I was born in South Africa, grew up in mostly small towns and went farming. Was on the first plane with volunteers sent by the Jewish organizations to fight in Palestine in the War of Independence for the establishment of the State of Israel.
After spending a month of training in the D.P. camp in Marseille, I arrived in Tel-Aviv on one of the last illegal immigrant ships called the Tetty, at 9 a.m. on the 15th of May, 1948. I volunteered and enlisted in the newly founded IDF and was sent to the 34th Battalion of the Alexandroni Brigade. I was sent to corporals’ course and then deserted in August 1948 to join the Jeep Commando Company of the 9th Battalion, Negev Brigade, Palmach. I also took part in all operations and battles in the Negev until Eilat.
I got married in July 1949 and was released from the IDF in September 1949. I then joined the “Gar’in” of Moshav Ha’bonim together with some other Machal boys. In 1950 left the Moshav and went to work as a construction worker.
I started reserve duty in 1950 in the 7th Armored Brigade. In 1952 I joined the 27th Brigade, the first Reserve Armored Brigade, in which I serve until today. In 1954 I volunteered for officers’ course and in April 1955 graduated as Lieutenant. Called up for reserve duty every year since then. In 1960, I moved to Kfar Shmaryahu and became security officer. In 1974, I established the Auxiliary Police Force in Kfar Shmaryahu (“Mishmar Ezrachi”). In 1961 I set up a building company, together with a partner. The company was a success.
I set up the Society for Perpetuation of the Memory of the Fallen of “Egrof Varomach” Brigade. I also constructed two memorial monuments from donations and from my own pocket, one in Giv’at Ha’koach with the original equipment from Sinai, and a second monument in the Monument Forest (Ya’ar Ha’andartaot), which is in honor of the first Armored Reserve Brigade, in memory of the 147 brigade soldiers who fell. Right now I am setting up a memorial monument and an association for the “Steel Division” (“Ugdat HaPlada”), and changing the “Egrof Varomach” monument’s location from Road 6 to a nearby forest.
I have three children, two sons, Gadi and Saffi, and a daughter, Idit. I have written two books about my life in Africa and in Israel, “The Volunteer” and “Eyes of the Beholder”. The last book is about the Palmach Jeep Commando Unit’s actions in the Negev with my Machal group.
I have served for over 60 years in the Israeli Army reserves, and am still going strong: from 1952 till today in Egrof Varomach (Fist & Spear) Reserve Armored Brigade as supply and control officer. I was awarded a special lifetime achievement award by the IDF for this service.