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The Communications, Electronics and Computer Corps is responsible for communications, and effective distribution of orders in the Israel Defense Forces. Its functions include providing communications at all levels, and the development, purchase, issue and maintenance of communications equipment. The Corps is also responsible for internal military mail and for soldiers' letters, It grew out of the Communication Service" of the Hagana which operated underground, but even under those conditions it ran a national network and maintained communications (either by semaphore or radio) with all settlements in the country, as well as with the ship bringing in the "illegal" immigration and those running it abroad.
At the end of the War of Independence, the "Communication Service" was faced with a new challenge: transition from stationary to mobile communications based on radio, in order to provide communications for the army of Israel. The equipment available was Second World War surplus which was both bulky and not particularly reliable. Despite these difficulties the Service met all its obligations in providing communications for the fighting forces, and while the war was in progress succeeded in setting up communications units on the battalion, brigade and regional levels.
As a result of the lessons learned during the War of Independence, a major reorganisation took place. The Service became the Communications Corps, with a Chief Communications Officer at its head. The Corps turned to planning and building the necessary infrastructure for radio, telephone and telephone communications, as well as developing its own professional operations procedures necessary for running these systems. The Sinai Campaign was the first occasion when the IDF had to fight on the move over large territories. The means of communications which the Corps had at its disposal did not always meet the needs. The equipment did not meet the test of communicating effectively over large distances, the communications pipelines were jammed with telegrams, and telephone lines were unable to keep up with the advancing forces.
In the late 50's, early 60's, the Corps adapted itself to the requirements of a modern, armoured and mobile army. A period of development and refitting began with updated equipment, either acquired abroad or produced in Israel. Soldiers of the Communications Corps were attached to at I army units and the professional standard noticeably increased. This new equipment enabled voice radio communications over long distance, and included radio-telephone and field telegraph. At the same time, modern command centres were created to ensure command, control and communications. All these contributed to the efficient command and control systems, and effective co-operation between the air, navy and ground forces.
The Corps soon went into the field of electronics, and in 1961 its name was changed to the Communications, Electronics and Computer Corps. The efforts bore fruit in the Six Day War, when efficient and reliable communications were provided to fighting units on all fronts.
After this war, the IDF was faced with a new reality: huge territories under its control, significant growth in the size of the forces, and deployment along the armistice lines, from Mount Hermon in the North to Sharm-a-Sheikh in the South. This situation presented the Corps with a new challenge - to build a reliable communications system that would be able to reach the furthest positions. The system which was set up did indeed prove itself in terms of the equipment and those operating it, during the War of Attrition, in the ongoing operation and activities initiated along and beyond the borders.
During the Yom Kippur War the high professional standards of the Corps were effective in overcoming the initial shock of the attack, setting up systems quickly and providing commanders with efficient communications on all levels. In this way it was possible to establish proper control of the forces, cope with the surprises and counterattack. After the Yom Kippur War, the Corps had to adapt itself to major changes taking place in the IDF in areas such as the reorganisation of the fighting forces, changes in IDF's fighting doctrine, and the introduction of new military equipment. At the same time, the Corps had to provide command, control and communications systems in the various military operations which the IDF conducted from that time on until the Lebanon War. Throughout this period the Corps was required to provide communications for small units operating at different ranges and moving towards their different objectives on land, sea and air. The Corps also had to provide communications over thousands of kilometers for the force that liberated the hostages in Entebbe, as well as supplying communications for the armoured units manoeuvring in difficult mountainous terrain in Lebanon during the Lebanon War. Today the Corps operates some of the most advanced and sophisticated equipment in the world, in the fields of radio and radio-telephone, telegraph and computers. This includes sophisticated encryption equipment allowing transference of classified information, electronic warfare and systems for the detection and location of targets. The Corps is developing electronic and computer systems for other Corps, particularly the Artillery and Engineering Corps. Subsequently, the Corps was assigned responsibility for IDF's computer systems and the word "computer" was added to its name. Today it is the "Communications, Electronics and Computer Corps". The Corps is constantly renewing itself and driving the whole of the IDE command, control, computers and communications system forward. The Communicatios, Electronic and Computer Corps designs, operates and maintains electronic and computer communications, which are essential for the functioning of an army in the modern age and without which it could not survive. This explains the centrality and importance of the Corps, faithful to its purpose of providing command and control system to the commanders.
The monument is situated in the town of Yehud, which has adopted the Headquarters of the Communications, Electronics and Computer Corps. The monument is located in a complex which contains four wings: a wing commemorating the fallen soldiers of the Communications, Electronics and Computer Corps; the wing commemorating the fallen soldiers of the town of Yehud; a Technological Wing - which constitutes the Center for Professional Training and Enrichment on the subject of Electronics, Communications and Computers; and a Convention Hall designated for events connected with the tradition and history of the Corps. In front of the complex is the parade ground on which the monument stands.
The monument combines the motif of bereavement with the motif of continuing life. It is comprised of two pillars which symbolize a tree trunk: one which grows obliquely from underground and is suddenly cut off. From it there arises another pillar made of stainless steel reaching a height of 30 meters. The straight pillar is lit up from within, through several narrow openings and together create the Eternal Light. The monument is engraved with words from the prophet Ezra: "And the sound was heard afar off" (Chapter 3 verse 13).
The site was established on the initiative of the Association for Commemorating the Fallen of the Communications, Electronics and Computer Corps, set up by the bereaved families and veterans of the Corps. ~ The uniqueness of the memorial is that it is a daily living commemoration of those whose names are perpetuated here, who were involved in the fields of Electronics, Communications and Computers. The site was dedicated on 2 Elul 5749 (25 September 1989). The monument was designed by Claude Grundman. The complex was planned by the architects: J. Hertz, U. Fogel, D. Schwartz.
