Operation Polly

Narrative

Operation Polly was the evacuation of British non-essential civilians from Palestine in 1947.

Narrative

On January 31, 1947, in London, at the request of the opposition, the British Government arranged a debate in the House of Commons concerning Law and Order in Palestine.
This took place on a motion for the adjournment.
The Opposition had no wish to introduce questions of policy, while the fate of Palestine was still being discussed at the London Conference, but it was felt that the incidents in Palestine, which had taken place, and the Government’s handling of terrorist activities called urgently for comment.
The opposition, whose principle speaker was Mr. Oliver Stanley, felt that firmer measures by the Government would have prevented or checked the lawlessness threatened the British in Palestine.
The sentencing of Dov Gruner was one of these firmer measures, but in retaliation, there was the kidnapping of two civilians, Judge Ralph Windham and Mr. H. I. Collins.

Narrative

On January 29, 1947, the Palestine Executive Council met at the King David Hotel, attended by the High Commissioner, Lieut.Gen. Sir Alan Cunningham. the C-in-C Middle East Land Forces General Sir Miles Dempsey, the Commander of British Troops in Palestine General Sir Evelyn Baker, the Chief Secretary of the Palestine Government Sir Henry Gurney and other members of the Executive Council. where it was decided that the safety of civilians could no longer be guaranteed and that a general plan for the evacuation of all civilians already formulated (plans for the evacuation of Palestine had been suggested a number of years previously and the cooperation of the Egyptian Government had been secured) would be implemented with the utmost urgency.
The High Commissioner, Sir Alan Cunningham, told United States Consul General, Lowell C. Pinkerton that “it was done - to give the government a free hand for any preventative measures necessary without the possible embarrassment of having hostages seized”.
Sir Alan Cunningham added that "Further action in his (Dov Gruner’s) case would not be taken until after the evacuation measures had been completed."

Narrative

On Friday, January 31, 1947, legislation was passed empowering the Chief Secretary to order the evacuation of ‘non-essential personnel not being Palestinian citizens’ and, in its wake, instructions and evacuation notices were issued.
At 14:00PM, that day, an official announcement was broadcast by the Palestine Broadcasting Service in the three official languages (English, Arabic and Hebrew): "Following on recent events in Palestine it has been decided that British women and children and certain other civilians will be evacuated so that the Government and armed forces will not be hampered in their task of maintaining order. Notification and full instructions are being given to the individuals concerned."
The measures applied to civilians and dependents of the Palestine Police, but not the Army. which was to make its own arrangements, when all officers and men and their wives living privately would be required to move into barracks.
The official number of evacuees was estimated as 1,621, which included 87 men.
The main evacuation from Palestine was to start on February 5, 1947, and was to be carried out by rail, air and sea.

Narrative

On the February 3, 1947, at a press conference held by the Public Information Officer, Mr. R Stubbs, it was announced that 1,621 evacuees would be involved, 86 men; 895 women and 640 children (not including army families).
Operation 'Polly' began with Halifax bombers of No.113 Squadron evacuating non-essential civilians from Aqir.

Narrative

On May 14, 1948, the British lowered the Union Jack in Palestine.

References

  1. Cunningham, Alan Gordon GCMG, KCB, DSO, MC
  2. Moore, James Newton Rodney GCVO KCB CBE DSO