 |
Teddi EitanOfficial, took part in the liberation of Syria and Lebanon
Date of Birth: 24.08.1912
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- World War II:
- - Ended the war with the rank of Captain.
- Joining the Haganah and the Israeli Military
- Arrival in Palestine:
- Contributions to the Israeli War of Independence
- Formation of the 75th Battalion
- Operational Challenges:
- Formation of the "French Commando"
- Operation Yoav and Capture of Beersheba:
- - Fought in intense urban combat, suffering significant casualties.
- - Suffered heavy casualties and was wounded in the leg.
- Later Life and Recognition:
- - Died in a car accident in France in 1971.
Early Life and Military Career
Birth and Education:- Born on October 24, 1912 in Cambrai, France.
- Completed university studies and worked as a civil servant in French Equatorial Africa in Brazzaville.
World War II:
- Joined the "Free French" movement in 1940 after the fall of France.- Enlisted in the 1st Volunteer Battalion and was sent to Palestine.
- Participated in the liberation of Syria and Lebanon from Vichy forces.
- Served in the Chad Regiment of Senegalese Tirailleurs and fought in North Africa.
- Was part of General Leclerc's division in the liberation of France in 1944.
- Ended the war with the rank of Captain.
Post-War ServiceMember of French Delegation:
- Participated as a member of the French delegation at the UN conference in San Francisco (June 1945).
Joining the Haganah and the Israeli Military
Recruitment and Training:- In February 1948, contacted the Jewish Agency in Paris to volunteer for the Haganah and fight in Palestine.
- Trained at the Satoine military camp in France under the pseudonym "Tade Diffr."
Arrival in Palestine:
- Arrived in Haifa on April 29, 1948 with a false identity as a Jewish refugee.
- Assigned the personal number 17797 and given the new name "Teddy Eitan" to conceal his French origins.
Contributions to the Israeli War of Independence
Advising on Armored Warfare:- Met with Yitzhak Sade, commander of the Palmach, and provided advice on equipping and using armored vehicles.
Formation of the 75th Battalion
Creation and Command:- Proposed the idea of creating a commando battalion composed of French-speaking soldiers.
- Promoted to Major and tasked with forming the 75th Battalion in August 1948.
Operational Challenges:
- Faced difficulties due to language barriers and disciplinary issues within the battalion.
- Proposed disbanding the battalion and creating a special operations unit.
Formation of the "French Commando"
Transfer to the Negev Brigade:- 75th Battalion was transferred to the Negev Brigade in September 1948.
- Became known as the "French Commando" due to its distinct composition and high level of training.
Operation Yoav and Capture of Beersheba:
- Played a pivotal role in the capture of Beersheba during Operation Yoav.
- Fought in intense urban combat, suffering significant casualties.
Operation Horev and Tmile Outpost:- Led the "French Commando" in an attack on the Tmile outpost during Operation Horev.
- Suffered heavy casualties and was wounded in the leg.
Post-War CareerDemobilization and Return to France:
- Resigned from the Israeli military in February 1949 due to diplomatic concerns and allegations of espionage.
- Returned to France and wrote a memoir titled "Negev: The Heroic Birth of the State of Israel."
Later Life and Recognition:
- Served as an advisor to the President of Ivory Coast from the late 1950s to 1969.
- Died in a car accident in France in 1971.
- Posthumously honored by the Israeli government and remembered as a significant figure in the War of Independence.
