left: Reg Sagar; right: Leslie Marcus
Two Machalniks from South Africa, REG SAGAR and LESLIE MARCUS, were cited for bravery. Official recommendations, if any, have not been found. Also during the HOREV OPERATION on the 25th December, same day as Katzenellenbogen’s action at the Misrefe positions, but 20 K’s to the west at Auja-El-Hafir (Nitzana) came the superb exploit of courage of the Rhodesian REG SAGAR..
In the initial assault “A” Company of the 89th had been cut off, and only managed to break out with heavy losses including their O.C. and Deputy, both killed.
“B” Company with its one Machal platoon then attacked. The Egyptians opened fire, several of our half-trucks were hit including that of Reg Sagar and South African, Mike Isaacson. Philip Balkin, an American, was killed and South African Ivan Sheinbaum severely wounded.
Reg Sagar jumped out of his vehicle, charged towards the Egyptians with a two inch mortar, knocking out two Egyptian positions with 8 direct hits , being hit in the chest. In spite of his wound ran a considerable distance to alert S. African Ralph Yodaiken of the situation, who immediately drove his half-truck under heavy fire to push Isaacson’s vehicle until the engine started again enabling him to move out and participate in the next charge into the village where they found dozens of Egyptians lying where Sagar had blasted them.
Sagar was recommended for bravery by his Company Commander, Akiva Saar. Mike Isaacson, was fondly called “Big Mike”, and dubbed “The Fighting Tiger” by the 89th Battalion Commander.
The Book “Edge of the Sword” by historian Netanel Lorch records this act as follows:
“At Auja-El-Hafir two companies of the 8th Brigade ran into murderous fire and within minutes suffered heavy casualties. A lone charge by a wounded South African volunteer from Rhodesia helped save the day and allowed the Israelis to regroup for a second successful try at storming the enemy strong-point.”
Therefore it can be stated that the courageous acts of two South African Machal, Reg Sagar at Auja-El-Hafir and Elliot Katzenellenbogen at the Misrefe positions 20 kilometers apart on the same day made a considerable contribution to the successes of that day.