge and blew it up close to the Palestine Bank. The police post and the customs buildings were damaged by explosives. A woman searcher and an Arab boy in a nearby cafe were slightly injured. A party of Beduin near the bridge were subsequently attacked by a gang of some 20 armed Jews, who were presumably returning from this operation. One Beduin was stabbed and seriously injured.

At 1 1.30 p.m. the road bridge north of Metulla (Northern Frontier) was blown up and shortly afterwards the camp at Safad was attacked with hand grenades. The attack was repulsed, one trooper was injured.

At midnight the road and rail bridges at Wadi Gaza (south of Gaza) were attacked by some 30 men. Bombs were thrown at the railway bridge damaging two of the buttresses. A land mine exploded on the road bridge rendering it impassable. Police proceeding to the scene were fired on from an orange grove near the bridge. Four Army haversacks filled with explosives were found on the road bridge and removed by the military.

Road bridges over the Jordan at Jisr Banat Yacoub (Northem Frontier) and Jisr Sheikh Hussein and the railway suspension bridge between Samakh and El Hamme (Jordan Valley) was also blown up and rendered impassable to traffic. On the bridge at Jisr Damiya over the Jordan a police patrol found a clock, some wire and a switch in the centre of the bridge, together with traces of blood. It is thought that an unsuccessful attempt had been made to blow up this bridge with a time bomb. FO 371/52530

17 June 1946 On the morning of 17 June, dogs trailed to the settlement of Qevutsat Ha Hugim (200133), and it was cordoned by troops. Troops moved into the settlement after the males had refused to be segregated. Considerable passive resistance was met. Males lay down on the ground and refused to move, while women assaulted the troops with clubs as they attempted to remove the recalcitrant males, using minimum force necessary. No injuries were sustained by the women and children, though a number of male settlers were slightly injured and one received minor bayonet wounds. In all, 62 men who refused to establish their identities were detained.

At 2325 hours the road bridge at 20472998 to the North of Metulla police post was blown up. Some 30 minutes later, the TJFF Camp at Safad was attacked with hand grenades, The attack was beaten off and one trooper was wounded.
WO 261/562

17 JUNE 1946
At approximately 2120 hours on 17 June some thirty to forty members of the LHI attacked the Kishon railway workshop at Haifa. The party arrived in a truck and opening heavy firerushed the gate and bombed their way in. Soon after this a series of explosions took place which started a fire in the works. Most of the destruction was caused in the machine shop, but a locomotive was completely wrecked, and the engine in the powerhouse was destroyed. A number of buildings were damaged by blast and fire. Fire engines which attempted to reach the scene of the incident found their approach barred by mines which had been laid on roads leading to the workshop. One fire engine was wrecked on a mine.

Road blocks were quickly established by the military, and at approximately 2300 hours a truck was observed approaching the block at Kfar Atar (162045) at high speed. Once the driver of the vehicle spotted the block, he charged up with the idea of crashing through. At the same time the occupants opened fire. The truck struck one of the carriers after the sole occupant had managed to get off two rounds, and swung it round. The opening of fire was the signal for the remaining troops lining the ditch to open up, and as a result seven of the occupants were killed, five were seriously wounded (including one woman), six slightly wounded (incl. two women) and fifteen captured (inc. 1 woman). There were thirty three on the lorry altogether and the twenty six survivors were detained. All of the Jews were armed; their arms included 4 TMG's and 4 stens among other weapons.

Subsequently two more Jews who took part in the raid were found dead at the railway workshop.
WO 169123031

17/18 JUNE 1946
At 2 1 10 hours on 17 June the Kishon Railway Workshops in Haifa Bay were attacked. A truck containing the terrorists rushed the gate of the workshops and attacked with automatic fire and grenades. Bombs were laid in the main workshops and subsequent explosions caused considerable damage to the building and did slight damage to a compressor. Total known casualties to the attackers were two dead, whose bodies were found afterwards in the workshops, one of whom had a .45 revolver strapped to his body. There were no casualties among the guards.

The area was found to have been extensively mined, especially in the vicinity of the Consolidated Refineries, on the Haifa-Acre road and on the road to the Airport. This hampered the arrival of troops, and fire engines which were called for to deal with a fire which broke out in the workshops. A fire engine of the Municipal Fire Brigade which ran over a land mine, was wrecked and several of the crew were injured.

At 2300 hours on the same night, a truck attempted to rush at high speed a military road block near Kafr Atta 160245. The truck became entangled in the dannert wire and hit a carrier stationed at the back. The troops opened fire as the occupants tried to reverse the truck, and a fierce gun-fight ensued, as aresult of which theentire complement of the truck was accounted for. Seven Jews were killed, five, including one woman, were seriously wounded, six, including two women, were slightly wounded, and fifteen, including one woman, were captured. There were no casualties to British troops. Among the arms found on the truck were 8 machine carbines, 7 pistols, 17 magazines, 344 rounds of ammunition, 25 bombs of varying types and a sack containing 30 lbs of explosives.

