Bloch, Lionel-Morris (Les)

Son of Berta and Meir, was born on November 30, 1921, in the city of Puchfestrum, Transvaal, in southern Africa. He graduated high school with honors. He was accepted to university and graduated from law-graduating as a chemical engineer. On the day the results of his exams were received, in the middle of World War II, he enlisted in the South African Air Force and served on the fronts of North Africa and Italy. On his return to civilian life, he worked in a pesticide factory and later on government food supervision; He also participated in an important study in conservation processes. During his spare time, he set up a laboratory in the garage in his home, and together with his friends he spent many hours in interesting experiments. Was an athlete and athlete, with good humor and lively humor. During the War of Independence in Israel he decided to come up and lend his hand to the struggle of the people and finally to settle in Israel. On June 9, 1948, he joined the Israel Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel. On August 27, 1948, he fell in an air battle in Syria, during Operation Brosh to destroy the Syrian bridgehead at Mishmar Hayarden. His body was not found and he was declared missing IDF. Lionel Morris was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Damascus. At the beginning of October 1949 his body was returned by the Syrians, but since the Syrians attached inaccurate documents, his body was not identified with certainty. On the 9th of Tishrei, 5709 (9.10.1949), he was laid to rest in the military cemetery at Nachalat Yitzhak, in the row of graves of those who died in the battle of Beit Aafa who were buried that day. Years later, when the permanent gravestones were placed on the graves, a mistake was made and a tombstone was erected on the grave, which said that an anonymous cavity was buried underneath the house of Bet Aafa. Only recently did the mistake become clear and Lionel-Morris Bloch’s burial place was determined.