Bronner, Ilan

Ilan, son of Ilza and Ephraim, was born on February 14, 1952 in the village of Szold and attended the elementary school at Kibbutz Givat Hayim-Ihud. Afterward, he continued at the Givot Sharon High School and completed his studies at a college in Hadera. He was a diligent student, accepted and loved by his educators and teachers. Everyone appreciated his willingness to always help students who had difficulty in the subjects he himself excelled in, especially in mathematics and physics. At the end of his studies, Ilan left for an early year of service, at the youth-workers club in Tivon (Kiryat Amal), where he guided three groups and assisted in increasing the general activity of the nest. He was a good athlete, but he preferred not to emphasize it in competitions. He was also of great physical strength, but did not use his power except for work. Ilan loved animals and plants and devoted much of his time to them, and spent his free time playing the flute and listening to classical music. He has especially liked works by Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. He was blessed with a sense of humor and was full of optimism. Ilan was drafted into the IDF in early November 1971 and volunteered for the Armored Corps, and after completing basic training, he was sent to the Tank Commanders Course and Armored Officers Course, and completed the officers’ training course. After completing his training, he was assigned to the Armored Corps in the Sinai as a platoon commander with the rank of lieutenant colonel. “Ilan was a responsible officer, at the highest level I could have imagined, beyond any standard accepted by the junior officers, and he carried out every task entrusted to him quietly and efficiently, uncontested and in the best possible way.” When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Ilan fought with his unit near the Qantara pier, in the northern sector of the Suez Canal, in an effort to stop the mass of Egyptian soldiers crossing the Suez Canal. He was hit as he stood erect in the turret of the tank and worked on repairing the machine gun that had broken down. Ilan was transferred to the hospital, where he died of his wounds on October 7, 1973. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Survived by his parents and brother. After his fall, he was promoted to lieutenant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Ilan Brunner was a good officer, disciplined, devoted and loved, who fought well and without fear, and we will remember him for his smile, kindness, peace and wonderful ability to work.” His kibbutz published a pamphlet in memory of the farm-dwellers who fell in the battle. A friend of the bereaved parents wrote: “I’ve heard a lot about Ilan, friends who visit our house occasionally, and often remind him, and I’m always thrilled by the deep love they all felt. In the Emek Hefer Regional Council, which was dedicated to the fallen among the residents of the region, a list was published about his character and his path on Ilan.