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On this day 22nd July | Royal Signals Museum 01258 48 2248 [email protected] Facebook X Instagram Facebook X Instagram Privacy policy Royal Signals Museum – HomeVisit UsInteractive floorplanMuseum exhibitionsFree Digital GuideSchool & college visitsEvent hostingInteractive activitiesCodes and code breakingAbout UsDonationsMuseum supporters, sponsors and partnersVolunteersContact usPress and mediaActivitiesPrivacy PolicyCorps HistoryCorps CentenaryGeorge CrossCorps historyOn this dayCap badge historyColonel-in-ChiefWar gravesRoyal Signals in 100 objectsA A MilneThe Wire ArchiveHistory of Blandford CampThe White HelmetsRoyal Signals Regiments14 Signal RegimentShop Select Page Royal Signals Museum – HomeVisit UsInteractive floorplanMuseum exhibitionsFree Digital GuideSchool & college visitsEvent hostingInteractive activitiesCodes and code breakingAbout UsDonationsMuseum supporters, sponsors and partnersVolunteersContact usPress and mediaActivitiesPrivacy PolicyCorps HistoryCorps CentenaryGeorge CrossCorps historyOn this dayCap badge historyColonel-in-ChiefWar gravesRoyal Signals in 100 objectsA A MilneThe Wire ArchiveHistory of Blandford CampThe White HelmetsRoyal Signals Regiments14 Signal RegimentShopPrivacy policy On This Day…On the 22nd July 1946 the St. David’s Hotel, Jerusalem was bombedThe bombing of St. David’s Hotel, Jerusalem occurred resulting in Royal Signals suffering its first casualties in post-war Palestine.During the latter part of the Palestine Mandate, the Headquarters of British Troops in Palestine was in the southern wing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, alongside the Mandate Secretariat. The Royal Signals-run telephone exchange was in the basement. Milk churns filled with explosivesJust after mid-day, six men, Jewish members of Irgun disguised as Arab workers, arrived at the hotel’s service bay in a delivery truck. They overpowered and locked up the hotel staff working in the area and unloaded milk churns filled with explosives, which they then moved into La Regence café under the south-west corner of the building.It was at this stage of the attack that the bombers were confronted by Captain A. D. Mackintosh of 3 Squadron, Palestine Command Signal Regiment. His suspicions were raised by the activity outside the telephone exchange.  He went to investigate and while grappling with one of the attackers was shot in the stomach by another of the bombers.Soon afterwards, the hotel clerk managed to get to his office and press the alarm bell, which sounded at Jerusalem District Police Headquarters. A patrol car was dispatched.As the attackers made their escape they were fired at by military police, two attackers being hit, before a diversionary explosion was set off nearby. In the ensuing confusion, the attackers escaped. It soon became apparent that something had occurred in the hotel and several military and police officers went into the hotel basement to investigate. Blast killed 91 and injured 45As they moved towards La Regence, at about 12.30 pm a huge explosion demolished much of the hotel’s southern wing. The blast killed 91 people and injured 45. Six survivors were rescued from the rubble over the next few days by soldiers of 9th Airborne Squadron, Royal Engineers. Royal Signals deathsAmong the dead was Royal Signals Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major) Leonard Charles Adams, who had been working in the Defence Security Headquarters. Captain Mackintosh died of his wounds the next day. They were buried beside each other in Ramleh War Cemetery. Palestine reflectionsRead about one soldier’s memories of Palestine and passing the milk churns on that fateful day. People run for cover as the King David Hotel, Jerusalem blows up. (© IWM E 31973) Pictured above: Captain Alexander David Mackintosh, Palestine Command Signal Regiment The King David Hotel.Below: Civilians and soldiers attempt to rescue victims trapped in the debris of the ruined wing of the King David Hotel, Jerusalem, Palestine, on 24 July 1946, following the explosion of a bomb in the basement two days earlier. (© IWM E 31975) See all 'On this day' articlesAbove – Report of the King David Hotel bombingOpposite – silent, unused footage from the aftermath. Royal Signals Museum – HomeVisit UsAbout UsCorps HistoryShop Facebook X Instagram © 2023 Royal Signals Museum. 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