One immediate result of the Jewish proclamation of a new state of Israel was that the Jews were attacked from all sides by neighbouring Arab states. The Israelis, although greatly outnumbered, fought back determinedly. In January 1949 the overriding events of the month were the Jewish incursions into Egypt and the Squadron’s reconnaissance flights to verify them, which resulted in the loss of four aircraft on 7th January.
Up to and including the 7th, a number of sorties had been flown on tactical reconnaissance or escort missions on the frontier area. Much ground movement had been reported and anti-aircraft fire had been encountered on several occasions, however no damage was sustained or hostile aircraft seen. In fact the Squadron was congratulated on the results of its reconnaissances the results of which had been used almost verbatim by the Foreign Office and UNO to prove the presence of Jewish forces on Egyptian soil. However on the 7th four Squadron pilots failed to return from one such sortie and there ensued a period of uncertainty as to their fate.
It transpired that all four aircraft had been bounced by Jewish Spitfires, whose appearance was similar to our own fighters, and all four were shot down. Flying Officer Cooper, the formation leader, baled out and was picked up wounded by Bedouins who transported him by camel to El Arish. From there he
History - 1945 - 1950 (8)
with zero cloud cover. The following day 208 finally left Ramat David and Palestine.
EGYPT
From the political standpoint as the British troops withdrew the Zionists, by a vigorous counter-offensive, achieved complete military superiority over the Arab Liberation Army in the plains. On the afternoon of 14th May the Jewish state of Israel was proclaimed and immediately recognised by the US and USSR. Though subsequently opposition by the Arabs was intense the Jews had achieved a firm foothold in Palestine and were not going to withdraw at any cost. With the evacuation complete AHQ, RAF Levant closed down and the Squadron came under 205 Group control. The Squadron now free of its responsibilities in Palestine settled down to a full training programme until it moved to Fayid in November.
