Biro Dayan
Israel- Israeli War Hero and Holocaust Survivor
- Survival and Resistance
- Israeli Independence and the Palmach
- Elite Unit Commander and Operation Retribution
- Transition to Armor and the Six-Day War
- Yom Kippur War and Later Life
- Family and Legacy
Israeli War Hero and Holocaust Survivor
Moshe Dayan was an Israeli military leader, a partisan fighter, and a veteran of World War II. Born in Romania, he witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand when his family was deported to Auschwitzby the fascist government in 1943.
Survival and Resistance
Despite the unimaginable suffering he endured in the concentration camp, Dayan managed to survive. Upon liberation, he joined a partisan unitand fought against the Nazis. His resilience and determination were evident even then, as he endured a severe case of pneumonia in January 1945. A doctor recognized his strength and saved him from the deadly "death march" by covering him with a sheet and attaching a note falsely declaring him dead from typhus.
Israeli Independence and the Palmach
After the war, Dayan repatriated to Israeland joined the elite fighting force known as Palmach. In 1947, he completed an officers' course and accompanied convoys to besieged Jerusalem, where he was wounded in the battle for Katamon.
Elite Unit Commander and Operation Retribution
In 1954, Dayan joined the prestigious Unit 101under the command of Ariel Sharon. He participated in retaliation operationsand played a pivotal role in the Sinai Campaign, where his brigade was parachuted behind enemy lines.
Transition to Armor and the Six-Day War
In 1957, Dayan transferred to the tank corps. During the Six-Day War, he commanded a battalion. Despite being severely wounded, he refused medical attention, bound his own wounds, and continued leading his troops to victory. Only after the battle ended did he allow himself to be evacuated to the hospital.
Yom Kippur War and Later Life
Dayan rose to the rank of paratroops colonelby the Yom Kippur War. Once again, he sustained serious injuries in a fierce battle south of the Suez Canal. Undeterred, he returned to active duty after recovering.
In 1985, Dayan retiredfrom the military with the rank of major general. He passed away in Herzliya and was laid to rest in the city's cemetery.
Family and Legacy
Moshe Dayan was married and had four daughters. He built a family home in Herzliya, where he lived until his death. Dayan's legacy as a war hero, partisan fighter, and Holocaust survivor continues to inspire generations. His unwavering spirit and dedication to the defense of Israel have left an indelible mark on his country and the world.
