Operation Boatswain Memorial facts for kids

Operation Boatswain Memorial in Mount Herzl

The Operation Boatswain Memorial is a special place that remembers 23 brave fighters. They died at sea in 1941 during World War II. These fighters were part of a group called Palmach, which was a defense force in Palestine at that time.

The mission they were on was called Operation Boatswain. Their goal was to damage oil refineries in Tripoli, Lebanon. Sadly, the mission did not succeed, and the bodies of the fighters were never found. In Hebrew, these men are known as Kaf Gimal Yordei HaSira, which means "the twenty-three who went down with the ship."

What is the Operation Boatswain Memorial?

This memorial honors 23 brave people who lost their lives during a secret mission in World War II. It helps us remember their courage and sacrifice. The memorial tells the story of a mission that aimed to stop oil from reaching the enemy.

The Brave Mission: Operation Boatswain

The mission was to attack oil refineries in Tripoli, Lebanon. These refineries were controlled by Vichy France. Vichy France was a government that worked with Nazi Germany during the war. Stopping the oil would hurt the Nazi war effort.

Who Were the Fighters?

The commander of the group was Zvi Spector, a member of the Haganah. The Haganah was a Jewish defense organization. A British officer, Major Sir Anthony Palmer, also joined the mission. He was from a special British group called the Special Operations Executive. All 23 fighters, including Major Palmer, were lost at sea.

Where is the Memorial Located?

The memorial is in Jerusalem, at Mount Herzl. It is next to the Garden of the Missing in Action. Mount Herzl is a national cemetery where many important people are remembered.

Design and Meaning of the Memorial

The memorial was built in 1951. It was designed by Dr. Asher Hirem. He also planned the national military cemetery at Mount Herzl. The memorial is made of stone and concrete. It is shaped like a boat and sits in a pool of water. The stone has the names of all 23 fighters carved into it. This includes the name of the British officer who was with them.

Remembering the Heroes

Two places in Tel Aviv Port are named after the crew. These are Palmer Square and Kaf Gimal Yordei HaSira Street. These names remember the brave fighters. Tel Aviv Port is also where the crew was last seen before their mission.