Adapted by Joe Woolf from “Genesis 1948” by Dan Kurzman. Published 1970 by The World Publishing Company, New York and Cleveland.
On May 13th 1948, as the British forces were preparing to leave in anticipation of the declaration of the State of Israel, Moshe Rousnak, Haganah commander in the Old City of Jerusalem was approached by a short blond British soldier at one of the posts. The soldier saluted and said nervously, “My name is Albert Melville. We’re leaving now but I’d like to stay here and fight with you.”
Rousnak’s first impulse was to regard the man as a spy, and asked him why he would want to fight with them. Melville told him of his personal experiences in Algeria and said that he believed in the cause of the Jews.
Rousnak examined the man’s papers carefully, then relieved him of his rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition, telling him that if he wanted to stay, he would now be known as Albert Cohen.
At first, Rousnak had him watched carefully, and would not let him near the front-line posts. Some of the Jewish fighters, especially several Irgun soldiers even wanted to have him arrested as they had felt sure that he was a spy. Their commander Isser Nathanson protected him from threats of assault. After some days the commander agreed to let Albert fight, and so he did, proving to be among the bravest, even after being wounded.
The newly-named Albert Cohen was hospitalized at the time the Jewish Quarter City surrendered to Jordanian forces. Leaving the hospital he met several British officers who were serving with the Jordanians. “You’re British aren’t you?” one of them asked, noting his uniform, and “what the hell are you doing here?”
“I’ve deserted, just like you.”
“You mean you’re fighting with these Jew Bastards?”
“Yes, I am “, Albert answered.
“They’ve lost now. Come with us and we’ll see that you are well treated. You’ve been fighting on the wrong side.”
Albert replied that he was fighting on the right side, and expected to be treated just like them.
“The Jews are going to prison”, said the officer.
“If they are, so am I”, replied Albert.
“Don’t be a fool. You’re an Englishman.”
Albert paused, and then said forcefully, “I insist on being taken prisoner”, and he joined the Jews who were lining up in the square to be taken prisoner.
On being released after the war, Albert Cohen settled in Israel, joined the Police, and eventually rose to a high rank.