New fighting units were formed from freshly recruited volunteers. From the companies, battalions were formed, from the battalions - brigades. It was an army without means of transport, without aircraft, and without a supporting infrastructure in the rear. There were neither cannons nor tanks. But they were supported by the enthusiasm of the population, in a way that has not often happened in the history of humankind, perhaps only with the troops of the French and later the Russian revolution.
* * *
When I read on 30 November that the first Hebrew bus had been attacked by Arab fighters, I knew what my duty was: to report for service.
In the days leading up to my recruitment I wrote a little pamphlet about the problems of the war. Unlike the troubles of 1936 to 1939 we were now faced with a real, lengthy war with many casualties, which would decide the question of our survival.
I used what money I had left to buy a khaki uniform, a sock hat, and the clothing a soldier needs, and reported at the gate of the training camp. I became a simple soldier of the infantry.
13 February 1948
Training camp
Initiation
They arrive singly, one after the other. Some with a firm step, with the forced smile that is supposed to show self-confidence. They give the guard at the gate their call-up papers as if they are showing a bus ticket. They look at the camp, trying to absorb everything with one glance, dump their luggage on the ground, light a cigarette, and wait for what may happen. But there are others who approach the gate hesitantly, cast a last, longing look at the "civilian" street behind them, and wait like small, nervous children, as though they felt guilty about something.
These two types differ even in their clothing. One kind is dressed like a staff officer, with a uniform bought "outside" - battle dress (as it is also called in Hebrew), and khaki trousers. Their berets are