Palestine Regiment
Palestine Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1944 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | 2,800 volunteers |
The Palestine Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army that was formed in 1942.[1] During the Second World War, the regiment was deployed to Egypt and Cyrenaica, but most of their work consisted of guard duty.[2] Some Palestine Regiment members were killed in Benghazi, where they fought heavy battles against the Germans.[3] The Palestine Regiment consisted of Jews and Arabs, conscripted in Mandatory Palestine, until its reformation in 1944. From 1944, the Jewish military subunits of Palestine Regiment became the basis to form the larger Jewish Brigade, which took part in World War II effort of the Allies in Europe.
Background
In 1940, Jews and Arabs living under the British Mandate for Palestine were allowed to form separate companies, known as Palestine Infantry Companies, as part of the Royal East Kent Regiment, known as the "Buffs".[1][2] The establishment of the first Jewish Infantry Company was completed in September 1940, within the framework of the "Buffs" and 14 more Jewish Companies were raised, in which about 5,300 men served. Their mission included security, guarding installations and escorting convoys in Palestine. Their training exercises were extremely limited and they were equipped with First World War-era surplus. The declared intent of the British to recruit an equal number of Jews and Arabs did not occur.[4]
In the fall of 1939, the
Formation and Service
The Palestine Regiment was formed in 1942 with the Palestine Infantry Companies that were attached to the Buffs forming the bulk of the new formation.[1] The regiment was divided into separate Jewish and Arab battalions.[6] According to historian Ashley Jackson the regiment consisted of 1,600 Jews and 1,200 Arabs,[1] but according to writer Howard Blum, Jews outnumbered Arabs by a more than three to one ratio.[4]
The Jewish companies were then formed into three battalions, which became the new Palestine Regiment.[2] Personnel of the Palestine Regiment later formed the core of the Jewish Brigade.[1]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-85285-417-1.
- ^ a b c Frank, Benis M. (July 4, 1997). "The Jewish Company of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps Compared With Other Jewish Diaspora Fighting Units". Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ Kessler, Oren (4 March 2012). "Libyans desecrate British, Italian, Jewish graves". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-06-198084-8.
- JSTOR 2536509.
- ]