Acre Prison Break - Aftermath

Aftermath

The New York Herald Tribune wrote that the underground had carried out "an ambitious mission, their most challenging so far, in perfect fashion", while in the House of Commons, Oliver Stanley asked what action His Majesty's Government was planning to take "in light of the events at Acre prison which had reduced British prestige to a nadir."

The Jewish Agency called the break "an irresponsible suicidal act", while Irgun commander Menachem Begin hailed it as an act of heroism.

Three out of the five men captured were sentenced to death. The Irgun kidnapped two British sergeants, Clifford Martin and Mervyn Paice, and threatened to execute them should the British carry out the death sentences. When the British did not relent and had the Irgun men executed, the Irgun hanged the two sergeants.

The Acre Prison break, with other operations had a strong moral effect on the Yishuv and on the fight for foundation of Israel. It is considered to have seriously damaged the British prestige and sped up to the foundation of the UNSCOP committee.

The operation is marked by a monument on the Acre promenade.