JOE TUNIS
Joe Tunis’ family immigrated to Canada from Poland with his sister in 1927 when he was one-year-old. He was brought up in Vegreville, Alberta, and after high school he moved to Vancouver to study at the University of British Columbia.
In May 1948 he interrupted his university studies to help defend the nascent Jewish State in the War of Independence. Joe got to Israel in June 1948 on the “SS Marie Anique” which had sailed from France carrying refugees as well as a group of Machalniks from different countries. Soon, he and six other Canadian volunteers found themselves in the 4th Troop of the Anti-Tank Regiment. He took part in raids against the Iraq el Suweidan police fortress during October’s Yoav campaign, and in the fighting at the Faluja pocket during the Horev campaign some two months later.
Their unit was initially formed as a mortar battery, largely because its commander was a former U.S. Army with World War II mortar experience. However, due to a shortage of mortars and the Givati Brigade’s fortuitous capture of two 6-pounder and one 17-pounder anti-tank guns, it was soon converted to an anti-tank unit.
After the war, Joe decided to make his home in Israel and settled on Moshav Kfar Daniel, together with Machalniks from Canada, the U.S.A., South Africa and Britain.
Source: American Veterans of Israel Newsletter: Winter 2003