Yad La-Shiryon
The Armoured Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun
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.
Interesting Facts
- The official name of Yad La Shiryon is The Armoured Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun. Yad La Shiryon means “Hand of Armour”.
- The fort of Latrun is a Tegart fort named after the chief designer Charles Tegart, a former commissioner of the Indian police who had fought in Bengal.
- The tower of the fortress has been transformed into “Tower of Tears” by Israeli artist Danny Karavan. The inside of the tower is covered by steel taken from a tank and water circulating from a pool underneath the installation trickles down the walls.
