The Organisation
The official number of evacuees was estimated as 1,621 (including 87 men) and their evacuation was be under the direction of the Brigadier i/c Administration, Brigadier W. N. R. Moore of the Grenadier Guards. At a meeting with his quarter-masters held on the 1st of February 1947 he stressed the need for delicacy, understanding and sympathetic handling in their dealing with the evacuees who were being uprooted from their homes. He was determined that the evacuation, which he described as unique in history, should be a “good show” (Appendix B).
The main evacuation from Palestine was to commence on the 5th of February 1947. It was to be carried out by rail, air and sea. At a press conference held on the 3rd of February given by the Public Information Officer Mr. R Stubbs, it was announced that 1,621 evacuees would come under the scheme. These comprise 86 men; 895 women and 640 children (not including army families).
Area wardens were appointed to liaise with evacuees and to serve the written notifications which included details which would have to be observed. Those being evacuated would be able to take with them £20 in cash (in Palestinian or Egyptian currency) and two items of luggage with a total weight of 65 lbs. (See also Appendix C)They were instructed to proceed to one of the assembly points which had been established for various areas.
The main assembly point for Jerusalem would be on the field of the Sports Club in the Greek Colony. Tents had been erected on the field, and it was estimated that 400 people would gather there.
From the Sports Club the evacuees would be conveyed by a fleet of buses and staff cars to a holding camp at Sarafand.
There was also an assembly point at the Schneller Syrian Orphanage and one in the New City not far from King David Hotel and the YMCA, The latter assembly point was for those who were infirm or who had infants under the age of three. Mothers were allowed to take one suitcase and a fold-up Tansard pram for her child. Travel to Sarafand for this category of evacuee was to be by ambulance. Accommodation at Sarafand was to be in wards at the base hospital. There were further assembly points at Ramleh, Sarona and Jaffa[1].
Residents of Haifa were conveyed to the pre-war Peninsula Barracks which had been vacated and was to be their holding camp.
