over our heads. At least we could have a reasonable sleep before this tremendous attack.
Battalion camp
Operation called off
We got out of the buses at Gan-Yavne. In a large field all participat-ing forces were assembled for tonight’s attack on the enemy rear: companies one and two, the support company of our battalion as well as an additional company under the command of Josh.
At the last moment the appearance of Dov Feit and Ephraim Makovsky was like a miracle. These two squad leaders had fought with us in Deir Muheisin and were now training recruits in another unit. Their people were not yet ready for combat, and so they had lit-erally fled. Deserters of a special kind - leaving their unit to take part in action. They could expect to be punished on their return. Is there another army in the world with such soldiers?
* * *
In the field the special atmosphere before battle. Comrades squat on the ground. Some are cleaning their weapons. Contact between those from different units, getting to know each other.
At the last moment I am again appointed radio operator. I test the new radio apparatus and try to make contact with other operators, when silence falls.
Abba Kovner speaks. He came to us directly from the partisans in Russia and is the information officer of the brigade. It is the first time that someone from Brigade HQ has spoken directly to us. This under-lines the importance of the upcoming operation more than anything else. The special mood is also reflected in the faces of the soldiers squatting on the ground.
Abba Kovner explains the operation. Tonight the whole brigade will be in action, together with other units of the Negev Brigade of the Palmach and a battalion of the Irgun. The Palmach units will attack the village of Isdud from the south and the Irgun will engage the Egyptians from the east. At the same time we will approach the Egyptian armored units from their rear, from the direction of the sea. Our four companies will attack the enemy directly and destroy them