“Combat Leaf – Central Command” – A historical leaf of a “Battle Call” intended for IDF soldiers under the classification “internal, ” reporting the liberation of the city of Jerusalem on the second day of the war. At its head are quoted the words of the Commander of the Central Command, Uzi Narkiss: “Word of the Commanding General: Today Jerusalem is liberated. The City of the Patriarchs from the south and from the north is already in our hands – and our weapon is still poised. Soldiers of the Command – remain steadfast in the mission.” On the right, an illustration of Srulik, the Israeli patriot, holding a rifle in his hand and crushing a (Arab) hand holding a knife. Tuesday, 27 Iyar 1967. June 6, 1967.
At the upper left, it reports with excitement that “Soldiers of our units stand today in the heart of the land, in the heart of the nation, in the heart of history… Soldiers of the Central Command march today in the footsteps of Shimon Bar Giora and his zealous fighters, and after two thousand years a complete Hebrew wall surrounds our Jerusalem” alongside verses of consolation prophecy from the Book of Ezekiel dealing with the downfall of Egypt. At the lower right appears a brief “War Diary, ” which reports, among other things, that the IDF crushed the air forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, and that 400 enemy aircraft were destroyed. It also reports the exciting news that the forces of the Central Command are closing in on the Old City of Jerusalem. On the reverse appears a map of the Land of Israel depicting the battles in the Sinai Peninsula.
The second day of the Six-Day War was an especially fateful day in Jewish history, during which the main battles over East Jerusalem took place. Israeli forces advanced בתוך the city and in the surrounding areas, including fighting in the border neighborhoods and in territories under Jordanian control. In addition, heavy battles were conducted in the Latrun, Ramallah, and Jenin areas, as the IDF attempted to breach the Jordanian defensive lines and establish control over the main routes. On the following day, on the morning of June 7, 1967, paratrooper forces entered the Old City through the Lions’ Gate, and shortly thereafter took control of the Temple Mount and the area of the Western Wall. בכך הושלם כיבושה של East Jerusalem from Jordanian hands, and the city was unified under Israeli control.
[1] leaf. Printed on both sides. Filing holes. Light stains and creases at the margins. Good condition.
