Mahal (Israel)

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Machal (Hebrew: מח"ל), is a Hebrew acronym which means "volunteers from outside Israel" (מתנדבי חוץ לארץ, Mitnadvei Chutz LaAretz, literally, "Volunteers from Outside the Land)". It is used to describe both Jewish and non-Jewish volunteers who went to Israel to fight in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War including Aliyah Bet. About 4000 volunteers from all over the world came to fight on the Israeli side.[1]

Contents

[edit] Origins, numbers, and Aliyah Bet

The Machalniks were mostly World War II veterans from American and British armed forces. Allied armies were reduced considerably after the end of the war and many soldiers were demobilised; moreover, the service experience became mundane and did not suit some servicemen, particularly pilots. In various circumstances they were invited, or heard of the Jewish state's struggle for independence and volunteered. There were Jews and Christians, ideological supporters of Zionism and Mercenaries.

The Ha'apala movement, also called "Aliyah Bet", which attempted to evade the 1939 and 1948 British Naval blockade restricting Jewish immigration to Palestine, was assisted by 236 Mahal former servicemen of the Allied Navies as crews of ten clandestine Jewish refugee ships, out of sixty-six participating vessels.

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War saw approximately 3,500 foreign volunteers from forty-three countries among the Jewish forces, out of an estimated 29,677–108,300 total (its size grew considerably in later stages of the war owing to immigration into Palestine). A total of 119 Mahal were killed in battle.

One of the most senior Mahal personnel was Mickey Marcus, a Jewish United States Army colonel who assisted Israeli forces during the war and became Israel's first Brigadier General. Marcus's wartime experience was vital in breaking the 1948 Siege of Jerusalem.

[edit] Israeli Air Force

The largest presence of Machal in the 1947 to 1949 War of Independence was felt in the Israeli Air Force (IAF), making up nearly a quarter of its personnel, to the point that English overtook Hebrew as the most common operational IAF service language.

A few hours before the final cease-fire on January 7, 1949, a flight of four British RAF Spitfires bypassed the southern Israeli border on a reconnaissance flight. They were attacked by a pair of Israeli Air Force Spitfires, resulting in three of the British planes shot down. The Israeli Spitfires were flown by Mahal volunteers "Slick" Goodlin (USA) and John McElroy (Canada). Both were former US Army Air Forces and Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, veterans of World War II.

Covert and overt cargo flights flown by Machal air crews transported weapons and supplies to Palestine from Europe, and thousands of Jewish refugees from Arab countries. During the Egyptian Army siege on the Negev region in 1948, Mahal pilots airlifted thousands of tons of supplies to communities behind enemy lines, usually by night landings of large cargo planes and converted airliners on makeshift, unpaved sand runways, hand lit by oil lamps. The national Israeli airline El Al was partially founded by Machal veterans.

The integration of Machal personnel into the Israel Defense Forces did not proceed without difficulty. Occasional tensions surfaced due to the superior pay and service conditions demanded by and given to the volunteers over native Israeli soldiers, mainly in the Air Force; some of the volunteers were adventurers with little commitment to Zionism or to a rigid, disciplined hierarchy. This culminated in the disbandment of the Air Transport Division, following "industrial action" by its Machal personnel over pay conditions. The division was re-established with Israeli personnel.

[edit] After the war

After the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War in 1949, the majority of the Machal returned to their home countries. Some remained to live in Israel; the village Kfar Daniel near the Israeli City of Lod was founded by Machal veterans from North America and the U.K.

In 1988, a new organizationMahal2000 was formed; an Israeli Non-profit organisation which, in coordination with the Jewish Agency, provides a framework for young non-Israeli Jews to volunteer for the Israel Defense Forces. Mahal2000 has received the support of World Machal, an organisation representing the veterans of the original 1947 to 1949 Mahal. Since the establishement of the organisation, approximately 120 individuals volunteer every year, although in November 2007 restrictions were tightened.[2]

[edit] See also

  • Underground Jewish Forces during British Mandate over Palestine:

[edit] External websites related to Machal

Additional information: Link to Machal Story on the internet: http://www.mahal2000.com/about/Machal.pdf

