Granite Battalion

932nd Nahal Infantry Battalion (“Granite”)
Active	June 1976–present
Country	Israel
Allegiance	Israeli Defense Force
Branch	Nachal Infantry Brigade
Type	Battalion
Motto(s)	"Granite Battalion Tip of the Spear! החנית חוד גרניט גדוד “
Colors	Red and White
Engagements	Operation Peace for Galilee Operation Defensive Shield Second Lebanon War
Commanders
Current commander	Battalion Commander Yoav Katzanelson

Mivtzayit Alligator Insignia

The MK-19 automatic grenade launcher, carried on the backs of IDF infantry soldiers.

Paintball training

Training of Granite Battalion soldiers, Nov 2010

The 932nd "Granite" Battalion is part of the Israeli Defense Force's Nahal Brigade.

History

Battalion 932 was established in June 1976 and until Operation Peace for Galilee functioned as a routine security battalion belonging to Central Command. Its main area of activity before the First Lebanon War was the northern sector of the Jordanian border with the West Bank in the Jordan Valley, replacing Sayeret Haruv which had been disbanded. It was based in Camp Gadi, next to Masua, and manned mainly by Nahal soldiers. During the First Lebanon War the battalion participated in the battle for Ein Zahlat against Syrian commandos and a Syrian armored battalion.^[1]

Until the withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000 the battalion set up multiple successful outposts and operations, including a cross-border operation, resulting in the elimination of four terrorists, nicknamed "turmeric 3."

The Granite Battalion received the Chief Of Staff (Ramatkal) Medal for its activities during Operation Defensive Shield, especially in the battle for Jenin. During the operation the battalion participated in arrests in Tulkarm, the Balata refugee camp, Nur, Nablus, the refugee camps in Ramallah and Amaary Jenin.

During the Second Lebanon War, Battalion 932 battled Hezbollah fighters in the villages of south Lebanon, including MissAJabal, Atltin, Cantera and the famous battle in the village of Wadi Saluki Bandura, towards the end of the war.^[2]

In Operation Cast Lead of 2008, Battalion 932 hindered a number of attacks originating from the Lebanese and Syrian borders.

In Operation Protective Edge, Battalion 932 fought in the northern Gaza Strip, combating Hamas militants and finding and destroying arms caches hidden in civilian buildings.

Units

• "Palchod" (Spearhead) Company
• "Mivtsayit" (Operations) Company
  • Spearhead Platoon
  • Reconnaissance Platoon
  • Sniper Platoon
  • Demolitions Platoon
• "Mesayat" (Support) Company
  • Mortar Platoon
  • ATGM Platoon
  • Reconnaissance Platoon
• "Maslul" Company
• "Patrol" Platoon
• Battalion Headquarters Personnel

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Granite Battalion (Israel Defense Forces).