In 1938 , at the age of seventeen , Tabenkin joined the '' Sadeh Squadron '' of the Haganah , an underground paramilitary organization operating in Mandatory Palestine . In 1942 , he enlisted in the Palmach , an elite unit of that organization , where he soon made a career as an instructor , until in 1947 , during a time of disturbances in Mandate Palestine , he was promoted to commander of the Palmach 's '' Platoon Dalet '' , where he served under Yigael Yadin . In December of 1947 , Tabenkin participated in retaliatory raids on Arab targets in Ramla for the murders of Jews committed by the Arabs . After the Haifa Oil Refinery massacre in late December of 1947 , Tabenkin personally took charge of the Haifa port by sending 25 of his men from the Palmach to the harbour in order to restore law and order
Haifa Oil Refinery massacre
Haifa Oil Refinery massacre
Joseph Tabenkin