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] English language

  • Aloni Shlomo. 101 Israel Air Force; First Fighter Squadron, Israel: IsraDecal Publications, 2007.
  • Barber, Rowland. The Midnighters, New York: Crown Publishers, 1970.
  • Bercuson, David Jay. The Secret Army, Toronto, Canada: Lester & Orpen Dennys, 1983, and New York: Stein & Day, 1984.
  • Burstein, Samuel. Rabbi with Wings, New York: Herzl Press, 1965.
  • Cailingold, Asher. An Unlikely Heroine, London: Valentine Mitchell, 2000.
  • Collins, Larry, and Lapierre Dominique. O Jerusalem, New York: Simon & Shuster, 1972.
  • Cull, Brian with Nicolle, David & Aloni, Shlomo, Spitfires Over Israel, London: Grub Street, 1990-1994.
  • Dahm, Evelyn M. Gutsy Guys and Rattletrap Planes that Helped Save a Nation, Lincoln: iUniverse Inc., 2005.
  • Dunkelman, Ben. Dual Allegiance, Halifax, N.S.: Goodread Biographies, 1984.
  • Fenton, D. Jason. Volunteers in the War of Independence, USA: D. Jason Fenton 1995, drjason1@cox.net (Also available as CDRom).
  • Golan, Aviezer. The War of Independence, Tel Aviv: OT Press, 1974.
  • Gorn, Lester H. The Anglo-Saxons, New York: Sagamore Press, 1958.
  • Grauel, John. Grauel-Exodus, New Jersey: Ivory House, 1982.
  • Greenspun, Hank. Where I Stand, New York: David McKay Co., 1966.
  • Hadari Zeev with Tsahor Zeev, Voyage to Freedom: An Episode in the Illegal Immigration to Palestine, London UK, Totowa NJ: Vallentine, Mitchell, 1985.
  • Heckelman, Joseph. American Volunteers and Israel’s War of Independence, New York: Ktav Publishing House, 1974.
  • Hochstein, Joseph M./Greenfield, Murray S. The Jews Secret Fleet, Jerusalem: Gefen Publishers. New York: Hewlett, (Updated, 1999).
  • Kaplansky, Eddy. The First Fliers: Israel Air Force Historical Branch, 1993.
  • Katzew, Henry. South Africa’s 800: The Story of South African Volunteers in Israel’s War of Independence, Tel-Aviv: Telfed, 1997. 3rd edition 2003.
  • Kurzman, Dan. Genesis 1948, New York: Da Capo Press, 1992.
  • Levett, Gordon. Flying under Two Flags, An Ex-RAF Pilot in Israel’s War of Independence; London: Frank Cass & Co.Ltd., 1994.
  • Levin, Aaron. Testament: At the Creation of the State of Israel. New York: Artisan, 1998.
  • Lichtman, William. Between the Star and the Cross, 1st edition. New York: Citadel Press 1957.
  • Livingston, Harold. The Coasts of the Earth, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1954.
  • Livingston, Harold. Mission Impossible, USA: Stamford University Libraries, 1981, 1982.
  • Livingston, Harold. No Trophy, No Sword, An American Volunteer in the Israel Air Force during the 1948 War of Independence. Chicago: Edition Q, 1994. Softcover edition: Destination Israel. Norwalk. Gates & Bridges, 1998.
  • Lorch, Netanel. Israel’s War of Independence, 1947-1948, USA: Hartmore House Inc., 1961.
  • Mardor, Munya M. Strictly Illegal, London: Robert Hale, 1957.
  • Ondra, Winona Hollar, Lonesome & Coping: Pennsburg, Pennsylvania: Boyden Publishing, 1997.
  • Patzert, Rudolph W. Running the Palestine Blockade: The Last Voyage of the Paducah, Shrewsbury: Airlife, 1994.
  • Porath, Zipporah. Letters from Jerusalem 1947-1948, Jerusalem: Association of Americans & Canadians in Israel (AACI), 1987. 4th edition - Jonathan Publications, 2005. (e-mail:zip@netvision.net.il).
  • Sachs, Moshe B. Under Siege and After: Life in Jerusalem 1947-1949, Jerusalem: Dr. Moshe Sachs, 2006. (email: mbsachs@hotmail.com)
  • Slater, Leonard. The Pledge, New York: Simon & Shuster, 1970.
  • Spicehandler, Daniel. Let my Right Hand Wither, New York: The Beechcraft Press, 1950.
  • Teperson, David. "The Volunteer", Israel: David Teperson, 1997.
  • Weiss, Craig, and Jeffrey. I am My Brother’s Keeper: American Volunteers in Israel’s War of Independence 1947-1949. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1998.
  • Weizman, Ezer. On Eagles’ Wings: the Personal Story of the Leading Commander of the Israeli Air Force, 1st American edition, New York: MacMillan, 1977.
  • Yonay, Ehud. No Margin for Error: The Making of the Israel Air Force, 1st edition. New York: NY Pantheon Books, 1993.

[edit] Other than English

  • Machal France. La guerre d’independence d’Israel 1948-1949, Temoignages de volontaires francais et francophones: Editions Machal, Juillet, 2006.
  • Espersen, Søren, Israels Selvstændighedskrig – og de danske frivillige” (Israel’s War of Independence – and the Danish Volunteers), Hovedland, April 2007.

