Jewish Battalion.

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David W
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Jewish Battalion.

#1

Post by David W » 29 Oct 2004, 16:53

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?

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#2

Post by Andy H » 29 Oct 2004, 19:32

Hi David

Yes its true. Use the search function regarding the Jewish Brigade and it should answer all your questions


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David W
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#3

Post by David W » 29 Oct 2004, 20:47

Thanks Andy, just did that. All I could glean was that they trained in Egypt and took part in second Alamein, before going on to greater things after being formally organised in late 1944 as a Brigade.
Any one got any more stuff on their African Exploits?


Thanks; Dave.

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Re: Jewish Battalion.

#4

Post by Gerry Chester » 30 Oct 2004, 06:01

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?
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.

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.

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#5

Post by David W » 31 Oct 2004, 01:21

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

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#6

Post by szopen » 02 Nov 2004, 10:04

BTW, there is again interesting issue: why British were objecting to forming Jewish brigade by Anders (while in USSR) while they were perfectly OK with creating their own?

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#7

Post by Gerry Chester » 02 Nov 2004, 23:13

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.
Correct, in fact they were the nucleus around which the Jewish Brigade was formed.
You also say that they (the N.A ones) were non-combative, this also I did not know.
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.

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

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David W
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#8

Post by David W » 02 Nov 2004, 23:24

Look forward to that Gerry :D

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Gerry Chester
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#9

Post by Gerry Chester » 12 Nov 2004, 18:00

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

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#10

Post by David W » 12 Nov 2004, 19:44

Thanks Gerry,
I will read it later tonight when I have more time.

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#11

Post by Gerry Chester » 02 Dec 2004, 02:11

Hello David,

I have dug out six battle photographs of Jewish Brigade/North Irish Horsein action. Will put them on a page and will let you know when it has been done.

Gerry

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#12

Post by David W » 02 Dec 2004, 10:11

Gerry.

Read the article :)
Look forward to the photos.

Thanks David.

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#13

Post by Gerry Chester » 20 Dec 2004, 05:52

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

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David W
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#14

Post by David W » 20 Dec 2004, 14:28

Thank you Gerry.

May you have a merry Christmas & a peaceful & prosperous New Year.

Dave.

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Re: Jewish Battalion.

#15

Post by David W » 30 Dec 2018, 11:36

A fighting detachment of about Battalion size is mentioned several times as fighting with the Free French at Bir Hakeim.

Is this correct?

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