Anonymous Soldiers

by Bruce Hoffman

  35. Extract, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, July 18, 1946, NA, KV 5/36; Isham to Oldfield, telegram, Sept. 2, 1946, NA, KV 5/37; H. L. Brown to Lieutenant Colonel the Hon. G. Eyres Monsell, letter, Sept. 7, 1946, NA, KV 5/37; Cesarani (2009), 45.

  36. Cesarani (2009), 45; Samuel Katz (1968), 102; Bethell (1979), 191.

  37. Sir Noel Charles (ambassador, Rome) to Bevin, telegram, Dec. 28, 1946, NA, CO 537/2295; Charles to Bevin, letter, Jan. 14, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; Tavin (1986), 20–21; Samuel Katz (1968), 102; Cesarani (2009), 45.

  38. Niv (1975), 5:56, 213; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 17, Nov. 8, 1946, NA, WO 261/656; “The Signal from Rome,” Voice of Fighting Zion (n.d.), K-4 3/15, JI; Times, Nov. 5, 1946.

  39. John O’Sullivan, Destruction of British Embassy, Rome by Jewish Terrorists, Nov. 1, 1946, Nov. 20, 1946, O’Sullivan Papers; Tavin (1986), 20–21; Times, Oct. 31, 1946; Palestine Post, Nov. 1, 1946; Cesarani (2009), 46; Niv (1975), 5:213–14.

  40. “Signal from Rome”; Foreign Office to Bevin, telegram, Nov. 4, 1946, NA, FO 800/486 Pa/46/112; Palestine Post, Nov. 8, 1946.

  41. O’Sullivan, Destruction of British Embassy; Charles to Bevin, telegram, Dec. 28, 1946, NA, CO 537/2295; aide-mémoire, Rome, Jan. 4, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; Begin (1977a), 131–32; Samuel Katz (1968), 103.

  42. O’Sullivan, Destruction of British Embassy; Charles to Bevin, telegram, Dec. 28, 1946; Palestine Post, Nov. 5, 1946; Cesarani (2009), 48; Samuel Katz (1968), 105; Johan J. Smertenko to Creech Jones, letter, Dec. 24, 194, NA, CO 537/2295.

  43. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Dec. 28, 1946, NA, FO 371/67796; Palestine Post, Nov. 20, 1946; Charles to Bevin, telegrams, Dec. 28 and 29, 1946, NA, CO 537/2295; Rome to Foreign Office, telegram, Dec. 19, 1946, NA, FO 371/67796; Charles to Bevin, telegram, Jan. 4, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; E. Iredell, minute, Jan. 23, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; British Embassy, Rome, to Eastern Department, Foreign Office, letter, Oct. 22, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; Begin (1977a), 131–32; Cesarani (2009), 48; Samuel Katz (1968), 106.

  44. Western Department to Chancery, British Embassy, Rome, letter, March 3, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; British Embassy, Rome, to Eastern Department, Foreign Office, letter, Oct. 22, 1947; O’Sullivan, Destruction of British Embassy; Cesarani (2009), 48; Charles to Bevin, telegram, Jan. 14, 1947, NA, FO 371/67796; E. M. Fitzgerald (CO), minute, Jan. 14, 1947, NA, CO 537/2295.

  45. Rymer-Jones to Cunningham, letter, Dec. 13, 1946, Cunningham Papers, VI/4; Andrew (2009), 355; Burt (1959), 126; Attlee to Bevin, telegram, Nov. 4, 1946, NA, FO 800/486 Pa/46/111; Dixon to Consul General, minute, New York, Nov. 5, 1946, NA, FO 800/486 Pa/46/111; Morgan (1984), 396; Harris (1982), 396.

