| Hish (Heil HaSadeh) | |
|---|---|
| חי"ש (חיל השדה) | |
 Hish insignia | |
| Active | 1939–1948 |
| Disbanded | 1948 |
| Country | British Mandate of Palestine |
| Branch | Haganah |
| Type | Corps |
| Role | Field operations, defense of Jewish settlements |
| Size | 9,500 members (1939) |
| Part of | Haganah |
| Engagements | 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine,1947–1949 Palestine war,1948 Arab–Israeli War |
Hish (Hebrew:חי"ש, a Hebrew acronym forHeil HaSadeh (Hebrew:חיל השדה), lit.Field Corps) was acorps formed by theHaganah in theBritish Mandate of Palestine in 1939, following the disbandment of the smaller mobilized force known as thePosh.[1] It was the Haganah's main surface corps, alongsideHim and thePalmach.
1939 was a turning point for the Jewish Defence forces.Orde Wingate was transferred out of Palestine and the Fosh was replaced by a less mobile but permanent "Field Force/Corps",Heil Sadeh or Hish. The forces were formed with men with basic military training into Home Guard units,Heil Mishmar, Him. WithPlugot Meyuhadot (Pum) as covert "Special Companies" to wage a counter terror war against the Arabs. Hish had 9,500 members, largely untrained, ranging in age from 18 to 25.[2]
Hish consisted of theLevanoni Brigade,Carmeli Brigade,Golani Brigade,Kiryati Brigade,Alexandroni Brigade,Etzioni Brigade,Givati Brigade andOded Brigade.