The Battle of Mishmar HaEmek was a ten-day battle fought from 4 to 15 April 1948 between the Arab Liberation Army commanded by Fawzi al-Qawuqji and the Haganah commanded by Yitzhak Sadeh and Dan Laner. The battle began when al-Qawuqji launched an attack against Mishmar HaEmek with the intent of taking the kibbutz, which was strategically placed beside the main road between Jenin and Haifa. In 1947 it had a population of 550.
Jewish soldiers at the entry of the Mishmar Ha'emek, 1948
Bay Mahdi, one of the ALA commanders, during the attack on Mishmar HaEmek, 1948
Villages cleared in Haganah counter-attack (red). Those captured on 12 May by Irgun marked by blue spots.
The Arab Liberation Army, also translated as Arab Salvation Army or Arab Rescue Army (ARA), was an army of volunteers from Arab countries led by Fawzi al-Qawuqji. It fought on the Arab side in the 1948 Palestine war and was set up by the Arab League as a counter to the Arab High Committee's Holy War Army, but in fact, the League and Arab governments prevented thousands from joining either force.
ALA on parade, 1948
An Otter armored car captured by the Haganah from the ALA (Arab Liberation Army- Kaukji's army) in 1948.
Image: The army of liberation works wonders al mussawar 19480403