  46. Burt (1959), 126; J. C. Robertson to Telfer Smollett, letter, Nov. 9, 1946, NA, KV 5/38; Robertson to Young, telegram, Nov. 13, 1946, NA, KV 5/38; Cesarani (2009), 49; Niv (1975), 5:54. In his memoirs, Montgomery describes the incident but incorrectly attributes the threat to Lehi. Montgomery (1958), 422–23.

  47. Niv (1975), 5:54; Evening News, Nov. 11, 1946; Times, Nov. 12, 1946; Palestine Post, Nov. 11 and 13, 1946.

  48. Rymer-Jones to Cunningham, letter, Dec. 13, 1946, Cunningham Papers, VI/4; Cesarani (2009), 49; Times, Nov. 14, 1946; Andrew (2009), 357–58; Palestine Post, Nov. 12, 1946.

  49. Major R. Thistlewaite to SIME GHQ, MELF, letter, Nov. 5, 1946, NA, KV 5/38; O’Sullivan to Oldfield, letter, Dec. 16, 1946, NA, KV 5/38; Andrew (2009), 352.

  50. Montgomery to Dempsey, personal directive, June 27, 1946, NA 216/194; Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Sept. 27, 1946, NA 216/194; Charters (1989), 185–86, 196.

  51. Attack on Jerusalem Railway Station by the Irgun Zvai Leumi, Nov. 1, 1946, O’Sullivan Papers; Bethell (1979), 289; security minutes, Nov. 1946, Cunningham Papers, IV/1; PICME Intelligence Summary 68, Nov. 1, 1946, NA, WO 261/769; Times, Nov. 1, 1946.

  52. Michael J. Cohen (1982), 159; Times, Nov. 1, 1946.

  53. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Oct. 22, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3; Cunningham to Hall, telegram, Sept. 27, 1946, NA, CO 537/2287; Palestine Post, Oct. 23 and 24 and Nov. 6, 1946; Creech Jones to Cunningham, telegram, Oct. 24, 1946, NA, FO 371/52650; Cunningham to Hall, telegrams, Sept. 20, 25, and 27, 1946, NA, FO 371/52650; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegrams, Sept. 25 and 27, 1946, NA, CO 537/2287; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Oct. 21, 1946, NA, CAB 127/280; Dugdale (1973), 240–41; Michael J. Cohen (1982), 160; Times, Oct. 23 and 30, 1946; Trevor (1948), 272; Sager (1985), 4–5; CP (46) 414, Nov. 1, 1946, NA, CAB 129/14; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 16, Nov. 1, 1946, NA, WO 261/656; James Pollack, District Commissioner Offices, Jerusalem, Fortnightly Report, Oct. 16–31, NA, CO 537/1707.

  54. CM (46) 94, Nov. 4, 1946, NA, CAB 128/6; Creech Jones to Cunningham, telegrams, Oct. 28 and Nov. 1, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 16; CM (46) 414, Nov. 1, 1946, NA, CAB 128/6.

  55. Army Council CP (46) 414 ACSB/2199, Nov. 4, 1946, NA, WO 32/10260; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 17, Nov. 8, 1946, NA, WO 275/58.

  56. Memorandum on the Historical Background to the Present Position in Regard to Jewish Immigration into Palestine, Nov. 8, 1946, NA, FO 371/52636.

  57. Hall to Cunningham, telegram, Oct. 3, 1946, NA, CO 537/2287; CM (46) 94, Nov. 4, 1946, NA, CAB 128/6; Palestine Press Review, Sept. 13 and 15, 1946, NA, WO 275/108; H. L. Brown (MI5) to Trafford Smith, letter, Sept. 19, 1946, NA, KV 5/33; Cunningham to Hall, telegram, Oct. 2, 1946, NA, CO 537/1708; Monthly Report, Oct. 2, 1946, NA, CO 537/1708; PICME Intelligence Summary 69, Nov. 15, 1946, NA, WO 261/769.

