יומנים > יומן - מלא 26/12/1948

Sunday, December 26, 1948

In the afternoon I returned to Tel Aviv. The weather is fantastic.

       - As instructed, [the following] were assembled in Faluja[:] 8 6" mortars and 8 120 mm mortars, 4 75 mm. C. [cannons], 1 - 105 mm, 1 - 50 mm (anti-tank), 4 - 65 mm - total 10 C. in addition to 16 mortars. Yesterday (why only yesterday?) shelling began. All the weapons in the hands of Brigade 3 [Alexandroni] are also being used. Faluja was also bombed from the air 3 times.

       The Air Force bombed Faluja, ''Auja, El-''Arish, Rafiah, Bir-''Isluj. One "Hammer" [Flying Fortress] was slightly damaged and repaired that day. Of the "Spits" [Spitfires] that arrived [from abroad] so far only one has been mobilized.

       Enemy planes appeared - Egyptian or Iraqi. They intended to strike our four airfields - they appeared above [Kefar]-Sirkin, Ramat David, ''Akir [''Ekron]. They were greeted appropriately.

       Battalion 13's losses [at stronghold 86]: 13 killed, 10 missing, 35 wounded, lost many weapons; the battalion received weapons and clothing - tomorrow it will be ready for action.

       The Negev Brigade mobilized last night. Today it was reported that the brigade had fulfilled its mission. There are no additional details yet. In the Operations Department they're assuming that Bir-''Isluj and the surrounding strongholds are in our hands, but there's no confirmation of this. They've arrived opposite Musheirifa [sp.] (?) [Mitzpe Shivta].

       The armored unit from Brigade 8 and an infantry battalion from Brigade 10 [Harel] mobilized this morning. A brief message from Brigade 8 states that they reached the road east of ''Auja. Our forces are in the vicinity of ''Auja.

       The Golani Brigade (1) is harassing the enemy along the line from Nirim up to north of Kefar Darom [which was under Egyptian control].

       The Navy is still active. They shelled Gaza and Rafiah from the sea. Patrolled up to Port Sa'id, took a fishing boat captive.

       The enemy is defending itself in the air, [remaining] only above its own airbases: El-''Arish and Rafiah. Other than that there's no significant enemy aerial activity.

       Yesterday it was reported that Mishmar HaEmek was bombed. 3 children were killed and five were wounded.

       Two days ago we were informed that the airfield in Gaza is entirely out of use.

       There's a major oil shortage in Faluja. They were going to send a convoy of camels with oil to the "pocket" on December 25, 1948.

       The Egyptians in Gaza are urgently demanding experts to dismantle unexploded Navy shells.

       On Wednesday [December 22] our Air Force bombed Rafiah and El-''Arish, on the 24th (Friday) Khan Yunis, Gaza, Deir [al-]Balah, Faluja (on Thursday).

       The Egyptians in Gaza have many A.A. [anti-aircraft] cannons that make use of spotlights in an effective way (I saw them on Friday evening [December 24]). Around El-''Arish there are about 20 A.A. cannons. No enemy warships were spotted.

       Tomorrow 10 airplanes are due to leave Prague - bought by the Egyptians.

       The Egyptians (it was reported yesterday) are concentrating armored and infantry forces in the western sector. After our withdrawal from stronghold 86, self-confidence increased among the Egyptians. Yesterday morning the enemy bombed Beit Jubrin. No damage was done. On December 24 bombs were dropped in the vicinity of Allenby Bridge by planes whose identity is not known. It appears to be an act of provocation by the Egyptians.

       - In the afternoon government meeting. After my update on the front, [Abba] Eban gave a report on the UN.

       - In the evening the opening of the Maccabi Congress - a "movement" of startling vacuousness.

       - Today 6 more "Spits" arrived.