More than 10,000 Jewish veterans of both World Wars marched in a huge parade through Tel Aviv’s streets today to mark the tenth anniversary of the day that the Jewish Brigade entered battle on the Italian front.
Beside former members of the Brigade, all wearing their old uniforms and campaign decorations, there were members of former commando units, pioneer units and infantrymen who saw action in some of the most famous battles of World Wars I and II, from Galipoli through the liberation of Europe. In all there were former members of 31 different units in the British armed forces.
On the reviewing stand, taking the salute, were two former privates in the Jewish Legion of World War I–former Privates Ben Zvi and Ben Gurion, now President and Defense Minister, respectively, of Israel, Next to them on the reviewing stand were Premier Moshe Sharett, Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Moshe Dayan and J. L. Nichols. Ambassador of Britain, under whose banners the Jewish units in both wars had been organized.
Later in the day, a huge crowd estimated at some 30,000 persons gathered in Ramath Gan stadium to hear leaders of Israel and Ambassador Nichols review the achievements of the Jewish fighting men.
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