  58. Pollack to Gurney, fortnightly report, Nov. 19, 1946, NA, CO 537/1707; Palestine Press Review, Sept. 13, 1946; HQ Palestine, Fortnightly Intelligence Newsletter, Nov. 9–22, 1946, NA, WO 275/63; Lloyd Phillips to the Reverend A. Phillips, letter, Nov. 5, 1946, Lloyd Phillips Papers, 4/2.

  59. Government of Palestine, Palestine Railways, 13; Jewish Terrorist Outrages Since His Excellency’s Arrival in Palestine; Wilson (1949), 82; Palestine Post, Nov. 7 and 10, and Nov. 8, 1946; Section 7, Dec. 1946, 10.684, CZA.

  60. Cunningham, notes on points raised with Creech Jones, Nov. 14, 1946, NA, CO 537/1822.

  61. Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Nov. 16, 1946, NA, WO 216/194; Jewish Terrorist Outrages Since His Excellency’s Arrival in Palestine; Government of Palestine, Palestine Railways, 12–13; Palestine Post, Nov. 14, 1946.

  62. Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Nov. 16, 1946.

  63. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Nov. 19, 1946, NA, CO 733/456 75156/151A pt. 2; Government of Palestine, Palestine Railways, 13; Jewish Terrorist Outrages Since His Excellency’s Arrival in Palestine; Phillips to the Reverend A. Phillips, Nov. 23, 1946, Lloyd Phillips Papers, 4/2 2; Palestine Post, Nov. 18, 19, and 20, 1946; Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Nov. 19, 1946, NA, WO 216/194.

  64. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Nov. 19, 1946, NA, CO 537/728; Montgomery (1958), 418–19; Montgomery to Dempsey, telegram, Nov. 11, 1946, BLM 211/11, Montgomery Papers; Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Nov. 19, 1946.

  65. Extract from DO 33 (46), Nov. 20, 1946, NA, WO 32/10260; Montgomery Diary, pt. 4, chap. 26, “Palestine—November 28/December 1, 1946,” BLM 177/1, Montgomery Papers; Montgomery (1958), 419; Montgomery to Dempsey, telegram, Nov. 20, 1946, NA, WO 216/194; Creech Jones to Cunningham, telegram, Nov. 21, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3.

  66. Press cutting from Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Daily News Bulletin, Nov. 20, 1946, NA, KV 5/31; Manchester Guardian, Nov. 21, 1946; Montgomery, “Palestine—November 28/December 1, 1946”; Government of Palestine, Palestine Railways, 13; Palestine Post, Nov. 20 and 21, 1946; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Dec. 9, 1946, NA, CO 733/456/75156/151A pt. 2; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Nov. 26, 1946, BLM 211/19, Montgomery Papers; H.E. security minutes, Nov. 20, 1946, Cunningham Papers, IV/1.

  67. Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Nov. 21, 1946, NA, WO 216/194.

  68. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Nov. 23, 1946, NA, CAB 127/280; Cunningham to Creech Jo
nes, telegram, Nov. 26, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3; PICME Intelligence Summary 70, Nov. 29, 1946, NA, WO 261/769.

  69. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Nov. 23, 1946.

  70. Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Nov. 26, 1946; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Dec. 2, 1946, BLM 211/21, Montgomery Papers; Hamilton (1986), 665–66; Montgomery (1958), 419–20.

  71. Barker to Dempsey, telegram, Nov. 21, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3.

  72. Montgomery (1958), 418–21; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Nov. 26, 1946.

  73. Conference held at Government House, Jerusalem, Nov. 29, 1946, signed by Montgomery of Alamein, NA, CAB 127/281.

  74. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Dec. 3, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3; Cunningham, note (n.d.), Cunningham Papers, IV/2; conference held at Government House, Nov. 29, 1946.

  75. Cunningham (1948), 485–86.

  76. Cunningham, “Letter to Daily Telegraph on Publication of Monty’s Book” (n.d.), Cunningham Papers, V/4; Montgomery, “Palestine—November 28/December 1, 1946.”

