סמל הגדוד החמישי

סן סימון וקטמון
כ"א בניסן תש"ח
30 באפריל 1948

סיוע לכוח הנצור במנזר וסיוע לכיבוש קטמון

The memorial site was photographed that day by the same photographer Click for a larger image

The Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem and the San Simon Monastery within it, was an Arab neighborhood of strategic importance because it separated the Jewish neighborhoods in the south and west of the city.

As part of Operation Yevusi, in which attempts were made to take over neighborhoods in Jerusalem that had been evacuated by the British, an attempt was made to occupy the convent of San Simon
After the takeover of the monastery, an attack by many Arab forces began, the fifth battalion of the Palmach-Harel Brigade was called to assist, and after long battles (in which 4 of the battalion’s soldiers fell) the monastery remained in the hands of the Jewish forces.

Translation of the text on the sign:
Emblem of the Fifth Battalion

San Simon and Katamon
April 30, 1948

Assistance to the besieged force in the monastery and assistance in the conquest of Katamon