At approximately midnight, 30 armed Jews carried out an attack on the road and rail bridge across the Wadi Gaza 094096. Bombs were thrown at the railway bridge, damaging two buttresses, although the bridge remained intact. A land mine exploded on the road bridge, rendering it impassable. Later, four haversacks of explosive were found on the road bridge and were dismantled. As a result of this attack, the settlement of Beerot Yitzhak 102097 was cordoned and searched on the morning of 19 June. The search lasted some five hours and although nothing was found, two men who objected to being interrogated were temporarily detained.

At midnight, the TAC guard on the road bridge at Jist Banat Ya'Aqub 209269 was held up by six armed Jews. The attackers disarmed the guard, threw his rifle into the river and then blew up the bridge on the Palestine side, leaving the bridge passable only by foot.

At midnight the road bridge at Jisr Sheikh Hussein 20432155 was completely destroyed by explosives. Damage to this bridge is estimated at LP 48,000.

At 0 100 hours on 17 June, the railway suspension bridge at Jisr El Hawi between Samakh and El Hamme was damaged by an explosion, and rendered impassable.

At 0500 hours, a police party, which went to Jisr Damiya bridge 2005 1677, found a clock, some wire and a switch in the centre of the bridge. At 1340 hours on 17 June, while a British RE Officer was inspecting the charges on the bridge before dismantling them, the charge blew up, killing the officer and damaging the bridge.
WO 261/562

18 JUNE 1946
Jewish terrorist campaign continued today with kidnapping five British Officers by armed Jews in Tel Aviv and shooting two British Officers in street in Jerusalem. Official communique issued this evening Tuesday states that 1.15 this afternoon party of armed Jews entered Officers Club in Hayarken Street, Tel Aviv, and held up all Officers present. Jews proceeded select four British Officers of Army, one British Officer Royal Air Force, and then escorted them out of Club. Two Officers were struck with iron piping while attempting resist. Party then entered taxi which found abandoned short distance away soon afterward. It is supposed party got away in another car. At 2.40 this afternoon in King George Avenue, one of main streets Jerusalem, two Army Officers shot wounded by man who alighted from taxi which pulled near them. One Officer grappled with man who shot him. Automatic fire then opened at two Officers and Jew entered taxi which then driven off. Both Officers removed to hospital.
FO 371/52531

18 JUNE 1946
At approximately 1315 hours on Wednesday 18 June a party of at least 5 armed Jews entered Tel Aviv Officers Club and held up everybody present; five officers were then selected and ordered outside, where cars were waiting. Whilst the operation was proceeding inside the Club, military personnel were held up outside by a further party of terrorists. Their task of selection of hostages completed, the Irgun terrorists made good their escape in vehicles stolen in and around Tel Aviv that morning, taking the undermentioned British Officers with them as hostage: Capt. Spencer, RE, Capt. Taylor, 17 Para Bn., Capt. Warburton, 4 ParaBn., Capt. Rea, REME., FLt. Russell, DAPM RAF, Tel Aviv.

At approximately 1430 hours 18 June, Major Chadwick of HQ Palestine was kidnapped outside the Goldsmith Officers' Club by two men who forced him into a taxi. On entering the taxi he was chloroformed by a woman accomplice. He was taken to a building in the Bokharian Qtr and told by his Jewish captors that he was held as a hostage for the two IZL men sentenced to death last week. Major Chadwick escaped from his captors at approximately 1500 hours 20 June.

At 1450 hours on the same day, Major Low, RE and Major Crosthwaite, RE, of HQ Palestine, were held up by an armed Jew near the Goldsmith Officers Club. The Jew, who had alighted from a taxi, obviously attempted to coerce the two British Officers inside. In the subsequent scuffle, both officers were wounded by fire from armed Jews and automatic fire from inside taxi.
WO 261/562

19 JUNE 1946
At Kefar Giladi 203294 on 19 June the inhabitants were questioned by the Police, names were recorded and a long and thorough, but unproductive search for arms was carried out. The Mukhtar admitted to having illegal arms in his colony but told the SP that they would never be found and that they were intended for defense against Arabs and would never be used against British tps. At the same time a search was carried out in Tel Hai 204293, also without result. In Kefar Giladi, the inhabitants put up some passive resistance at first, some women threw pots and pans at the tps and some men refused to let go of tables, etc., until compelled to do so.

While the search was being carried out a party of about 100 Jews appeared from the direction of Metulla and were told to return to their colonies. However just before the operation was completed, 13 Jews attempted to break through the cordon 400 yards South of Tel Hai, two were killed and five injured when the military were compelled to open fire. WO 169122957

20 JUNE 1946 At 0045 hours on the sea front at Tel Aviv a Jew became involved in a skirmish with two British Officers. One officer shot and fatally wounded the Jew.