  77. Ibid.

  CHAPTER 16: BLUNTED BAYONETS

  1. Clark (1978), 243; conference at Colonial Office, Jan. 3, 1947, Montgomery Papers; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Nov. 23, 1946; Cunningham (1948), 486; Hall to Cunningham, telegram, July 26, 1946, NA, CO 537/1697; Cunningham to Hall, telegram, Aug. 1, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/2; Palestine Post, July 31, 1946.

  2. Museum Staff (1995), 24; “Lt. Col. Sir Charles Wickham”; Edward Horne (1982), 561–62, 569–70; Jeffery (1997), 156; Killingray and Anderson (1992), 75; Ryder (1990), 40, 48, 79.

  3. R. J. K. Sinclair (curator, Royal Ulster Constabulary Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland) to the author, July 16, 1996; Sir Charles Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946, NA, CO 537/2269.

  4. Montgomery, “Palestine—November 28/December 1, 1946”; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Dec. 2, 1946, BLM 211/21, Montgomery Papers.

  5. Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Dec. 2, 1946.

  6. Charters (1991), 127; Charters (1979), 57; Edward Horne (1982), 556–57; W. N. Gray, PPF Administrative Report 1946, 1947, NA, CO 814/40.

  7. Hamilton (1981), 305; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Dec. 2, 1946.

  8. W. W. Clark, minute, Nov. 1, 1946, NA, CO 537/1699 75015/59; CP (45) 165, Sept. 10, 1945, NA, CAB 129/2; Edward Horne (1982), 335; Hall to Cunningham, telegram, July 26, 1946; Fergusson (1970), 201–2.

  9. The British section had 2,993 to 2,460 men below its authorized strength. Note on the Palestine Police Force, Dec. 1946, NA, CO 537/2269.

  10. Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946; Pinkerton to State Department, letter, March 29, 1946, RG 226, box 19, file 22, folder 3 GP-50, NARA; Gray, PPF Administrative Report 1946.

  11. Killingray and Anderson (1992), 72–73; Edward Horne (1982), 516–17, 555, 596; McConnel, Situation in Palestine, Jan. 11, 1944; Jeffries (1952), 157; WM 158 (43), Nov. 19, 1943, NA, CAB 65/36; memorandum, Sept. 15, 1944, NA, CO 733/451/750515/55B/44; JICAME Report, March 23, 1944, RG 165, Palestine 2710, box 3025, NARA; JICAME Report, May 10, 1944, RG 165, Palestine 2700, box 3025, NARA; JICAME Report, March 29, 1944, RG 165, Palestine 2700, box 3025, NARA; OSS Report 67284, April 17, 1944, RG 165, Palestine 2700, box 3025, NARA; Pinkerton to State Department, letter, March 29, 1946; note, Jan. 24, 1938, Tegart Papers, II/2; Edward Horne (1982), 236–37; Churchill, memorandum, Nov. 29, 1944, NA, CAB 127/270.

  12. Note on the Palestine Police Force, Dec. 1946; Pinkerton to State Department, letter, March 29, 1946; Edward Horne (1982), 52; Montgomery to Simpson, telegram, Dec. 2, 1946; Montgomery, “Palestine—28 November/1 December 1946”; Montgomery (1958), 420; Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946; Killingray and Anderson (1992), 75; Hamilton (1981), 300–302, 304–5; Hamilton (1986), 666–67; Wilson (1949), 16–17.

  13. Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946; Hamilton (1986), 666–67.

  14. Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946; Gray, PPF Administrative Report 1946; W. W. Clark, minute, June 26, 1947, NA, CO 537/2269; Trevor (1948), 295; HQ Palestine, Jerusalem, picture of the military layout in Palestine and Transjordan, Feb. 1947, RG 65/3588, ISA.

  15. Moffat, Criminal Investigation Department, Dec. 2, 1946, NA, CO 537/2269; Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946.

