ABSTRACT
A very difficult situation was experienced with the next arrival. The Guardian, alias ‘Theodor Herz\\ sailed from Séte on 2 April after Gendarmes at the brows had shepherded over 2,600 immigrants onboard. During her voyage a Mossad escort group leader trained resistance groups to oppose boarders and provided them with rubber clubs and gas masks. She was reported by aircraft and intercepted after nightfall on 13 April by HMS St Bride’s Bay whilst making for Tel Aviv at four and a half knots with only ten miles to go. With a gale blowing, weather conditions were adverse for boarding and the Promised Land being so close at hand, those onboard were not in a mood to give up easily. Nor was there time to call in reinforcements, demonstrate the Navy’s capability or try persuasion. Preparations to repel boarders were very evident and although HMS Haydon was detailed to assist, she was still ten miles from the scene when Commodore Palestine ordered immediate boarding.
