RESCUE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
As related by Naftali Arbel, Commander, “B” Coy.
“It happened on the 27th October 1948 during an encounter with a Jordanian armoured unit after the capture of the Bet Jubrin Police Station. Not having artillery support, several members of “B” Company were wounded by the heavy fire of the Jordanians, and it was vital to remove them in order to render First Aid.
One of the wounded, Company Medic Shlomo Friedrich, was lying closest to the Jordanians and whoever tried to approach him was immediately hit.
One of my soldiers, Leslie Marcus, a South African volunteer, asked my permission to rescue him. Together we worked out the best route and he set off immediately.
Initially Leslie’s movements went undetected but eventually could not go unnoticed. The Jordanians opened fire, Leslie picked up speed and reached Friedrich unharmed. He hoisted him up onto his shoulders, crawled out of the position and ran across the open ground, reaching the Aid Post for wounded, with Friedrich on his back.
Although exhausted from the physical and mental effort, he immediately went back down the hill to join his comrades in defending the Command Post.
As his Commander, I am proud to recount this story of valour.