Biographical Index

Akavia, Abram: Israeli Haganah, Lt.-Col. 1916- . While becoming a civil engineer started involvement with Jewish underground army, the Haganah. Assigned to work as interpretor to Wingate while the later led the SNS. Later during Ethiopian campaign joined Gideon Force to work as clerk under Wingate at the later's request. Was later commissioned as officer serving in British Army, finishing war as a major. Still a living defender of Wingate.
Allon, Yigal: Israeli Haganah, General. 1918-1980. During the period of Wingate's activities in Israel was a unit commander in the Haganah. In 1941 was one of the founders of the Palmach, the elite strike unit within the Haganah. After WWII commanded the Palmach and during War of Independence was instrumental in leading forces on different fronts. After commanding the IDF retired in 1950. Like many military officers after him, he entered politics in the 1950s and was elected to the Knesset. Later served as cabinet minister at different times, including the 1970s the foreign minister.
Ben-Gurion, David: Zionist leader, 1st Prime Minister of Israel. 1886-1973. Ardent Zionist upon emmigration from Poland to Turkish Palestine since 1906. Young political activist who worked to raise world's awareness of Jewish condition and to lobby foreign powers. Organized state labour organization and consolidation of left-wing political groups into single party. A founder of Haganah and served as chairman of the executive committee of the Jewish Agency in the 1930s as well. Upon declaring Israel's independence in 1948 became nation's first prime minister and defense minister during the War of Independence. Served until 1953, then was elected again in 1955, and worked to build Israel's economy, immigration efforts and pro-Western alignment. Resigned in 1963 over an espionage affair, later working in the Negev.
Dayan, Moshe: Israeli Haganah, General, Minister. 1915-1981. Born on Israel's first kibbutz, Degania. Joined Haganah at early age and trained with Wingate while serving with the Jewish Police in the 1930s. Arrested by British at start of WWII, was released and while with Haganah was assigned to work with British Army. During 1941 Allied invasion of Vichy Lebanon-Syria in 1941 where was wounded and aquired famous black eye patch. Fought in War of Independence where military prowess was noticed and in 1953 became Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces. During 1950s instituted policy of cross-border raids in response to guerilla and terrorist raids, and during 1956 Suez War was still serving as Chief-of-Staff. On eve of Six-Day war of 1967 was appointed Defense Minister and received more laurels for the successfull planning. Was among those held responsible for readiness and preparedness failures of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and forced to resign. Briefly served as foreign minister during the Camp David Accords of 1978.
Sadeh, Yitzhak: Israeli Haganah, General. 1890-1952. Emmigrated to Israel in 1920 after serving in Russian army and founded a labour unit. Joined the Haganah, and in the late 1930s helped to push the defense policy from one of passive defense to a more active offensive oriented mode. As part of this, first the field companies and later in 1941 the Palmach was formed under his command. In 1945 was promoted to command the Haganah to coordinate resistence against the British and Arabs. Took part in several operations including the battles for Jerusalem. Retired upon end of the War of Independence.
Wavell, Bernard: Major-General, Field Marshall, British Army. 1883-1950. After serving in minor roles during WWI, Wavell held a series of steadily growing staff postions, culminating in being given Middle-East Commander-in-Chief in 1939. In Winter 1940-41 he led numerically inferior British forces that defeated first Italian forces in Egypt-Libya and then that Spring the Italians in Ethiopia. Forced to divert forces to the unsuccessfull Balkans campaign, he later was unable to halt the advance of German General Rommel. Impatient at his cautiousness and inability to halt the Axis in the Mediterranean, Churchill relieved him that July of 1941. From late 1941 through 1943 he commanded Allied forces in South-East Asia. Given few resources, he was unable to halt Japanese conquests of the Dutch-East Indies and Malaya, Singapore & Burma. In late 1942, early 1943 he ordered unsuccessfull counter-attacks against the Japanese in Burma. In 1943 he was promoted to Field Marshall and given the position of Viceroy of India. He held this title until 1947.