So, during the early 1940s, as the world was engulfed in the flames of World War II, many Jews in British Mandate Palestine felt a powerful urge to contribute to the fight against the Axis powers. Motivated by a mix of reasons—ranging from a deep desire to combat Nazism and protect their homeland to gaining military experience for the future defense of their community—these brave individuals enlisted in the British Army.
Their decision to enlist was profoundly influenced by David Ben Gurion's declaration in 1939: "We will fight the White Paper as if there is no war, and fight the war as if there is no White Paper." The British White Paper of 1939 had severely restricted Jewish immigration to Palestine and land purchases by Jews, a move that was deeply resented by the Jewish community and it was also against the mandate that the British had received from the League Of Nations. Ben Gurion's statement encapsulated a dual commitment: resisting British policies that undermined Jewish aspirations in Palestine while simultaneously supporting the Allied war effort against the Nazis.
Among those Jews who volunteered, some were captured by the Nazis during various campaigns in Europe, particularly in Libya, Greece and Crete in 1941 and early 1942. These soldiers, now prisoners of war, were sent to different POW camps across Nazi-occupied Europe. However most Palestinian Jews were sent to camp Stalag VIII-B, later renamed Stalag-344, located near Lamsdorf, now Łambinowice, Poland. The conditions in this camp were brutal, with severe shortages of food, inadequate shelter, forced labor, and the constant threat of disease.
Despite these hardships, the Jewish POWs made efforts to maintain their morale and cultural identity. They organized religious services, educational activities, and cultural performances whenever possible. However, their situation was particularly dire due to the Nazis' awareness of their Jewish identity, which led to increased brutality and harsher treatment.
Meanwhile, the idea of forming a distinct Jewish military unit within the British Army had been proposed since the early years of the war. Jewish leaders and organizations lobbied persistently, and their efforts finally bore fruit. In September 1944, the British government announced the formation of the Jewish Brigade Group. This unit was composed of volunteers from Palestine and stood as the only independent, national Jewish military formation to serve in World War II. The British demanded that this be comprised of both Arabs and Jews and called it the Palestine Regiment. No Arabs volunteered.
After undergoing rigorous training in Egypt, the Jewish Brigade was deployed to the Italian front in early 1945. There, they participated in several battles, distinguishing themselves through their bravery and skill, contributing significantly to the final defeat of Nazi Germany.
Following the war, members of the Jewish Brigade turned their focus to the rescue and rehabilitation of Holocaust survivors in Europe. They played a crucial role in smuggling Jewish refugees to Palestine, often working against British immigration restrictions. The experience and training these soldiers gained were instrumental in the formation of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which would later become the military backbone of the nascent State of Israel.
The story of these Palestinian Jews in the British Army, their ordeals as POWs, and the eventual creation of the Jewish Brigade is a testament to their bravery, resilience, and unwavering dedication to their people. Their contributions during and after the war left an indelible mark on history and significantly influenced the establishment of the State of Israel. Ben Gurion's call to fight on two fronts—against the White Paper and the Axis powers—served as a guiding principle that bolstered their resolve and shaped their legacy.
Unfortunately today we see how the rise of Islam is not only a threat to the world, but also a threat to exterminate Jews. We are back to the 1930s.
Thank you very much, very interesting article.
ReplyDeleteMr.T