Givati is the amphibious force and is one of the infantry brigades in the Israeli Army.
The Givati Brigade was formed in December 1947. It operated in the central region of Israel at the outset of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence. Subsequently, in this war, the Givati became the Fifth Brigade, moving to the south, concentrated mainly near Gedera, Gan Yavne, and Be’er Tuvia. One of its battalions fought on the Jerusalem front, in Operation Nachshon and the Battles of Latrun.
In 2007, the Givati Brigade was divided into three main battalions, given the names of trees.
Shaked (Almond) Infantry Battalion
Tzabar (Cactus) Infantry Battalion
Rotem (Furze) Infantry Battalion
In addition, there are units for reconnaissance, engineering and others, such as;
Shualei Shimshon (Samsons Foxes) Special Troops Battalion which includes;
* Dikla (Palm) Anti Tank Company
* Dolev Engineer Company
* Shualei Shimshon Reconnaissance Company
Ma’or Signa Company
The Givati soldiers are recognized for their distinctive purple berets. The symbol of Givati is the fox, hence the special “Shualei Shimshon” (Samson’s foxes) reconnaissance unit.
I was a member of Givati in 1948 and was with the Hablaniem.
We wore at that time black berets.
We were under the command of luitenant Pollak who was orriginally from Holland.
We were involved in the attack on El-Rac Sudan (I don’t know if I spell ir good.
Also in blowing up a bridge behind the enemy line.
I am very proud of the members of Givati of today.
Shalom, Shalom, Shalom
Lectorum salutem,
I have a lot of documents-information and foto about Abraham Polak.
In 1945-1946 he was here, in my own enviroments Echt-Susteren in the Netherlands, very active and couregeous as commander of a Bomb Disposal Troop.
For me it is very painful that here, even by the high ranks, never heard of him.
Toon Smeets 84 y old.
I was also a member of Givati in 1983. At that time we too wore black berets, however in 1985 we were asked to choose from 3 different colour berets for a new design, bright orange, bright green, or dark purple. We overwhelmingly chose purple (sagol) as it was the least offensive colour to our eyes. Since 1985 all of the Givati soldiers have only worn the purple beret, forever retiring the black one.
Shalom