Israeli Elite Units Since 1948

By Samuel M. Katz and Katz Sam

In 1947, when the UN partitioned Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, the true war for Israel's existence began. Throughout the War of Independence (1948), the PAL'MACH (Hebrew abbreviation for 'Strike Companies') spearheaded Israel's forces. Disbanded in 1949, the PAL'MACH was replaced by other specialist units, including paratroop forces, the GOLANI Infantry Brigade, the Naval Commandos, and territorial and other reconnaissance commando formations. An acknowledged expert on the Israeli Defence Forces, Samuel Katz presents an overview of these IDF elite units, including the mysterious SAYERET MAT'KAL, a highly classified elite unit whose exploits involve the 1972 raid on a hijacked Belgian Sabena Boeing 707.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0850458374
• ISBN13: 9780850458374
• Release Date: June 1988
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.3" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Israeli Elite Units 1948-1987

This Osprey book is a great summary of the history and fighting skills of the most decorated units in the Israeli Army, spanning paratroopers, naval forces, and territorial and reconnaissance units. In particular it tells the heroic story of the training and experiences of the paratrooper units who played such a crucial role in several of Israel's victories. Included also are a generous supply of color plates illustrating the gear and weapons of the various units. In short, this is a concise, informative guide to the elite units of the Israeli Army from before and during Israel's founding up to when the book was written in the late 1980's, as only Osprey could provide.