About Yad La-Shiryon

Yad La-Shiryon at Latrun is Israel’s official memorial site for the fallen soldiers from the armoured corps and one of the most diverse tank museums in the world. Its most famous landmark is an American M4 Sherman tank mounted atop a former British water tower, one of the first tanks ever used by the Israel Defence Forces.

Strategic Location of Latrun

Latrun was always at a strategic location, monitoring the main roads heading to Jerusalem from the coast. Here, Joshua battled against Canaanite kings in the nearby Ayalon Valley (Joshua 10:1-11). The fort of Latrun was built during the British Mandate period as part of war against the Arab terror. It was later a significant battle site in Israel’s 1948 War of Independence.

Main Attractions

The outdoor armoury display features more than 100 different tanks, made in Israel, the United States, Britain, Germany, France and former Soviet Union. The Tank Museum showcases a collection of tanks and armoured combat vehicles including a full-scale model of an armoured knight, Assyrian and Egyptian chariots and literature relating to combat vehicles. The Wall of Names displays the names of all the fallen soldiers of the Armoured Corps who died in the 1948 Arab Israeli War and later wars. The Allied Forces Monument, comprising 3 battle tanks on top of a rock pile, pays tribute to the Allies of World War II.