  16. Moffat, Criminal Investigation Department; Gray, PPF Administrative Report 1946; French (2011), 21–22.

  17. Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946; Moffat, Criminal Investigation Department; Clarke, “A Quarter of My Century: The Author in September 1939,” Clarke Papers; Rymer-Jones to MacPherson, letter, Dec. 21, 1943, NA, WO 208/1702; Trafford Smith, minute of meeting at the Colonial Office between Hall, Trafford Smith, Clark, and Rymer-Jones, Jan. 9, 1946, NA, CO 733/451 75015/55B; Edward Horne (1982), 475; David John Clark (1978), 150; French (2011), 26; Dekel (1959), 15.

  18. Moffat, Criminal Investigation Department; Charters (1991), 127.

  19. Moffat, Criminal Investigation Department; Wickham, report, Dec. 2, 1946.

  20. Police Recruitment, Dec. 31, 1946, NA, CO 537/1697 75015/55B; Palestine Police: Notes for the Information of Candidates for Appointment as British Police Constables (n.d.), Edwards Papers; Palestine Police as a Career, July 8, 1946, Morton Papers, 1/1; IWM, “Palestine Police,” Colonial Film: Moving Images of the British Empire, http://www.colonialfilm.org.uk/node/6717; Clarke, minute, Nov. 1, 1946; Palestine Police—note of Sir George Gater’s discussions with Gray on Nov. 13, 1946, NA, CO 537/1699 75015/59.

  21. Palestine Post, Dec. 4, 1946; Times, Jan. 1, 1947; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Oct. 22, 1946.

  22. Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Dec. 3, 1946, NA, CAB 217/281; Michael J. Cohen (1982), 160; Trevor (1948), 277.

  23. Palestine Post, Dec. 5, 1946; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Dec. 5, 1946, Cunningham Papers, I/3; Dugdale (1973), 242–44; Trevor (1948), 289.

  24. Creech Jones to Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Bromley-Davenport (MP), letter, Dec. 12, 1946, NA, CO 733/456 75156/151A pt. 2; Creech Jones to A. Moyle (MP), letter, Dec. 30, 1946, NA, CO 733/456 75156/151A pt. 2; M. Acton to Creech Jones, letter, Dec. 1, 1946, NA, CO 733/456 75156/151A pt. 2; Debates, House of Commons, vol. 431, c20w, Dec. 2, 1946; Debates, House of Commons, vol. 431, col. 942, Dec. 4, 1946; Garfield (2004), 321; First Battalion, the Royal Ulster, Quarterly Historical Report, Dec. 31, 1946, NA, WO 261/374; First Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Quarterly Historical Report, Dec. 31, 1946, NA, WO 261/383; Eighth Infantry Brigade, Third Infantry Division, Quarterly Historical Report, Dec. 31, 1946, NA, WO 261/383; HQ South Palestine District, Quarterly Historical Report, Dec. 31, 1946, NA, WO 261/647.

  25. Dempsey to Montgomery, telegram, Dec. 17, 1946, NA, WO 216/194; Montgomery to Dempsey, telegram, Dec. 18, 1946, NA, WO 216/194; Beeley, minute, Dec. 31, 1946, NA, FO 371/52571.

  26. Military Procedures, 1945–47, Scale of Punishments (n.d.), Brebber Papers, 2/1; Palestine Post, Dec. 12, 1946; Niv (1975), 5:71; Trevor (1948), 294.

  27. Palestine Press Review, Jan. 9, 1947, CS SF/685/39/397, ISA; Trevor (1948), 294–95; Palestine Post, Jan. 3, 1935, and March 12, 1939; Niv (1975), 5:71.

  28. Begin (1977a), 231–32; Gurion (1950), 107; Niv (1975), 5:73.

  29. Gurion (1950), 106; Palestine Post, Dec. 12 and 18, 1946; Trevor (1948), 294–95; Voice of Fighting Zion, broadcast on Jan. 22, 1947, of poster issued on Dec. 27, 1946, K-4 7/15, JI.

