![]() Phase 2: the penetration of the 9th Battalion The 9th Battalion covering force under the command of Alexander Witkon ('Big Sashka') deployed on a hill located 800 m north of the city, with 8 Baze machine guns, two 22 mm cannons and 2 M-2 launchers. The Tactical H.Q., 7th Battalion and the 82nd Battalion departing from the assembly area near Mishmar-Hanegev, and the 9th Battalion attack force departing from the assembly area In Urim, moved along the Be'er-Sheba-Gaza road all the way to the demolished Abu- Raqaik bridge and onwards to the deployment area north of the city. Any attempts to flank the stream of fleeing people and block the road south of Daharia were stopped once the city was occupied An armored Company under the command of Yosi Greenberg blocked the road south of Be'er-Sheba The armored and halftrack Company under the command of Gershon Dubenboum (Debembem) awaited its orders to proceed diverting on the hills located south-west of the city. A battery of 65 mm cannons was positioned near Hazerim 9th Battalion blocking and diversion forces departed from Hazala and Haluza- The attempts of the 2 jeep companies under the command of Shaul Biber to block the road north of Be'er-Sheba failed due to the large number of people fleeing the city. The artillery forces left Hazerim, positioning an 88th Battalion 81 mm cannon battery west of the city and another battery north of the city. Phase 1: The night of the 20th- the force's deployment from the assembly area: The force's arrival to the deployment area was delayed and the occupation of the city scheduled to occur during the night was carried out at 04:00 am. The Attacking force under the command of 'Negev' Brigade Commander, Nahum Sarig, included 7th Battalion infantry and support companies, 82nd Battalion armored infantry Company, 8th Brigade armored Company carrying 37 mm cannons 9th Battalion 'French Commando' and a 7th Battalion Company. An antitank ditch was located in front of the fence surrounding the city and elevated pillboxes dominated the fence and the area opposite the fence. The city was protected by a Battalion and 200 volunteers with 3.7 'Howitzer' cannons and several 6 pound cannons. Provision warehouses located in the city, supported The Egyptian forces operating in Hebron and Bethlehem. Most of The city's 4,000 inhabitants had run away in the aftermath of the Air-Force day time bombing on the 15th of October.
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