Jewish Commandos

During World War II, British intelligence officer Orde Wingate proposed raising Jewish commandos to combat Arab guerrillas in Palestine. These Special Night Squads, manned by British officers and Jewish soldiers from the Haganah, carried out missions using torture and execution, influencing the development of special forces.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2020
Publisher: Stackpole Books

In 1936, a significant uprising erupted among the Arab population in Palestine, challenging the British colonial rule that had prevailed in the region for decades. Responding to this challenge, British intelligence officer Orde Wingate came up with a daring and innovative proposal. Wingate envisioned the formation of small units of British-led Jewish commandos, known as Special Night Squads. These squads were designed to combat the Arab guerrillas who were waging a relentless war against the British forces.

By June 1938, Wingate's vision had become a reality. The Special Night Squads were fully operational, with British officers serving as their leaders and Jewish soldiers handpicked from the elite commando arm of the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization in Palestine. These soldiers were chosen for their exceptional skills, bravery, and loyalty to the British cause.

The Special Night Squads operated with a ruthless efficiency that was unmatched in the region. They relied on a combination of advanced military tactics, including ambushes, sabotage, and intelligence gathering, to neutralize their Arab opponents. However, their methods were not limited to conventional warfare. The squads also employed torture and execution as tools to extract information from captured Arab fighters and to instill fear in the hearts of their enemies.

The impact of the Special Night Squads was profound. They not only helped to suppress the Arab uprising but also set the stage for the development of special forces as a military strategy. The tactics and techniques employed by the Special Night Squads were studied and replicated by military forces around the world, leading to the creation of specialized units that were designed to tackle unconventional threats.

One of the most notable achievements of the Special Night Squads was their role in the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF was formed in 1948 as a response to the growing threat of Arab aggression and the need for a unified military force to defend the Jewish state. Many of the Special Night Squads' officers and soldiers went on to play key roles in the formation and training of the IDF, contributing to the development of the military that would become one of the most powerful in the world.

In conclusion, the Special Night Squads were a remarkable chapter in the history of British colonialism and the struggle for independence in Palestine. Their deployment of ruthless tactics, including torture and execution, was controversial and has been criticized by many. However, their impact on the development of special forces and the establishment of Israel cannot be overstated. The Special Night Squads were a symbol of the resilience and determination of the Jewish people in their fight for a homeland, and their legacy continues to inspire and shape the world of modern warfare.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811719124