Alan – July 29
— Guard duty on a kibbutz in the Gallil.
— Learning to use a machine gun
— Kibbutz retaliation to Arab attacks
— Israeli warplanes overhead: “They looked great”.
— Meeting Arab shepherds: “Very friendly”.
The French fighter-bomber Dassault MD.454 Mystère IV was Israel’s main fighter jet in the 1950’s.
Confidential
July 29, 1957 Monday afternoon
Dear Alan,
I’m sitting now on a kibbutz in the Galil. It is beautiful. I came here yesterday by bus.
At about 9 at night we had a meeting after which by accident I met one of the men who was on guard duty and asked him if I could come along. We took machine guns (he showed me how to use it) and we went out to make the rounds. The guard knew everything – where to wait and listen and what to do. Luckily, they have some huge watch dogs which they turn loose so there isn’t anything to worry about. It is common knowledge that any trouble to a kibbutz now brings an attack which blows up the nearest Arab base.
Today I saw my first bunch of Israeli warplanes while I was out in the fields near here. They looked great. modern jets.
This morning I saw some Arabs that came to water sheep. They live in Israel are very friendly. I also met a bunch of 18-year olds who are paratroopers. They sure looked tough. I pity any Arab that would start with them. Each could easily beat up Stanley and I put together.
Too bad you’re not here.
Your Pal Bob
P.S. I hope you are a good boy and taking good care
of Mom and Dad
Comments:
July 29, 1957 Monday afternoon
“I’m sitting now on a kibbutz in the Galil.”
These letters from Israel had a profound effect on our family. Alan eventually went to Israel and volunteered at Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi in the Galilee (“Galil” in Hebrew). My brother Elliot became a volunteer on Kibbutz Maalei Gilboa, which is also in the Galilee.
“I met one of the men who was on guard duty and asked him if I could come along.”
My father told me that due to his knowledge of Hebrew, he was viewed differently than the other tourists – he was considered “one of the boys”, and that’s why they trusted him to go out on patrols with them.
“We took machine guns (he showed me how to use it)” My father and my Uncle Alan loved to go shooting. Here is a picture of them in practicing shooting in 1975.
“Luckily, they have some huge watch dogs which they turn loose so there isn’t anything to worry about. It is common knowledge that any trouble to a kibbutz now brings an attack which blows up the nearest Arab base”
Since the kibbutz my father was staying at was not on the border, there were few terrorist attacks. Still, there were constant thefts of agricultural products and equipment.
“Today I saw my first bunch of Israeli warplanes while I was out in the fields near here. They looked great. Modern jets.“
My father made several comments about the strength of the Israeli army. He was obviously impressed to see Israeli warplanes twelve years after the Holocaust.