Major Chadwick escaped from his kidnappers.
WO 169123031

22 JUNE 1946
Captain Rea and F/Lt Russell were released by their captors at approximately 2300 hours 22 June 1946 after spending the interim period bound, shackled, and closely guarded by terrorists in a cellar somewhere in Tel Aviv.

It appears that after his capture F/Lt Russell was conveyed by taxi with hands tied, to a green lorry parked in a side street in Tel Aviv, he was then thrown inside a large crate on the lorry where he found Captain Rea who was gagged with adhesive tape and bleeding from a head wound. After proceeding for approximately 15 minutes the lorry stopped, the crate was unloaded and the two British Officers found themselves in a cellar.

Guarded by four armed Jews the officers had their hands retied and feet bound and were visited eight hours later by a masked man who ordered them to be untied and chains to be placed on their feet and wrists. This was done. From then on the masked leader visited them each night at 2000 hours, and on Saturday 22 June he visited them again at 2245 hours and read out a letter to the British Officers' to the effect that they had been prisoners of the Irgun and that they were now to be released on orders from "higher authority." He hoped that they would tell their friends that they had been fairly treated and that they would meet again in some bar or on the battlefield in the fight between the Jewish and British armies. The leader then pushed LP 1 into the pocket of F/Lt Russell and said it was for wear and tear and any inconveniences suffered.

The two British officers were then conveyed with eyes covered by dark goggles, to Trumpledor Street by taxi and released.

During their period of captivity they were fairly well fed and always well guarded, and from Wednesday morning on, both prisoners were gagged with adhesive tape and shackled by hands or feet, but never both. It is interesting to note that one of the Jewish Guards told F/Lt Russell that the Hagana and Irgun were now one force.
WO 275/40

26 JUNE 1946
On 26 June '46 some 30-40 Jews raided the Diamond Factory at Pardess Katz near Ramat Gan, just at the time the workers were bringing their stones back to the safes. It is estimated that stones to the value of between LP 30,000 and LP 40,000 were stolen. This savours of an IZL operation and supports the information received by this office that this organization was in need of more money.
WO 169123031

29 JUNE 1946
At Tel Yosef at 0508 hours on 29 June, it was necessary to break down the gates of the colony, using M lo's, as the Mukhtar refused to open them or cooperate in any way. The Jews of this settlement nearly all offered passive resistance and were extremely truculent and abusive. At 0540 hours one Jew attacked a British NCO and tried to snatch his TSMG from him; another NCO immediately fired one rifle shot at him, mortally wounding both the Jew and Private Pearce of 2 N Staffs.

At 0830 hours 29 June one Jew was killed and another wounded (subsequently died) when they tried to force their way through the outer cordon round Tel Yosef and Ein Harod. They were in a party of approximately 50 Jews in 2 lorries.
WO 275/27

30 JUNE 1946
At approximately 1730 hours on 30 June in Haifa, 2 vehicles belonging to 438 Coy RASC were escorting 2 civilian clerks employed by the unit to their homes in Haifa. The clerks were dropped at the eastern end of Herzl Street and the escort vehicles returned in the direction of the Armon cinema. On the way from Herzl Street the vehicles were stoned and at a point approximately 50 yards east of junction Herzl Street and Armon Street a large crowd had gathered in the road. As the vehicles approached, the crowd moved aside revealing a barricade thrown across the road. The leading vehicle braked suddenly and swung down a side street to the right, thus avoiding the block, but when the second vehicle braked, the engine stalled and the driver had difficulty in restarting. At this point the crowd surged forward to the truck, shouting and throwing stones. The escort of this truck considered it necessary to fire one warning shot and he discharged one round into the ground in front of the crowd. Thereupon the crowd dispersed and the second vehicle was able to get away down a side street. Three persons were injured as a result of this shot being fired.
WO 275/27

4 JULY 1946
The remaining three kidnapped officers were released on 4 July in Tel Aviv, having been imprisoned for 16 days. During this time they were chained by the wrists, but otherwise were reasonably treated. Their guards were mainly young Sephardic Jews, of whom 4 were on duty at a time, armed with pistols. They appeared to be fanatical Zionists, who gave out earnest propaganda at the slightest provocation.

On their release the officers were placed in a box, chloroformed, and carried by truck to the corner of Shedal Street and Rothschild Street, where they were dumped. Although hundreds of passers-by were present, nobody apparently considered the occasion worthy of note, and no information was obtained from them.

It has now been established that the place of imprisonment was at North Salameth Road, in Givat Moshe, Tel Aviv. After the search at Mesheq Jagur, two Jews were abducted. The belief that they were informers about the arms caches probably caused the abduction as a means of revenge or as an insurance against further informing. Reports that they have been killed are denied.
WO 275/58

11 JULY 1946
One of the two Czechs kidnapped by Hagana for suspected complicity in the discovery of the Yagur arms caches was released on 11 July and some days later the other, Benjamin Papanek, succeeded in escaping from the house in Haifa where he had been detained. He reported to the Police showing considerable signs of ill treatment.

