The Heroes of Machal by Avi Heiligman

Forgotten Her es The Heroes of Machal

By Avi Heiligman

Machal fighters of the 8th Brigade’s 89th Battalion

After the United Nations adopted the resolution in November 1947 calling for the creation of Israel, the call went out that recruits were needed for the anticipated invasion for the neighboring Arab countries. Thousands of men and women came from overseas to help the war effort and served in all branches of the IDF. Even though they were a small portion of the overall fighting forces, many played integral parts in the early days of the IDF. Called Machal, here are some more stories of these volunteers who served.

Unlike many volunteers who had a Zionist background, Samuel Boshes joined the Israeli Air Force because he felt it was his duty to help fellow Jews in dire straits. Boshes was born in Philadelphia and had an outstanding record flying B-26 medium bombers during World War II. He flew in over 60 missions over Europe, earning many awards and medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. When he heard that the Jewish state needed experienced pilots, Boshes went to Israel and was one of the original members of the 103 Squadron. His job was to fly C-47 transport planes filled with supplies to areas that were cut off by Arab forces. These areas were in the Negev Desert, and the missions usually took place at night. Soon he became commander of the squadron and after the war settled in Tel Aviv while flying for El Al.

Harry Sabel was another Machal volunteer with war experience. He was born in the East End of London and at a young age opened up a surplus store. Soon, he sold the store and married, and when World War II started, he joined the British Army. Since Sabel knew several languages, he was transferred to the Intelligence Corps after completing Officers Training School. He was first stationed in England to keep an ear out for any spies or traitors that could be lurking about the country. Later, as a captain, he was stationed at British headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, where he became friendly with the local Jewish community. While on leave from duty, Sabel traveled to Eretz Yisrael where he came in contact with leaders of the Yishuv.

After World War II, he returned

There was such a tight security in the intelligence community that the identity of their own commander was not known to the operatives!

to England and became involved in a local Zionist movement. When the Israeli War of Independence broke out, he traveled to Israel via the Haganah training camp in France posing as a tourist. There he volunteered for the army and was appointed as the commander of military counter-intelligence for the Jerusalem sector. One story that he liked to relate was that his operatives had noticed an English gentleman who looked suspicious. He had his men trail the suspect and give him reports on his movements. To Sabel’s surprise, he was receiving reports on his own movements. There was such a tight security in the intelligence community that the identity of their own commander was not known to the operatives!

During the war, Sabel moved his family from England to Israel, and they stayed there after the war ended. Sabel was then appointed Press Information Officer for the government and later was the English language radio host for Israel’s Radio’s morning newscast.

There were about 2,000 sailors in the navy during the war, and they came from a variety of backgrounds. The Machalniks had a lot of experience during World War II and were headlined by an Annapolis graduate (U.S. Naval Academy) Paul Shulman. During World War II, he was stationed on a destroyer in the Pacific and saw action off the coast of Iwo Jima. He resigned from his position in the American Navy in 1947 to join the seamen helping Aliyah Bet immigrants. At the request of Ben Gurion, he came to Israel to organize the navy. He was 26 years old, and in October 1948 he was appointed Navy Commander.

Harry Sabel, when he was an officer in the British army A picnic area in Keren Kayemet named after Harry Sabel Paul Shulman with Prime Minister David Ben Gurion

Shulman wasn’t the only Annapolis graduate. Jonathan Leff, who served as the naval gunnery officer, also went to the Naval Academy. Another American officer, Ben De Roy, was an expert radar and communications specialist. Even though Israel had no submarines for several years, an American submariner, Sender Pinard, found employment in the operations section. After the K-24 came to Israel, more Machal volunteers came to help the navy. However, there was friction between the Machalniks and Palyam veterans that eventually caused some volunteers to leave the navy. Still, they left an indelible impression in the young navy that won some hardfought battles during the War of Independence.

Many Machal soldiers returned to their country of origin after the war, while some stayed and made Israel their home. It was tough being a soldier, sailor or airman fighting thousands of miles away from home against a formidable foe for a country that was just created. Yet, the Machal soldiers proved themselves time and again and helped shape the IDF for decades to come. Author’s note: This is the second installment of Machal stories. For the first article in the series, email the author at aviheiligman@gmail. com.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.