| BATTLE OF DGANIA, MAY 1948 |
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| PALMAH militia badge. |
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| A destroyed Syrian tank in Dgania |
| DGANIA Dgania is a kibbutz on the southern shore of the Galilee Sea (Kineret). In the 1930's it was divided to two parts-Dgania A and Dgania B, due to a split in the kibbutz movement. In 1948 this kibbutz was the target of a major Syrian offensive. On May 14,1948, David Ben Gurion declared Israel an independent nation. The very next day, 7 regular Arab armies invaded the newly formed nation. The Dgania farmers watched the Syrians pour down from the Golan Heights and take the Israeli forward positions easily. The situation was nearly hopeless: against a few hundred Israeli farmers and militia, The Syrians put a well-equipped brigade with armor and artillery support. The Syrians made their first move at Tzemah, A smaller Kibbutz east to Dgania. Knowing that The Syrians must be delayed and that Dgania is not ready to face the enemy, a small reinforcement of two infantry teams was sent to Tzemah. The Syrians also had to clear two tiny settlements in their flank: Shar-Golan and Masada. The Syrians attacked Shar-Golan with artillery and an infantry company but were bravely fought back by the farmers and a 20mm cannon platoon. The Syrians decided to bombard the area into surrendering and a heavy shelling began. On the 17th the Syrians Tried to take Tzemah but the farmers and few soldiers stood strong and repealed them. On the 18th the Syrians attacked Tzemah with 30 tanks and armored vehicles, while their infantry waited behind. The Syrians forced the defenders, who had no anti-tank weapons to retreat under fire, killing and wounding many. Knowing that the Syrians will attack soon, a new regional commander, Moshe Dayan, was assigned, and a reinforcement of one platoon came in. Dayan, who later became the legendary minister of defense during the 1967 war, ordered one company of militia to go on counter-offensive, which failed to take its objective but gave Dgania 24 more hours before the main Syrian assault. That same night, a group of Dgania leaders met the chief of staff and demanded use of air power and armor to save the kibbutz. They were told that the only support available is a team of 4 65mm field guns. The Syrian offensive, executed by five tanks, a few armored vehicles and an infantry company, was to be met by 70 farmers and militiamen. The battle started in the early morning of May 20th.The tanks broke into the kibbutz but were stopped by grenades and Molotov cocktails, thrown by militiamen who climbed the tanks. Many defenders were killed and injured, but the Syrians were stunned by their rising casualties and the fierce resistance, and so retreated. After failing to take Dgania A, the Syrians charged Dgania B. |