'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎139r] (284/294)

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The ground striking force for (a) is normally situated at ARZA,
while that for (b) and (c) is JERUSALEM.
25. The A.O.C. wishes Commander, Southern Brigade, to place a ground
striking force at RAMALLAH to deal with the JERUSALEM - L KHAN LUBBAN
section and to link up with the Northern Brigade striking force at
NABLUS.
26. In the case of the JERUSALEM - JERICHO road, the ground although
hilly? is more devoid of cover and lends itself much better to air
action. The chief target which the enemy has chosen up to date on
this road is the Potash Convoy which is accompanied by a W/T vehicle.
At the present moment, air action has had a salutary effect on the band
operating about Kilo 14, but should further and stronger enemy action
develop it may be necessary for the Commanders, Southern Brigade and
JORDAN Area, to organise ground striking forces in their areas.
CONVOYS.
27. The daily convoys from JERUSALEM and KEFR SABA will continue to
run as heretofore with the following modifications.
28. Provision of Escorts
Commanders Northern and Southern Brigades will each provide
escorts within their own boundaries, except that Commander, Northern
Brigade, will assume responsibility for the whole of the KEFR SABA
route. Each escort will provide one courier for Official Mail service.
29. Size and Composition of Escorts
Now that the most dangerous portions of the convoy routes are
picquetted during running hours the chances of attack are considerably
diminished. We can, therefore, reduce the size of the infantry portion
of the escort. In order to ensure complete safety however, and the
’'fixing 1 ' of the enemy should the convoy be strongly attacked, escorts
will be composed as follows.
An armoured car will move at the head and tail of each convoy.
If armoured cars are not available their places should be taken
by trucks, preferably armoured, carrying M.G-s. or L.As.
The second vehicle in the convoy will carry just sufficient
men for the sole duty of removing barricades and road blocks.
OneW/T vehicle v/ill travel in each convoy.
A vehicle carrying a mortar, pom-pom or 3-pdr should, whenever
available, travel 100 - 200 yards in rear of each convoy. The
object of this vehicle is to provide "fixing" fire until the arrival of
air and ground striking forces.
50. Procedure whenattacked
(a) If the enemy fire is slight, i.e. sniping, or distant, the
convoy must not halt, machine guns or light automatics returning
the fire whilst still on the move.
The "XX" call will not be sent out.
(b) If the fire is heavy or close, i.e. there is a chance of
rounding up the armed band, the following procedure will be adopted:-
(i) Vehicles with light automatics, machine guns, mortars,
pom-poms or 3-pdrs., will pull into the side of the road and
then pin the enemy with fire.
(ii) TheW/T lorry will send out the "XX" call.