ABSTRACT
The British rule in Palestine was viewed as indispensable for imperial defence. Palestine's role would be to provide reserves and strategic depth for the defence of Egypt, Suez, and British interests throughout the Middle East. The war came to the Mediterranean when Italy joined Germany in fighting against Britain and France on 10 June 1940. The first air-raid of Palestine was on 15 July. The Syria–Lebanon campaign ended in British victory by July 1941. The war in the Western Desert brought the danger close to Palestine and urgent military preparation were discussed for the country's defence. The British–Jewish clandestine cooperation included, among others, the Haifa Interrogation Bureau and the parachutist to occupied Europe.
