PALESTINE REGIMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1942, Page 3

PALESTINE REGIMENT

FORMATION ANNOUNCED IN COMMONS JEWISH & ARAB BATTALIONS. EXPANSION OF POLICE FORCES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) RUGBY, August 6. The recruiting of up to 1,000 men for infantry and ancillary services in Palestine, and the creation of a Palestinian Regiment, consisting of separate Jewish and Arab battalions and incorporating the Palestinian companies of the Buffs, was announced in the House of Commons by the Secretary for War, Sir James Grigg. Enlistment will be for general service, but normally units will be employed in Palestine or in adjacent countries, Sir James Grigg said. In addition to these measures, the Palestine Volunteer Force will be expanded to a maximum of 2,000 as arms and training facilities allow and another 1,500 men will be enrolled in a Jewish rural special police. Staff coordination, arms and equipment will be provided by General Auchinleck as soon as circumstances permit. Sir James Grigg said Britain was doing her utmost to enable Palestinian Jews to defend their own country and if the facilities now offered were taken advantage of, only a small part of the manpower available would not be engaged against the common foe. The latest information about Palestine defence shows that at the end of June 12,000 Jews and 4,800 Arabs were serving in the forces. Some 23,800 Jews are enrolled in various police organisations, which in part have a duly to assist the military.