On closer examination he was found in fact to have been tortured. His captors had tortured him by applying lighted cigarettes over the greater part of his body and his suffering seem to have affected his nerves. His kidnappers according to Kol Israel, had only sentenced him to be deported and not to death. This will undoubtedly act as a deterrent to potential informers, in spite of the fact that the two had no connection with the Police or Military, and the incident has been given a great deal of publicity in the Jewish Press. The methods employed by Hagana on Papanek indicates the ruthlessness of the Jewish Underground Organization.
WO 261/562

17 JULY 1946
On 17 July 1946 truck No. M 763 C, containing radio sets and thread, was stolen by 5 armed Jews near Gan Haim 140179. The men said they were members of H.M.O.

On 17 July 1946 WD truck No. 5677830 should have reported to Beit Nabala. It did not arrive, but the Ceylonese driver turned up the following morning saying that his vehicle had been stolen by armed Jews, and that he had been held during the night.
WO 275/58

22 JULY 1946
At approximately 1145 hours on 22 July 1946, Jewish terrorists of the Irgun Zwei Leumi succeeded in making their way into the basement of the King David Hotel by way of the hotel staff entrance, and deposited explosives in the Restaurant. At 1236 hours the explosives were detonated and the explosion partially destroyed the Secretariat Wing and the Defense Security Office, HQ Palestine, causing the death of 91 persons, of whom 13 were military.

The attack began at approximately 1145 hours when a commercial truck drove up to the staff entrance of the hotel, and six Jews disguised as Arabs alighted and made to enter the hotel. On being asked by the hotel reception clerk for details of their business, they produced revolvers and forced the clerk back into his office. Another of the terrorists rounded up the remaining hotel employees in the basement and herded all into the kitchen whilst the other members of the gang went along the passage towards "La Regence" Restaurant, carrying explosives and wheeling the milk cans into which the bulk charge had been deposited.

The presence of the Jews was detected at approximately 1200 hours by a British Signals Officer of HQ Palestine Signals, who suspicious of the movement that was taking place outside the signals exchange in the basement, went outside to investigate. He immediately grappled with one of the terrorists, but was overcome and shot in the stomach by another of the Jews. Meanwhile, whilst this was taking place, the hotel clerk succeeded in pressing the alarm bell in his office, and at 1215 hours the alarm was sounded at Jerusalem District Police HQ and a patrol car dispatched to investigate.

The Jews, who by this time had completed the laying of the charge in the restaurant, were soon making good their escape at 1220 hours. They were fired upon by military police personnel on the spot, hits being observed on two of the escaping six. At this time, a diversionary explosion took place on the pavement outside a shop opposite the hotel, and this succeeded in diverting the attention of police and military on the spot. In the ensuing confusion, the Jewish terrorists made good their escape in a black saloon car which had been parked in the side street at the North end of the Hotel.

Immediately after the first explosion, the alarm sirens were sounded by the police, and all the efforts were made to intercept the escaping terrorists. It was not until the tumult and confusion had subsided that it became apparent that the Jews had been in the basement for quite a length of time, and some military and police officers had been down to investigate further. After interrogating the hotel employees in the basement, the officers mentioned were proceeding toward La Regence restaurant to discover the reason for the attack on the building when the main explosion occurred, causing the damage already described.

The "success" of the Jewish terrorists was aided by the confusion their disguise created and the terror their entry caused among the hotel employees in the basement. When the British Officer was shot and fatally wounded, events moved with such rapidity that it was still impossible toelucidate from hotel employees that Jewish terrorists had been in the building for over half an hour. When it did become apparent that the Jewish raiders had conveyed milk chums and bulky packages in the direction of La Regence restaurant, it was too late to avert disaster; in fact, the investigating officers narrowly escaped with their lives, for they were proceeding along the passage to the restaurant when the main explosion occurred.

The casualty roll of 91 dead and 69 injured was extremely high owing to the explosion occurring at a time when the maximum number of people were in the building, a contingency the terrorists must have realized when they planned the outrage. In addition, the first explosion caused casualties to passersby and to passengers in a bus which was passing at the time. Many of those injured by this explosion were also in the Secretariat, receiving first aid, when the final explosion took place. The terrorists, using preconceived escape routes, escaped on foot and by taxi into the Jewish quarter of the Old City, and early the following day information was received that two wounded Jews were observed being carried into the Jewish Quarter. As a result of this information, a search was instituted, and during the operation the Tachemoni School, a Jewish Orthodox School, was searched. Inside was one dead Jew, and one wounded Jew. Both had bullet wounds. There is little doubt that both had been involved in the attack on the King David Hotel, as equipment found in the room in which they were discovered was sufficient to incriminate them. The dead man was identified as a Jew who had previously been arrested by the police for complicity in a terrorist crime, and had subsequently been released under Police supervision. He was known to be an expert on explosives.
WO 261/562

