British Criminal Investigation Division headquarters in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Jaffa were blasted tonight by high explosive bombs and mortar shells. The explosions took place almost simultaneously in the three cities.
The explosion in Jerusalem occurred at 7:23 p.m., demolishing the front part of the C.I.D. building which is located in the Russian Compound, facing Jaffa Road, the main street of Jerusalem. The bombed area was cordoned off by troops and police who detained everyone within the area for interrogation, including British soldiers. Arrored cars stood by and military units with machine guns controlled all approaches to the center of the city where seven bombs were reported to have exploded.
In Tel Aviv two heavy explosions occurred about the same time, resulting in considerable damage. Several people were trapped in Jaffa, where C.I.D. headquarters were shelled by mortar at 7:20, causing much damage.
RESCUE GANGS SEARCH FOR CASUALTIES IN DEBRIS OF RUINED BUILDING
Intermittent shooting has been going on in Jerusalem since the explosions, while rescue gangs tonight searched for casualties in the debris of the bombed building. All traffic has stopped between Jerusalem and Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Troops were rushed to emergency stations in all three cities and armored cars are patrolling the streets.
The attack on the Jerusalem C.I.D. headquarters was apparently made with a stick of gelignite which blasted a large portion of the front and interior of the building it was stated. One British policeman was killed and one wounded.
Armed with tommy-guns, the bomb-throwers retaliated when troops opened fire with machine-guns and tommy-guns, and a running fight followed through Princess Mary Street and a Moslem cemetery in the heart of the town.
Other details of the outbreaks are not yet obtainable, but it was reported late in the evening that an exchange of shots also took place at Jaffa police headquarters when police signalled for military assistance. When troop reinforcements arrived they threw a pordon around the area, while military patrols went into the streets of Jaffa and Tel Aviv. It is known that at least one British soldier and a Jewish policeman have been killed in Tel Aviv. No arrests have been reported as yet.
The C.I.D. headquarters in Jerusalem is one of a group of government buildings completely surrounded by high walls three feet in diameter. Access to the building is only through closely guarded gates. Another guard is usually posted at the entrance of the building.
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.
