The volunteers

The Jerusalem Post ^ | May 1, 2008 | Gail Lichtman

[myknowledge]

Sixty years ago, during Israel's War of Independence, some 3,500 men and women from 44 countries around the world left the comfort of their homes and families to help the fledgling Jewish state in its struggle for survival as part of Mahal (the Hebrew acronym for "overseas volunteers"). Mainly World War II veterans with military training and experience, their contribution was decisive in helping Israel establish an army and win its fight for existence against an invading force of five Arab armies. The Mahalniks, as they were known, brought with them the military expertise, familiarity with equipment and arms, combat experience and knowledge of military frameworks that proved vital to the newly formed IDF on the ground, at sea and in the air.

[myknowledge]

God bless these Israeli patriotic heroes who fought for their country's independence and sovereignty in 1948, against all odds.

Mahal memorial in Israel.

[2banana]

Something to think about

1. There would not be one Jew left in all of the middle east if these arabs armies had won that war.

2. If the arab armies had stayed home - Israel would not be the state it is today.

[1rudeboy]

I’m interested in reading a historical account of this period. Anyone have any good book recommendations, preferably with tiny print and a boatload of footnotes?

[Sola Veritas]

There was a movie made in the mid 60s, starring Kirk Douglas, that was based upon a U.S. Army Colonel that went over to the IDF after WWII and became their first general. I cannont remember his name.

[1st Division guy]

once knew a man that had a farm we used to visit. he joined the air force in ww2 but the war ended before his training was over. he voluntered for the israli air force. told us many stories. quite a nice fellow.

[hinckley buzzard]

There is a good section about the era of Israel's founding in Paul Johnson's Modern Times, history of the twentieth century.

[CORedneck]

Here is a web site to look at -> http://www.sar-el.org. If I had some generous vacation time, I would like to do it myself.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Cast a giant shadow.Great movie.

[T Minus Four]

Ping for great interest and book suggestions

[SunkenCiv]

some 3,500 men and women from 44 countries around the world left the comfort of their homes and families to help the fledgling Jewish state in its struggle for survival... Mainly World War II veterans with military training and experience, their contribution was decisive... against an invading force of five Arab armies. The Mahalniks, as they were known, brought with them the military expertise, familiarity with equipment and arms, combat experience and knowledge of military frameworks that proved vital to the newly formed IDF on the ground, at sea and in the air.

Thanks myknowledge.

[Lurking Libertarian]

I cannont remember his name.

Mickey Marcus.

[dervish]

Aliyah Bet & Machal Virtual Museum
North American Volunteers In Israel’s War of Independence
Welcome to the Virtual Museum

http://israelvets.com/home.html

West Point holds annual Mickey Marcus ceremony

http://www.usma.edu/PublicAffairs/PV/050520/mickey.htm

Rudy Augarten (WW2 Ace) - avenging the Holocaust

http://www.elknet.pl/acestory/augarten/augarten.htm

http://www.sabra.net/machal/english.html

[DrKay]

Both my parents benefited from the bravery of these volunteers. My mother and uncle were on the Atzmaut (Independence) aka Pan Crescent. My father was on the Haganah ship Herzl. The British boarding party killed some of the Holocaust survivors who resisted on the Herzl. Here is a picture showing the British removing the bodies of the dead Jews before taking the survivors to detention camps in Cypress.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

http://www.varchive.org/obs/480805.htm
http://www.varchive.org/obs/481126.htm

[DrKay]

Thank you very much for these articles. My mother told me that when she was finally allowed to leave Cypress she stayed to make sure her brother did not try to escape. If a Jewish refugee tried to escape form the British internment camp they would by shot dead. No trial, no lawyers, just killed. And now these guys have the nerve to come out with the Goldstone Report critical of Israel for defending itself against an existential threat?

Soon after my parents got married they lived in Tel-Aviv. Their building was known as the one on whose roof Yair Stern was killed by the British. The British routinely murdered Jews in “Palestine.”

[archy]

Machal's Palmichnic Jeep commandos: Hayot Hanegev, the Beasts of the Negev"