23 JULY 1946
At 0430 hours 23 July, 8 and 9 Para Bns and 3 Para Bde Tac HW moved into Jerusalem where they carried out searches of the Jewish quarter of the Old City and of the Yemen Mosche Quarter and an area North of the Italian Hospital, assisted by a composite Bn from 3 1 Inf Bde. These searches were completed by 1515 hours. At 0920 hours, 1 dead Jew and 1 wounded man admitted having driven one of the vehicles used in the attack but claimed he was an Arab and was forced to do it. Since his name was Itzak Sadok, it is considered likely that he is a Palestinian Jew. 470 other Jews, 12 1 Armenians and Arabs were interrogated by the police and released while 43 are detained and evacuated to 5 1 MP-DB for further interrogating.
WO 275/58

24 JULY 1946
Three tonner No. 4679446 (48 Coy RASC) stolen in Jaffa evening of 24 July.
WO 275/58

AUGUST 1946
At 2130 hours on 5 August 1946, a military motorcyclist was thrown from his vehicle by 20130 large stones placed across the road near Michmar Hash Sharon settlement (MR 14141958 Sheet 6). He hadnoticedanumber of Jewish youths outside the colony earlier in the day, and they had shouted abuse at him as he passed. Palestine Police Beit Lid have been informed.

An Airborne Medical Officer riding a motorcycle was forced into a ditch near Beit Dajan by a Jewish driven truck.
WO 275/58

10 AUGUST 1946
At 1235 hours on 10 August, 1946, near Yazurvillage (MR 13171589 Sheet 9) the Area Hirings Officer, travelling in a 15 cwt truck, was forced on to the verge of the road by a Jewish driven truck, and only the skill and presence of mind of his driver prevented a serious accident. The road was clear of other traffic at the time.

3 FS Section 1 Infantry Division have reported similar incidents in North Palestine.
WO 275/58

11 AUGUST 1946
At about 0930 hours on 11 August an ambulance drew up outside the Government Hospital, Jaffa. 5 Jews dressed as hospital orderlies got out and entered. As they passed the TAC on duty they disarmed him. On seeing this, another TAC opened fire causing one Jew to fall and another to show signs of being hit.

The attackers then made off in a taxi after throwing two gelignite bombs, of which one exploded but caused no damage. There were no casualties to TAC, and the Jews left nobody behind.

It is thought that their abortive attack was carried out with the object of liberating terrorists who were until recently held in the prison ward.

As usual, on such occasions, transport for the raid had been arranged by stealing a taxi and holding the driver. In this case, the vehicle was later returned.
WO 275/58

12 AUGUST 1946
The robbery described below is of the type carried out by one of the illegal organizations, to gain funds. At about 0900 hours 12 August, Moshe Branstatter was robbed of diamonds valued at LP 17,000. While returning to his top-floor office, he was attacked by two youths. They took his bag of jewels, threw them to three other youths in the street, and all five then escaped. No arms or transport were used.
WO 275/58

18 AUGUST 1946
At about 2200 hours an explosion occurred in a flour mill belonging to Mr. Schechter, near Citrus House, in Tel Aviv. Mr. Schechter is believed to have been approached last week by a man demanding a LP 1,200 contribution to Stern Group funds. He refused, and was warned that eventually it would cost him double. Shortly before the attack, an Arab had reported to the police that a party of armed youths were assembled in a vehicle in King George Street. A police patrol investigated, and although the youths had gone, some 30 rounds of .22 ammunition were found. This was probably the covering party for the men who actually placed the explosives.
WO 275/58

2 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 0930 hours 2 September, 1946, diamonds valued at LP 20,000 were stolen from a table in an office in King George Street, Tel Aviv, while the owner was away having his breakfast.
WO 275/58

8 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 1130 hours on 8 September, two men dressed in khaki shirts and shorts arrived at a railway bridge at 14672483 near Hiat Gaiim, and placed a sack underneath it. Shortly afterwards there was an explosion which, however, did no damage. Police who arrived on the scene discovered another sack of explosive under another culvert nearby, which they removed. About an hour later 3 Jews dressed as Arabs entered the signal box at the Shell Bridge 15222448 and held up the signalman. Charges were placed in the box, and the subsequent explosion wrecked the building, killing an Arab child nearby. Further explosions took place at the level crossing at 15542455 where the oil pipeline was damaged, and againnear the Shell bridge.
WO 261/562

8/9 SEPTEMBER 1946
During the night 819 September, numerous small explosions took place throughout Palestine, all directed against the railway system. On the Haifa-Assir railway, a number of charges were laid but only one caused any damage. At Battir 163126, a goods train travelling towards Jerusalem was stopped by an explosion about 100 yards in front of the train. The crew and escort took to the hills and returned the fire of the attackers. Eleven bombs were found to have exploded on that stretch of line, while a further ten bombs failed to explode. A party of the attackers was intercepted while returning to Jerusalem, by a military patrol, and fire was exchanged. The attackers made off after one of them had been wounded.

