Gush Etzion Revisited

Background I-III: The Lamed Hey (The 35)

The thirty five soldiers who were killed in an attempt to bring aid to a beleagured Gush Etzion have become legendary heroes in the history of Israel's war of Independence.

Wednesday, January 14, 1948 - forty of the finest soldiers belonging to the Field Corps and to the Palmach were organized under the command of Danny Mass. Their mission was to bring military and medical supplies to Gush Etzion. They set out under cover of darkness from the Bayit Vegan district of Jerusalem and planned to continue southward via Ein Kerem to Ein Tzurim. The total distance of the walk would be approximately twenty kilometers (twelve miles). The men were all carrying heavy packs on their backs, which included first-aid kits and bottles of blood plasma for transfusions, as well as weapons and ammunition for the embattled Gush Etzion. They were forced to proceed very slowly in the terraced terrain of the Juean mountains and after the greater part of the night had passed, they were still far from their objective. Danny Mass had no choice but give the command to return to Jerusalem by the quickest possible route.

Thursday, January 15, 1948 - There was great disappointment among the soldiers upon their failure to reach Gush Etzion. It was agreed that they would make a second attempt the next evening despite their fatigue. They called for the unit to travel in an armored vehicle to the village of Hartuv. At this point, 5 soldeirs returned to Jerusalem (two were unarmed; one had a sprain; two more accompanied them with arms) - and this is the origin of the name, "Lamed Hey" (35). From Hartuv, the soldiers would continue by foot for approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) to Massuot Itzchak.

The unit arrived safely at Hartuv. Il was close to midnight before the final preparations were made. The unit succeded in by-passing a British police station undetectd, and continued on its way through enemy territory toward Gush Etzion.

Friday, January 16, 1948 - The "thirty five" walked on throughout the night. Towards dawn they approached Surif, the last Arab village on the way to Gush Etzion, and only about six kilometers (4 miles) from Massuot Yitschak. It was here that the unit was detected (perhaps by a shepherd) and first shots were fired upon them.

The "thirty five" were deep in the heart of enemy territory without any means to call for outside help. As soon as the battle had begun, Danny Mass undoubtedly realized that his men would not be able to break through to Gush Etzion. They quickly split up into two groups and with one group covering for the other they climbed to the top of what is now known as "Battle Hill", an advantageous defense position. Here they bravely defended themselves that day against the fierce attacks of the enemy. Hundreds of Arabs from the neighboring villages took up positions on the surrounding ridges and began closing in on the "thirty five". Toward evening, the large supply of ammunition which the Jewish fighters had carried in their packs began to wane. The battle endend with the death of the last of the "thirty five". Having exhausted all his ammunition, he died with a rock in his hand.