[edit] Booklets

  • Focus / Machal Overseas Volunteers, published by the Israel Information Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 1999. ( English and French).
  • Machal / Overseas volunteers in Israel's war of independence 1948-49, published by World Machal, 2003. (English).

[edit] Video cassettes, tape cassettes, DVDs

  • They Were All We Had - The Birth of the Israel Air Force. Video. Two versions: 43 min. and 82 min. Jonathan Paz, (Director) Israel. (English), 1986/87.
  • Boshes & Kaplansky - Two Machal fliers, an American and a Canadian, talk with their 1948 Air Force squadron commander. Video clip. 7 min. (English), 1995.
  • Machal: JM Compagnie. Film on Machal for French TV. Jean-Philippe Reza (Director) France. (English and French), 1998. Video and DVD available.
  • Israel’s War of Independence, Canada’s Volunteers – Promises to Keep. Video on Canadian Machal for Canadian TV. 49 min. Storeway Productions with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, David Harel (Director), Canada. (English), 1987.
  • IAF 1948-1949, the story of the pre-Israel Air Force with Machal volunteers. Video produced for the South African Zionist Federation by David Goldstein, with introduction by Ezer Weizman. 25 min. (English).
  • Volunteers of Valour 1948. ESRA (English Speaking Residents Association). Video on Machal for Israeli TV channel. 15 min. Hilary Gatoff (Director), Israel. (English), 1998.
  • Machal Jubilee Reunion, 1948-1998. Video Film . 120 min. (English), 1998. DVD available.
  • Amutat Hativat 8 Ledoroteha. The 8th Brigade in Israel’s War of Independence. Video by Naftali Arbel and Zvi Elnatan. (Hebrew).
  • Tales of the Gun: Guns of History. History Channel, USA. Video (English) (PAL). DVD available.
  • The Myth, Memory, and Battle of Latrun. KCET, USA. Video (English).
  • Clear Skies (Israel Air Force), The Story of the Israel Air Force. Video. Doko Media, 33 Hayetzira Street, Ramat Gan 52521.
  • Tkuma: The First 50 Years. Israel Broadcasting Authority. 3 video cassettes, (Hebrew), 1998.
  • In our Own Hands - Jewish Brigade. USA. Video television documentary. www.psifulfillment.com/orderform.asp?ID=010
  • Is Jerusalem Burning: Latrun. Video. Olin Films, Chicago. 60 min. (English). [www.psifulfillment.com/orderform.asp?ID=010]
  • Ceremony at Latrun commemorating 60 years of the victory over Nazi Germany. Video 9th May, 2005.
  • Israel’s Forgotten Heroes. WPBT Channel 2. 40 min. (English). Frances Hernandez, Program Administration Co-ordinator. 14901 NE 20th Avenue, Miami, FL 33181. Tel: 3050-949-8321. e-mail: Frances_Berrios@wpbt.org
  • Mahal. Les Volontaires de L'etranger. A film by Didier Martiny (French) Zanger Films, 1998-2005. DVD available. (www.cirf.org)
  • World Machal – Radio interview on “Reshet Alef”. Eliahu Ben-On interviews Machal veterans Sol Baskin, Shmuel Recanati, Zipporah Porath, and David “Migdal” Teperson. 60 minutes. (Hebrew). June 1, 2006.
  • Finnish Machal – A film produced in Helsinki by the IDF. 40 minutes (Finnish). 1992.
  • We Witnessed the Rebirth of Israel 1948-1998. On the 50th anniversary of the State, Joshua and Goldie Stanford and others tell the story of their participation in Israel's War of Independence. Produced by Sylvia Franklin, Oregon Israel Jubilee Committee, 1998. 40 minutes (English).

[edit] Articles

  • On Machal and Machalniks, available from the archives of the Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz Anglo File, including:
    • Fighting Spirit, Jerusalem Post Magazine article by Sue Fishkoff (4th July 1997), about Machal veterans.
    • Giant Cast in the Shadow, Jerusalem Post article by Michael S. Arnold (12th June 1998), about Col. David (Mickey) Marcus and his role in the War of Independence (Burma Road), with contributions by Machalnik Zipporah Porath
    • They Made a Difference, Jerusalem Post Magazine article by Zipporah Porath, (25th April 2001), about outstanding American & Canadian immigrants who made a difference in the early years of the State.
    • Dad’s Army, John Burrows’ search for his non-Jewish father’s Machal exploits – Jerusalem Post Magazine by Arieh O’Sullivan (18th May 2001).
    • The Oldest Combat Reservist who just can’t get enough. Ha’aretz Anglo File (18th January 2002), about Machalnik David “The Tower” Teperson, aged 75, the oldest combat reservist in the IDF.

[edit] Websites

[edit] References

  1. ^ Benny Morris, 1948, 2008, p.85.
  2. ^ IDF toughens criteria for overseas Mahal volunteers