Firth, Avraham (Heinsi, Baruch)

Avraham, son of Hanna (Alfrieda) and Yitzhak (Otto) Firth (a/k/a Baruch Heinsi), was born in Teplitz-Sheinau, Czechoslovakia on December 20, 1922. He made aliya with “Aliyat HaNoar” on 5.2.1939 on the ship Katina. In February 1941 Avraham enlisted, without permission from his parents, into a Jewish driver’s unit (462) in the British army. He was among the survivors of the battle involving the “Erinpura” boat near Malta in 1943. At the beginning of 1948 he was drafted into full service and served in the 8th Brigade. Avraham was the commander of a commando company that fought during the “Dani” operation. His subordinates called him blessed. On that day, 4 Tammuz 5708 (11.7.1948), he received a radio warning to withdraw from the enemy forces, and he refused. “Do you want the enemies to come to Tel Aviv?”, he asked in his reply. Avraham fell in Beit-Nabala. While trying to repair a half-track that had broken down, he was seriously wounded. “Moledet, Moledet” – he read incessantly during the advance of his company and these were his last words as well. Avraham was brought to rest in the Nachlat Yitzhak military cemetery. He was post-humously awarded the rank of lieutenant.