Near Qalquilya Railway Station 14619, six bombs exploded, cutting the line in two places, while a further seven failed to explode. Explosions also took place on the Jaffa- Lydda line, causing damage to a culvert and to the line. South of Lydda the line was cut near Rehovoth and more unexploded bombs were found. Later in the morning, at about 01 30 hours, sixteen charges exploded between Ras El Ain and Kafr Jinnis, doing no damage. At 0320 hours nineteen bombs exploded near Hadera, doing little damage, while a further fourteen failed to explode.

At 0815 hours on 9 September, British Sergeant Martin of the Political Section of the Haifa C.I.D. left his house in Garden Street, Haifa. A Buick car drew up behind him and two Jews got out, the driver remaining at the wheel. The two Jews then fired seven shots at Martin, five of which hit him in the back. His assailants then made good their escape in the car, which bore false number plates. British Sergeant Martin died two hours later in the Government Hospital.
WO 261/562

9/10 SEPTEMBER 1946
At approximately 2010 hours on 9 September, a taxi containing four Jews dressed as soldiers stopped outside the Food Control Office near the Jaffa-Tel Aviv border. They approached the T.A.C. guard and fired several bursts, killing him. A second taxi then drew up, and four men got out. The taxis drove off. Major Doran, Area Security Officer Jaffa, engaged them from the balcony of the house, and was wounded in the shoulder. DSP Cohen, who arrived on the scene to investigate the shooting was also wounded in the shoulder. Some of the terrorists then entered the house of the ASO, which also housed his office and records, and placed charges in position. A large explosion took place almost immediately, and a greater part of the house was demolished. Major Doran died later as the result of multiple injuries, while his wife was seriously injured and another officer was slightly injured.

As a diversion, a bomb was exploded on the railway bridge at 12801630, causing no damage, while scare bombs were thrown near level crossings in Tel Aviv. The terrorists succeeded in escaping without loss. Searches were made on 10 September in the Volovolsky Quarter of Tel Aviv, and in Ramat Gan, as a result of which 103 males were detained. A small Irgun cache was found in Ramat Gan, containing some pamphlets and a duplicating machine, and one Sten gun.

On the same night, elsewhere in Palestine, several attempts were made to cut military telephone communications between Haifa and Tel Aviv. The line was cut twice in the Hadera area by charges inserted into manholes. The overhead telephone wires and the underground cables were also cut at 1402 17 19 by means of landmines. The roads in the area were mined at several points, and one officer and three ORs were injured while attempting to neutralize the charges. In the area of the 6 Airborne Division Training School at Petah Tiqva, a jeep encountered automatic fire near some mines in the roadway, and one sergeant was fatally wounded.
WO 261/562

9/10 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 2300 hours 9 September 1946, while at 6 A.D.T.C. Petah Tiqva, I received a signal from 127 Para Fd Amb instructing me to proceed to 2 Para Bde HQ by midnight. I confirmed this with 2 Para Bde HQ and was leaving at 23 15 hours when a further signal was received postponing arrival at 2 Bde to 0030 hours 10 September.

While checking out at Guardroom Petah Tiqva at 2330 hours, I noticed tracer bullets coming from direction of main road Lydda-Haifa. I warned guard to take cover. The alarm was sounded and an armed patrol left the camp. At midnight I left Petah Tiqva 6 A.D.T.C. in my staff car and at junction of road from camp, with Lydda-Haifa road, picked up a jeep detailed by Lt Hughes 2 Para Bn to escort me in direction of Lydda.

The jeep went ahead. After proceeding 1/2 to 3/4 mile I saw a jeep parked facing us about 200 yards ahead, with lights out, and our headlights picked up two shining objects in the road about 100 yards ahead.

We slowed down and in doing so overtook the escort jeep. There was a burst of automatic SA fire from near the parked jeep, followed by another burst a few yards from the road to the right.

During the second burst which occurred at approximately 0005 hours 10 September No 6854402 Sgt Lambert En of 7 Para Bn, in the escort was fatally wounded in the head.

I was standing through the roof of the staff car armed with a sten, at the time of the shooting. The floor of the car had been covered with sand bags before leaving 6 A.D.T.C. Captain (QM) J Webster RAMC 127 Para Fd Amb, was with me in the car.

We dismounted, and went back to attend to the wounded Sgt.

Another Sgt came towards us from the jeep ahead passing the mines on his way. He was 1525 1939 S/Sgt Arnold C who was returning to 6 A.D.T.C. and he stated he had fired directly across the road, and not in our direction.

I then ordered the staff car and jeep to turn around and return to 6 A.D.T.C. We placed the wounded man on the sand bags in the back of the car.

