Enthusiasm would be a mild word to describe the reaction of Jewish units stationed in Egypt when they heard that the War Office had agreed to formation of a Jewish brigade group. Up until yesterday many of these men did not hide their earnest desire to return home to Palestine, but the knowledge that what they have been asking for so long – active fighting as Jews – has at last been granted has infused then with renewed ardor.
The men who will fill the ranks of the brigade have been thoroughly trained for combat duties and are itching for a chance to show their mettle. It is understood that those units which, under present plans, are not to be included in the brigade intend to ask that they be included. A typical reaction was that of a veteran of the campaigns in Libya, Greece and Crete. He said; “It’s all very well to do camouflage work, carry water and drive transport – we understand that these were necessary jobs which had to be done – but they do not compare with coming to grip with the Huns. It will be a pleasure.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
