Israeli Military Code Becomes Effective; Provides for Religious Observances in Army

The Israeli Army military code and regulations, listing rules of behavior for men and officers, special facilities for religious observances and relations between officers and enlisted men, went into effect throughout the country today.

The code, which was drawn up after a study of the regulations of all armies, provides that all troops shall salute while on duty and in military establishments, but not on the streets. During leave a soldier may wear civilian clothing.

Thirty minutes shall be allowed each week-day morning and 90 minutes each Saturday and holiday for prayers. Only religious soldiers who wore beards before the war will be permitted to keep them. All food served by the army will be kosher and all personnel are charged with maintaining dietary laws. All food will be processed in a central kitchen, but will be served separately for officers and non-commissioned officers and for privates.

CIRCASSIAN AND DRUZE TROOPS GO INTO ACTION AS PART OF ISRAELI FORCES

Circassian troops, whose first major engagement with Israeli forces in north central Galilee was revealed yesterday, were sworn into the Israeli Army in June when all other soldiers took their oath of allegiance, it was learned here today. The same procedure was followed with Druze troops, who also saw their first action against Kaukaji’s irregulars in this battle.

The Circassian troops are the descendants and members of a tribe which made its way to Palestine at the beginning of this century from the Caucasus region. During the first world war they were drafted into Turkish military service and later were the backbone of the Transjordan Frontier Force until replaced by the Arab Legion.

When the Arab invasion occurred, the head of the tribe approached the local Jewish authorities and said that his people had decided to “assist David against Goliath.” They were placed in special training camps with their own non-commissioned officers and under the command of Jewish settlers in Galilee who had long been their neighbors and friends. Their training was accomplished in a mixture of tongues–Circassian, English and a smattering of Hebrew.

Just before going into battle last Friday, their 35-year-old commander issued an order of the day declaring that he hoped that these representatives of a minority group living in Israel would know how to play their role both in the military stabilization of the country’s borders and in the reconstruction work which will follow the firing of the last shot.

EGYPTIANS PREPARED TO DISCUSS EXCHANGE OF WAR PRISONERS WITH ISRAEL

The Red Cross has advised the Israeli authorities that the Egyptians are prepared to discuss an exchange of prisoners of war, it was announced here today. A meeting between the two parties is expected soon to work out the details of the project.

The Baghdad radio this morning reported that Iraq has engaged the services of several former Luftwaffe pilots who helped bomb London during the late war. One of the pilots is quoted as saying that the best way to deal with the Jews is as Hitler did. His first assignment, the announcer said, would be to bomb Tel Aviv and that he would fly to his objective with the aid of a map of the area which was given him by his German superiors during the wan.