The Haj - Leon Uris [103]
The kibbutz was manned by a small Haganah unit and, in addition to its rifles, owned a single light machine gun and a single mortar.
Kaukji moved cautiously onto the high ground around Mishmar haEmek with two battalions of troops numbering around twelve hundred men. This time he introduced a new dimension, a dozen field guns. They pounded away and, although their gunners were not accurate, the kibbutz was taking heavy damage and the shell fire was demoralizing. He sent out infantry probes in cautious, disciplined squads. The kibbutz pushed each patrol back. Kaukji then ringed the place and threw hundreds of rounds of artillery into it throughout the night.
By the following morning, the British were compelled to act. They arrived at the kibbutz under a flag of truce and offered to evacuate the wounded, women, and children and negotiate a surrender. The children were taken out, but all the adults remained.
During a second night of barrage, a battalion of the Haganah, which had been training in the area, slipped into the kibbutz. This was followed by the First Palmach Battalion, which had force-marched all night and arrived just before daybreak.
The artillery became quiet with daylight, but the Arabs moved in stealthily from several directions. As they reached the perimeters and regrouped for an assault, they themselves were assaulted.
For the first time, Jews in battalion strength were loaded and ready. They poured out of the kibbutz and stormed at an enemy who was taken by complete surprise. The Arab Army of Liberation plunged into headlong retreat with the Haganah and the Palmach on their heels, not permitting them to break off the action. Kaukji desperately attempted a truce, but there was none to be had. The Irregulars were in full flight. The Jews did not stop chasing them until they reached Megiddo, five miles away. There the Haganah and the Palmach regrouped quickly at the archaeological tel that was the mythical site of the New Testament Armageddon. Beyond Megiddo was a defile called the Wadi Ara, a passageway for invading armies from time immemorial. As the Jews pressed the attack again, Kaukji’s Battalions of the Yarmuk vanished.
COMMUNIQUÉ #56, ARAB ARMY OF LIBERATION, APRIL 14, 1948
Praise Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. This is a day of infamy. Our forces had reduced Mishmar haEmek to rubble. As we made our final assault, we were to learn of an utmost treachery. During the night, British units in regimental strength slipped into the kibbutz disguised as the Haganah. As we reached their outer defenses, artillery fire from over a hundred cannons hurled thousands of shells into our ranks. Eighty hidden tanks, with their British markings painted over, advanced on us. Our courageous warriors stopped the infidels in their tracks, only to be further assaulted by British fighter aircraft and bombers. Outnumbered and outgunned by vast margins, we had no choice but to make an orderly retreat. It was learned by my intelligence that the Zionists had paid a hundred thousand pounds to the British for their participation. Fear not, my brothers, we shall never forget and we shall have our vengeance. One cannot speak too highly of the bravery and dedication of the soldiers of the Arab Army of Liberation who now rest in safety. We shall return in greater numbers and victory will not be far behind.
F. Kaukji, Field Marshal,
Arab Army of Liberation
From this point on, Kaukji sent back bitter communiqués to the Arab capitals, complaining of the lack of support, complaining of massive desertions as his militia dwindled, complaining about the lack of finances to meet his payroll. He limped into the Bab el Wad, where his remnants hooked up with Abdul Kadar’s Jihad Militia. Here, at last, he hoped to be able to find some success against Jewish convoys to Jerusalem.
As the British withdrew from location after location, one side or the other gobbled up their police forts. The Yishuv