Palestine
The 3rd Hussars arrived in Palestine in October 1945 after a year in Lebanon and Syria following service in Italy.
Stationed initially some 12 miles south-east of the Jewish city of Tel Aviv, within four months they became part of the 6th Armoured Division and absorbed some 400 of us on the disbandment of the Division’s Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment and 20th and 22nd Independent Parachute Companies.
A Staghound of 3rd The King’s Own Hussars, Haifa, Palestine, 1947
The task was to keep the peace between Arab and Jew and to limit Jewish immigration from Europe while protecting ourselves against illegal Jewish armed organisations.
From the Autumn of 1947 when the end of the British Mandate was announced and the United Nations agreed to partition, the tempo of operations increased as the Jews attempted to drive us out of “their homeland” while the Arabs strove to retain as much land as was their due.
“Showing the Flag”, curfew patrols, escorting VIPs and command cashiers, and the protection of oil refineries were day-to-day tasks in Staghound armoured cars. Operations with the Palestine Police involved the incessant mounted and dismounted guards.
Early in 1948, the Arab Liberation Army started operations and the long years of battle between Arab and Jews began once more.
For the withdrawal to Egypt in May 1948 the Regiment was the divisional rear guard and so were the last British troops to cross the frontier and return to Germany via Durham.
Campaign Medal
The General Service Medal (GSM) 1918-1962 was awarded to personnel who meet the qualifying criteria for service in any of the following geographical areas:
South Persia, Kurdistan, Iraq, North West Persia, Southern Desert Iraq, Northern Kurdistan, Palestine, South East Asia 1945 to 1946, Palestine 1945 to 1948, Malaya, Cyprus, Near East, Arabian Peninsula, Brunei, Canal Zone.
Medal Clasps:
- South Persia
- Kurdistan
- Iraq
- North West Persia
- Southern Desert Iraq
- Northern Kurdistan
- Palestine
- South East Asia 1945 to 1946
- Palestine 1945 to 1948
- Malaya
- Cyprus
- Near East
- Arabian Peninsula
- Brunei
- Canal Zone
