WORLD MACHAL - Volunteers from overseas in the Israel Defense Forces

Elliot Katzenellenbogen

(A citation and a tribute)

A citation discovered in 2008 in the IDF Archives, signed by the
Palmach Hanegev – 9th Battalion Company Commander,
Captain Arye Weinberg, as follows:

On the 25th December, 1948, at the Mishrefe positions, Sergeant Elliot Katzenellenbogen No. 62213, commander of an anti-tank gun mounted on a half-track armored vehicle, directed effective fire with great courage in a clash of 3 armored vehicles of ours against five Egyptian armored cars.

In support of the recommendation, Major Chaim Bar-Lev (later Chief of the General Staff) wrote that “Sergeant Katzenellenbogen participated with the platoon of Hillel Organi (platoon commander), and commanded their only 20 mm cannon, which scored direct hits on three heavy Egyptian armored cars, setting one on fire.  This successfully halted the enemy counter-attack before our Battalion had completed preparation for it.”

South African Machal Katzenellenbogen was known to be a very modest fellow, unlikely to speak about his war service.  Not even his own family knew anything about his military experiences, not from WW II, nor from our 1948 war.  For his widow, Shulamit, and their son, Danny, the last day of Passover 2008 proved to be highly emotional when they received a copy of the citation – a marvelous 60th Anniversary present which coincided with the tenth memorial day of Elliot’s death.

Katzenellenbogen, like Fainman of the 72nd Battalion, had interrupted his medical studies to participate in the War of Independence.  Katzenellenbogen returned to practice medicine in Israel and passed away in 1998.  Fainman was tragically killed in a road accident on his way to Baragwanath Hospital, near Johannesburg, South Africa, in the early 1960’s.