  30. Palestine Post, Dec. 30, 1946; Bethell (1979), 291–92; Gurion (1950), 106–8; Niv (1975), 5:73–76.

  31. Montgomery to Dempsey, telegram, Dec. 29, 1946, NA, WO 216/194; interview with Rabbi Fishman, Jan. 1, 1947, Cunningham Papers, V/1; Ben-Zvi to Gurney, letter, Dec. 27, 1946, CS D/160/40, ISA; Wilson (1949), 87; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Jan. 9, 1947, NA, CO 733/477 7516/151A.

  32. Trevor (1948), 296; Times, Jan. 2, 1947; Grimwood to Trafford-Smith, letter, Jan. 11, 1947, NA, CO 733/477 75156/151A; telegram 1, Jan. 3, 1947, in Tauber (2012), 59–60.

  33. Daily Telegraph, Jan. 2, 3, and 6, 1947; Times, Dec. 31, 1946, and Jan. 3 and 8, 1947.
<
br />   34. Gurney to Creech Jones, telegram, Jan. 10, 1947, NA, CO 537/2289; summary of a statement by Begin, Dec. 20, 1946, NA, WO 275/63; Thistlewaite for Isham to Sir Percy Sillitoe (director general, MI5), letter, Jan. 3, 1947, NA, KV 5/38.

  35. Creech Jones to Gurney, telegram, Jan. 9, 1947, NA, FO 371/61763; Gurney to Creech Jones, telegram, Jan. 11, 1947, NA, FO 371/61763; Palestine Post, Jan. 5, 1947.

  36. Minutes of the 1st (47) Defence Committee Meeting, Jan. 1, 1947, NA, WO 32/10260; Michael J. Cohen (1982), 178, 180, 208, 177–83; Dugdale (1973), 243–45; Bullock (1983), 345; Peter Clarke (2008), 480–82; Vera Weizmann (1967), 212–13; Heller (2003), 156–57; MI6 to Colonial Office, memorandum, Jan. 20, 1947, NA, KV 5/38; Policy of Jewish Terrorists in Palestine forwarded by MI6, Jan. 2, 1947, NA, KV 5/31.

  37. District Commissioner’s Offices, Gaza, Fortnightly Report 189, Dec. 18, 1946, NA, CO 537/1707; District Commissioner’s Offices, Jerusalem, Fortnightly Report, Dec. 19, 1946, NA, CO 537/1707; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 25, Jan. 3, 1947, NA, WO 261/656; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Jan. 3, 1947, Cunningham Papers, I/4; District Commissioner’s Offices, Gaza, Fortnightly Report 187, Nov. 21, 1946, NA, CO 537/1707; PICME Intelligence Summary 70, Nov. 29, 1946, NA, WO 261/769; Secretary-General Arab League to Sir Ronald Campbell (ambassador, Cairo), letter, Dec. 26, 1946, NA, FO 141/1091 101/45846; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 19, Nov. 22, 1946, NA, WO 261/656; District Commissioner’s Offices, Galilee, Fortnightly Report 188, Dec. 7, 1946, NA, CO 537/1707; PICME Intelligence Summary 71, Dec. 13, 1946, NA, WO 261/769; Fayiza Majeed to Cunningham, letter, Dec. 15, 1946, CS D/237/46, ISA; Sami Taha to Gurney, letter, Dec. 1946, CS D/237/46, ISA; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Dec. 24, 1946, NA, CO 537/1728; Cunningham to Creech Jones, telegram, Jan. 2, 1947, NA, FO 371/61761; Gurney to Creech Jones, telegram, Jan. 3, 1947, NA, FO 371/61761; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 21, Dec. 6, 1946, NA, WO 275/58; Sixth Airborne Division, Intelligence Summary 20, Nov. 29, 1946, NA, WO 261/656.