We had proceeded about 1/4 mile when there was another burst of automatic fire including tracer from the road to the West.

One bullet struck the back of my car.

I returned the fire from my Sten and the jeep ahead also opened fire.

We returned to 6 A.D.T.C. and I found Sgt Lambert was dying.

I attempted to signal 2 Bde HQ and 6 Division HQ but the telephone operator could not get through Central Exchange. Message was then sent by wireless.

At approximately 0145 hours 10 September 1946 Sgt Lambert died having been unconscious from the moment he was hit.
WO 275/42

10 SEPTEMBER 1946
At about 0330 hours 10 September, 1946, a detachment of 482 (RB ) Ind Fd Coy RIE, acting on Police information, went to the main Haifa-Tel Aviv road near Kefar Vitkin (141 197) to clear mines. The OC Coy and 1 Indian OR were slightly injured in an explosion.
WO 275/58

13 SEPTEMBER 1946
At approximately 1130 hours on Friday 13 September, simultaneous attacks were made on the Ottoman Banks in Jaffa and Tel Aviv. At Jaffa, a covering party opened heavy fire on the Central Police Station, and at the same time some eight men dressed in tarbushes and carrying revolvers entered the bank and, holding up the occupants, removed all the available money. Attempts to find the keys of the safe proved unsuccessful, and they left after shooting the Manager in the leg. Outside, the police had succeeded in getting the upper hand, although one Arab T.A.C. was fatally wounded. As a result of operations outside the bank and in the vicinity, most of the stolen money was recovered, and some eleven 1 suspected attackers, all wounded, were arrested. Five are confirmed as members of the Stern gang. During the shooting, eight Arab bystanders were wounded and one was killed.

In Tel Aviv, 10 armed men entered the bank and held up those inside. Collecting all the ready money, they made their getaway without any opposition from the civilian population. None of this money or the attackers have yet been found. As a result of these incidents, curfew was imposed on a part of Tel Aviv and on Ramat Gan, searches were made, and 27 males were detained.
WO 261/562

19 SEPTEMBER 1946
During 19 September, 1946, in Tel Aviv, four vehicles were stolen, one of which was later abandoned, having been used in a diamond robbery on the same day. Six armed Jews entered 3 1 Rothschild BVD and stole diamonds valued at LP 2,000.
WO 275/58

20 SEPTEMBER 1946
In spite of seething political activity, Palestine has been comparatively quiet during the last two weeks. Only two small incidents have broken the unusual and uneasy peace. On 20 September the Irgun placed a 50 gallon drum of explosive in the Entrance Hall of Haifa East Railway Station. The drum was carefully marked in the three official languages with warning signs and an Arab was told by the Jews who placed the drum in position to clear the station. Just over an hour after the bomb had been planted, while a party of sappers were preparing to move it, a hissing noise was heard and a heavy explosion took place five seconds afterwards. There were no casualties although considerable damage was done to the station and surrounding houses. The line was not damaged.
WO 261/647

22 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 1030 a.m. on 22 September, Joseph Berger was assaulted by an unknown person and robbed of a brief case containing LP 700 worth of diamonds, in Allenby Road, Tel Aviv

Comment: Probably a Stern or Irgun affair, to replenish their notoriously empty funds.
WO 275/58

23 SEPTEMBER 1946
On 23 September, an attack was made on an oil train travelling South from Haifa near Hadera. Charges were detonated underneath the train which was partially derailed. None of the crew was hurt. The attackers were unusually numerous, some 40 being reported as having taken part, though this may be exaggeration on the part of the train crew. A number of ineffective charges were placed under the oil trucks causing no damage.
WO 261/647

27 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 11 15 hours 27 September an Arab bus was stoned by a mob of about 400 Jews in Jaffa. No casualties resulted, and only slight damage to the bus.
WO 261/658

27 SEPTEMBER 1946
On 27 September 1946 it was reliably reported that the Stern Group had adopted a policy of assassination, confining its attention to "less important" victims, with particular reference to British CID men.
WO 261/658

27 SEPTEMBER 1946
In the evening of 27 September, information was received that a charge of considerable size and remotely controlled had been placed in Haifa harbour. The intention was apparently to explode it beneath one of HM ships. Widespread searches were made in the harbour throughout 28 September, especially for any sign of a connecting wire. On 29 September at 1600 hours, a broken electric cable was discovered on the oil jetty. This was followed and was found to be connected to acanister of explosive weighing 40 lbs. The canister was fixed to an ingenious contrivance consisting of an extending arm clamped to a pile and kept in extended position by springs. This would hold the charge firmly against the side of any ship which was refuelling at the jetty. HM Destroyers had recently used the jetty.
WO 261/562

