UN Palestine Commission – Security matters – Memorandum from the Advance Party

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Questions Relating to Security Matters Presented to Brigadier Kirkman by Colonel Roscher-Lund of the Advance Party

The following memorandum was received from Colonel Roscher Lund of the Advance Party in air-pouch No.2 on 21 March.

Jerusalem, Palestine

8 March 1948

Meeting with the Chief-of-Staff – Brig. Kirkman

held on 6 March 108

I put to Brig. Kirkman the questions below and he promised to let his officers handle the questions and answer to the best of their knowledge:

I. Estimated development of the fighting in Palestine in the near future –

plan for British withdrawal, especially for Jerusalem area.

II. Estimation of International troops necessary for replacement of the British troops – approximate cost of International force per soldier per day.

III. Possibility for the Commission to exist in Palestine it International force is not provided.

IV. The two fighting parts –

A. Arabs:

(a) Strength of force now available

(b) Degree of training

(c) Equipment

(d) Type of weapons, particularly artillery and planes Transport available

(e) Preparation for the final fight outside and inside Palestine – particularly troops under training outside – equipment, weapons, transport, and supplies.

B. Jews:

(a) Strength of force now available

(b) Degrees of training

(c) Equipment

(d) Type of weapons, particularly artillery and planes

(e) Transport available

(f) Preparation for final fight outside and inside Palestine – particularly troops under training outside – equipment weapons, transport, and supplies

C. Estimate of probable developments when the British withdraw if International force not present – which areas will the 2 parts probably hold on short and on long term.

V. Police:

(a) Police Force – present strength, equipment, weapons, dispositions what number of personnel eventually willing remain when British withdraw specified for areas – experience of personnel.

(b) Arab and Jewish Municipal Police – status, training, equipment.

(c) Mishmar – now and eventual development – equipment, training, strength.

(d) General questions of supplies, ammunition replacements, weapons for Police Forces – British equipment.

VI. Jerusalem:

What would, the requirements be separately for the Jerusalem area for an International force?

Area to protect?

Strength of forces necessary?

Equipment, guns, planes, harbour facilities?

Transport protection

Protection of water and electricity supplies

Influence of en eventual arrangement in Jerusalem on the situation in the rest of Palestine

VII. Buying of British ammunition and equipment when British withdraw.

VIII. Regarding the last point, Brig. Kirkman stated that the British would not leave any equipment, weapons, or other stores in Palestine on withdrawal, and that, in his opinion, the British Government would not contemplate selling any weapon or other equipment.

ARL

(initialed)