 Glubb first realized ( " pris conscience " ) the strategical importance of Latrun in the Battle of Jerusalem . His objective was twofold : he wanted to prevent the Israelis from strengthening Jerusalem and from supplying the city , and he wanted to " make a diversion " to keep the strengths of the Haganah far from the city , warranting to the Arabs the control of East Jerusalem . In addition to the 11th Company already there , he sent to Latrun the whole 4th Regiment . During the night between 15 and 16 May , the first contingent of 40 legionnaires seconded by an undetermined number of Bedouins strengthened the position , and the remainder of the regiment reached the area on 17 May . 
