Special Night Squads facts for kids
The Special Night Squads (SNS) was a special military group formed in 1938. It was made up of both British soldiers and Jewish volunteers. This group was created by Captain Orde Wingate in a place called Mandatory Palestine. This was during a time of unrest known as the Arab Revolt (1936-1939).
The main goal of the SNS was to stop attacks by Arab groups. These attacks were happening against British forces and Jewish communities. The unit started with about 100 members. Captain Wingate chose his soldiers carefully. Some famous people like Yigal Allon and Moshe Dayan were part of this group. Wingate trained them to be fast and effective. He also worked with a Jewish defense group called the Haganah. Some of their best fighters joined the SNS.
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How the Special Night Squads Started
Captain Wingate was a British Army intelligence officer. He was based in Jerusalem. He noticed many acts of sabotage and weapon smuggling in northern Palestine. After trying out some ambushes and patrols, he got permission. In March 1938, his commander, Lieutenant-General Archibald Wavell, allowed him to create a joint British-Jewish unit. This unit would work at night to stop the Arab rebels.
At first, the Jewish Agency (a main Jewish organization) was against this idea. So, it was put on hold for a while. But by early June 1938, a new commander, Lieutenant-General Robert Haining, approved Wingate's plan. The Special Night Squads then officially began their operations.
Training and Members
The SNS was known for its tough training. Soldiers learned how to operate effectively in night conditions. They focused on quick attacks and surprise tactics. The goal was to stop rebel activity and protect important areas.
The British 16th Infantry Brigade provided three squads for the SNS. Each squad had twelve men, including officers. These soldiers came from different British regiments.
Jewish volunteers also joined the unit. About 25 Jewish members were first assigned. They were called "supernumerary policemen." All of them were members of the Haganah. Later, 50 more Jewish members joined. The success of the SNS led to similar units being formed. One was created to guard an electric power line. By 1939, other British brigades in Palestine also formed their own night squads. However, these later units did not include Jewish members.
Wingate's Departure
Captain Wingate left the SNS in October 1938 for a break in England. While there, he spoke out against a British report about Palestine. He met with important leaders like Winston Churchill. His commanders were not happy about this. They removed him from command of the SNS in November 1938. He was sent back to his intelligence job.
After Wingate left, Lieutenant Bala Bredin took over the SNS. The unit continued to operate until January 1939. At that time, British policy changed. Jewish members were no longer allowed to take part in offensive operations. They were mostly assigned to guard duties. The Special Night Squads were officially disbanded in September 1939.
The British government eventually saw Wingate as a risk. He was sent out of Palestine. His passport was even stamped, saying he was "NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER PALESTINE." Despite this, the Special Night Squads are seen by some as one of the first special forces units created by the British. Some even consider them a early version of the Special Air Service (SAS).
What the Special Night Squads Did
The main job of the Special Night Squads was to protect the Iraq Petroleum Company pipeline. This pipeline was often attacked by Arab rebels. The squads also raided places where rebels were known to hide. These included villages like Daburiyya and Khirbat Lid.
The unit was very successful. Attacks on the pipeline stopped, and rebel activity in the area decreased. It is believed that the SNS was responsible for about 12.5% of all rebel casualties in 1938. The SNS itself lost only two men during its operations.
For his work with the unit, Wingate received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Three other SNS officers received the Military Cross (MC). Many other soldiers and volunteers also received medals for their bravery.
Criticism of the Squads
Some people criticized the methods used by the Special Night Squads. Israeli historian Yoram Kaniuk wrote that their operations became more frequent and tough. He noted that Arabs complained about Wingate's harsh methods. Even some of his own Jewish soldiers felt he was too aggressive during raids. Wingate believed in using surprise and strong actions to stop the rebels.
Bernard Montgomery, a famous British military leader, was in charge of Northern Palestine at the time. He had approved the SNS. Years later, in 1966, he told Moshe Dayan that he thought Wingate was "mentally unbalanced." He even said that the best thing Wingate did was to die in a plane crash in 1944.