30 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 10 p.m. on 30th September, a military jeep struck a small mine on the Haifa-Tel Aviv Road. It did not stop, automatic fire was opened on the jeep from the side of the road. An A.T.S. corporal received a minor flesh wound in the leg from a ricochet. Later the same night, a British Warrent Officer was fired on whilst riding a motorcycle on the same road and was fatally wounded. He is believed to have been shot by automatic fire from a car which drew up alongside.
PO 371152560

30 SEPTEMBER 1946
At 2200 hours a jeep retuming from Nathanya to Tel Litwinsky was fired on by 2 automatics at MR 1392 1794 near Gan Hayim on the Haifa-Lydda road. A ricochet from the dash board inflicted a flesh injury on the leg of Corporal Evans, ATS, who was occupying the front seat. In spite of a burst tire on the near side front wheel, the jeep went on for five miles before stopping to examine the damage. An examination of the spot, the next day, revealed 21 expended 9mm rounds, an exploded "Molotov Cocktail" and tracks of 6 people which led to the roadside, indicating that a vehicle had been used for escaping.

At about 2345 hours QMSI Lehman of HQ 1 Para Bde was retuming from Lydda to Nathanya on his MC. At road juncZionist Terrorism and Crimes in Palestine 1946 107 tion MR 1405 1677 he encountered a "Mines" notice, and on pulling up was attacked with automatic fire from a car which drew level with him. He was wounded in the chest, stomach and legs, and in spite of an operation the following morning, died in the Hadassah Hospital, Tel Aviv, at 1830 hours. The "Mines" on the road were dummies.
WO 261/656

1 OCTOBER 1946
At 0300 hours 1 October an explosion occurred outside the house of a Mrs. Furor, aged 60 years, of Sheariyem Qtr Rehovot. No damage was done. A report states that Mrs. Furor received a letter purporting to come from NMO demanding LP 300 under threat of personal injury and a larger bomb if she reported the matter to the Police, or any other person.
WO 261/658

1 OCTOBER 1946
Approximately 20 rounds were fired by what was estimated to be 2 automatic weapons, at a jeep returning from Nathanya to Tel Aitvinsky. The jeep contained one Sgt., one Corporal and two A.T.S. girls. One of the A.T.S. girls was injured in the back with a bullet that ricocheted off the dash board. Another bullet burst the near side front tire.
WO 261/647

4 OCTOBER 1946
Between 1800 and 1830 hours 4 October 1946, LP 800 worth of diamonds were stolen from the house of Rozael Adler, 9 Hakongress Street, Tel Aviv.
WO 261/658

6 OCTOBER 1946
At 1930 hours on 6 October 1946 two airmen were shot in the street of the Prophets, Jerusalem. One died and the other is seriously injured. It seems likely that this murder was committed by Stern Group, although they have not, as is their usual custom, claimed responsibility for the act in pamphlets.
WO 261/658

6 OCTOBER 1946
At 2330 hours 6 October 1946 an Arab was stabbed in the back by Jewish youths on theTel Aviv sea front. This incident is typical of many which have occurred since Tel Aviv was placed out of bounds to troops, thus causing the gangs of young Jewish thugs to turn their attention to victims other than isolated British troops.
WO 261/658

7 OCTOBER 1946
At 1930 hours in Street of the Prophets, Jerusalem, two RAF OR shot in back from side street. I RAF OR killed, 1 RAF OR seriously wounded.
WO 261/564

8 OCTOBER 1946
Widespread road and rail mining operations were carried out yesterday by Jewish terrorists. The first incident occurred at 3 in the afternoon, when a small bomb exploded approximately 30 miles south of Haifa on the Haifa-Kantara main line as a troop train passed over the spot. Examination revealed that the smaller bomb was in reality a detonation charge for a large bomb which had failed to explode. The troop train and railway track were undamaged and the train was able to proceed.

In the Jerusalem area, the road to Government House was mined during the evening. The mines were cleared without casualties or damage. Three land mines were also laid in the Sheikh Jana quarter on the Mount Scopus Road. One of these exploded injuring an Arab civilian, who was able to return home after hospital treatment.

At Kilo 4 on the Jerusalem-Jaffa road, a British Army 15 cwt. truck was blown up by a prepared charge of considerable size electrically detonated. The truck overturned and caught fire. Of the five occupants, two British other ranks were killed, while one Lt. Col. and two other ranks were severely wounded. Whilst searching in the vicinity, a police patrol made contact with an armed gang and shots were exchanged. There were no casualties inflicted upon the police. Some ofthe attackers were seen to enter the Jewish Settlement of Givat Shaul.

Mines were also laid during the evening between Jaffa and Beit Dajam, where a civilian car was damaged and its Arab occupant injured. Between Petah Tiqva and Wilhelma and between Tel Aviv and Petah Tiqva, further mines were found. A British army patrol in the Nathanya area found some 7 road mines to the east of the Khirbst-Beit Lid crossroads. While removing these, the N.C.O. in charge of the patrol was injured.
FO 371/52560

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