The Jewish Brigade: An Army with Two Masters 1944-45

by Morris Beckman

Although over a million Jews were estimated to be fighting for the Allies by the middle of World War II, the British government (which controlled Palestine) refused to allow the formation of an independent Jewish unit. Finally, in the face of public pressure and horrific reports of the Holocaust, the Jewish Brigade was created in 1944. The Brigade fought against the Germans in Italy during the last year of the war, distinguishing itself in action, and gave Jews across the world pride at seeing, for the first time, soldiers fighting under the flag of the Star of David.

Genres: History, World War II, Jewish

159 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 1998

Reviews

[Jansen Wee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beckman writes in a manner which ensures that the pace of the book is continuous and exciting. The story of the Jewish Brigade in WWII is one of despair and disappointment being overcome by heroism, determination, and inspiration. Its formation borne of the desire to wreak vengeance on the Nazis (which they did), but its purpose eventually to be a critical pillar in the birth of Israel in 1948, first in its humanitarian rescue of dispossessed European Jews in post-war Europe, and their smuggling to Palestine, and later to form the nucleus of what would later be the vaunted IDF.

[Joshua Soussan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of oral history and interviews of past Brigaders, this book chronicles the evolution of the Jewish Brigade during WWII. This is a riveting tale full of insights behind major events. Although it is about the fighting force, the most interesting was the post war operations, when the Brigade doubled as a humanitarian force, using their personal funds and time to rescue the victims of the Holocaust. It is a time period often overlooked (1945-46) but critical to understanding the how the plight of Jews continued despite the end of the war. Additionally Beckman draws the line from the Brigade to the establishment of the IDF which was also fascinating.

[Jacob Lehman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavily Zionist in its own bent, and a little more story would be helpful, but it is a compelling story of the Jewish Palestinians' involvement in the Italian campaign late in WWII as well as in resettling refugees after the war.

I read this book as a part of my project to read one book from every aisle in Olin Library. You can read more about the project, find reactions to other books, and (eventually) a fuller reaction to this one here: https://jacobklehman.com/library-read

[Stephen Brickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Comprehensive book on the Jewish Brigate

I have read six books that involved the Jewish Brigade but this covers more extensively the origins through their disbandment in the Summer of 1946 as well as their continued involvement through the war of Independence from the harsh, sadistic British Palestinian administration.

[Sanne Harder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well-written account of the Jewish Brigade. However, I do feel that the writer relied a bit too heavily on specific source material. It’s understandable - apart from Wellesley Aron, I haven’t come across many written eye witness descriptions. Still, I would have preferred some more angles, and maybe even a more critical approach to the sources that were being used.

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by a friend from work - A great piece of interesting history with lots of examples of the strife and stresses of the Jewish Brigade as they halp THOUSANDS of Jewish refugees, often fleeing directly from the extermination camps after the official ends of the war.

[Wolfgang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of how the Jewish Brigade overcame obstacles in the British administration, was impacted by conflicts of interest and emerged as an excellent fighting force at the end of the war.

[Thomas Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. The topic is more interesting than the book itself.