Jewish Battalion.
Jewish Battalion.
I once read that there was a Jewish infantry Battalion serving with the 8th Army in North Africa. Does anyone know if this was true or not?
- Gerry Chester
- Member
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 24 Jan 2003, 19:39
- Location: Now world traveller, UK, Bali, USA
- Contact:
Re: Jewish Battalion.
While the three battalions of the Palestine Regiment were deployed in non-combatant roles in North Africa, the unit should not be confused with the Jewish Brigade which saw action in Italy.David W wrote:I once read that there was a Jewish infantry Battalion serving with the 8th Army in North Africa. Does anyone know if this was true or not?
For an authorative account:
The Brigade
Author: Howard Blum
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, New York
Copyright: 2001, 326 pp.
The story of the formation of the Jewish Brigade leading up to its going into action in Northern Italy. The support given to the Brigade, by the tanks of North Irish Horse the Regiment in which I served, is documented.
Thanks Gerry.
I had assumed that the Jewish Battalions in North Africa, would have been absorbed into the Brigade at it's formation in late '44.
If I interperate your last posting correctly, then you are saying that this did NOT happen.
You also say that they (the N.A ones) were non-combative, this also I did not know.
Cheers .... Dave
I had assumed that the Jewish Battalions in North Africa, would have been absorbed into the Brigade at it's formation in late '44.
If I interperate your last posting correctly, then you are saying that this did NOT happen.
You also say that they (the N.A ones) were non-combative, this also I did not know.
Cheers .... Dave
- Gerry Chester
- Member
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 24 Jan 2003, 19:39
- Location: Now world traveller, UK, Bali, USA
- Contact:
Correct, in fact they were the nucleus around which the Jewish Brigade was formed.David W wrote:
I had assumed that the Jewish Battalions in North Africa, would have been absorbed into the Brigade at it's formation in late '44.
No official reason for the Regiment being given a non-combative role is apparently available. Popular wisdom is that a repetition of the severe losses inflicted upon the Jewish battalions, sent to Greece in 1941, had to be avoided.You also say that they (the N.A ones) were non-combative, this also I did not know.
David, presently I am engaged in writing a series of articles (based upon war diaries, battle reports and other reliable sources) on units that my Regiment supported in North Africa and Italy. They are being put together in a chronological order, however, due to the interest in this topic I am going to bring the Jewish Brigade next in line. It will be the subject of a follow up posting - Winston Churchill's letters are most interesting.
Regards, Gerry
- Gerry Chester
- Member
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 24 Jan 2003, 19:39
- Location: Now world traveller, UK, Bali, USA
- Contact:
Hello David,
As promised, here's my article on the Jewish Brigade. Hopefully you will find it to be of interest.
http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/Articles ... ade-1.html
Regards,
Gerry
As promised, here's my article on the Jewish Brigade. Hopefully you will find it to be of interest.
http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/Articles ... ade-1.html
Regards,
Gerry
- Gerry Chester
- Member
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 24 Jan 2003, 19:39
- Location: Now world traveller, UK, Bali, USA
- Contact:
- Gerry Chester
- Member
- Posts: 104
- Joined: 24 Jan 2003, 19:39
- Location: Now world traveller, UK, Bali, USA
- Contact:
Hello again David,
Finally I have all the battle photographs of Churchills et cetera loaded. Go to:
http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/Articles/17.html
Click on "Italian Campaign" then on "Supporting the Jewish Brigade."
With best wishes for the holidays to you and yours,
Gerry
Finally I have all the battle photographs of Churchills et cetera loaded. Go to:
http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/Articles/17.html
Click on "Italian Campaign" then on "Supporting the Jewish Brigade."
With best wishes for the holidays to you and yours,
Gerry
Re: Jewish Battalion.
A fighting detachment of about Battalion size is mentioned several times as fighting with the Free French at Bir Hakeim.
Is this correct?
Is this correct?