'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎15r] (34/294)

18th - 20th June
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On the 18th interest returned yet again to Jaffa: the effect of
the retaliatory shoot on the 30th May now appeared to be wearing off and
the bombings and shootings had been resumed. It was therefore decided
to put into effect Phase 3 of the punitive measures. During the
preceeding forty-eight hours the inhabitants of the Old City had been
warned to evacuate their homes, and at 4 a.m, the 2nd and 42nd Field
Companies, R.E., covered by the 1st Bn. R.S. Fus., forced an entry into
the city. It was found to be entirely deserted and demolition work
was started at once. By nightfall a road ten metres wide had been
driven right through from one side of Jaffa to the other, and the troops
then withdrew. Later, on the 29th and 30th June, the fourth and last
phase of the Jaffa operation was completed when a north and south
circular road was blown through the Old City, again without opposition.
At about the same time a notorious quarter of tin shanties, known as M Iin
Town”, was demolished amid a deafening clatter by the simple process of
driving tanks across it after its occupants, mostly Haurani thugs, had
been deported to their native Syria.
The Jaffa operations put an end forever to the use of the Old City
as a citadel of lawlessness and refuge of fugitives from justice, and
for the remainder of the revolt there was no further trouble from the
citizens of Jaffa. The punitive effect of these demolitions was
largely lost by the civil government’s assertion that they were being
carried out as part of a town planning scheme. An official communique
announced on the 17th that Advantage is being taken of the presence in
Palestine of Royal Engineers” to ’’improve the O l d City of Jaff a” "to
the benefit of that quarter •" This deceived nobody and
discouraged the loyal population - especially as compensation v/as paid
to displaced inhabitants, some of whom had spent the last two months
shooting at troops and police.
By this time the rebellion had accounted for 700 casualties of all
sorts, including 10 British: there had been 1500 convictions in the
courts; 81 Arab leaders had been interned; and collective fines had
been imposed upon 30 villages.
21st - 50th June
With the close of the month of June came the first of the series
of regular engagements between troops and the larger bands, mostly in
the Nablus area, which were to continue throughout the ensuing three months
on an ever increasing scale. The great majority bore the same
characteristics: most of them started with an attack on a convoy and
ended with the arrival of aircraft and reinforcements rushed to the
scene in response to a call from the wireless lorry of the escort.
Where the enemy managed to escape heavy casualties it was usually due
to darkness overtaking the action before the reinforcing aircraft and
troops could strike. There is little or no twilight in Palestine,
and in the summer months darkness falls very suddenly soon after 7 p.m.
The first of the major actions took place near Tulkarm on the
afternoon of Sunday the 21st June, when aircraft and troops inflicted
50$ casualties on a band of between 50 and 60 Arabs. A Royal Scots
Fusilier in the convoy escort was killed and two others wounded, while
the Seaforth striking force lost a Sergeant killed. The action lasted
over four hours. The previous evening the Seaforth Highlanders had
succeeded in rounding up and capturing a small band of snipers in the
hpqq overlooking their camp at Nablus. The following da^ the oheshire
Regiment killed five Arabs who were attacking the railway.