unaimed fire of the Arabs and our shells raise our morale. Our mood is getting better and better.
People start to joke. Red-haired Joske invites Aryeh to a good Arabic Finjan" in an hour. Someone suggests making a list for those who want a rendezvous with the daughter of the Mukhtar.12
"Target four hundred meters, five rounds - fire!"
I load my rifle and shoot. In the village some figures are running around. The medical orderly begs me to give him my rifle. He wants to have a go at shooting too. I feel light and happy.
"Cease fire!"
The second company is ready for the assault. Some of the faces are very pale. The leaders make jokes. There - they jump over the stone wall. Run. They reach the wadi. We shoot over the roofs. They are making progress. The first have reached the village. The Arabs are still shooting from the village.
We stop shooting. Our people have occupied the edge of the village. They are running from house to house, just the way they learned. I can’t see whether they are taking prisoners. Now it is our turn, to take the center of the village. Our mood reaches its peak.
"Section number one - forwards!"
I jump over the wall. The second platoon jump and throw them-selves on the ground.
"Platoon one - jump! "
I jump, run ten paces and drop to the ground. Bullets whistle over my head. They are not coming from the village. They are coming from the steep hill to the left. The Arabs have occupied the grave of Nebi Musa.13 From there they have a good overview of our assault. There is also firing on the right. A few houses stand there. I can’t see any movement. We jump up again, run a few steps, and throw our-selves on the ground. Between me and Bulli, the deputy company commander, a bullet hits the ground. My God, the Arab snipers know their job. To the left someone shouts something. Is he wounded? I don’t have time to look. I run and throw myself on the ground again. My equipment gets in the way. Doesn’t matter. I have to reach the wadi. There we’ll be able to catch our breath. I run ahead, wait for my comrades to catch up, run forwards again, reach the wadi, and lie on the ground again.