Hershkowitz, Tuvia (Tibi)

Son of Esther and Zelig, born on the 4th of Sivsn, May 17, 1926, in Bucharest, Romania. At the end of 1945, Tuvia found his mother and persuaded her to go with him on the “escape route” to reach Eretz Israel. With the help of Jewish Brigade soldiers, they succeeded in reaching Italy. There Tuvia joined the Hagana and a year later they boarded the Palmach, to immigrate, but the ship was caught by the British. Tuvia continued to practice in the Hagana until he was allowed to immigrate to Israel with his mother on May 15, 1947. In December 1947, he volunteered for army service,in the Givati ​​Brigade”. Tuvia fought against the positions of Mikve Israel, Holon and Bat Yam against Arabs and English. He specialized in sabotaging the “enemy homeland” from his service on the Russian front. As a sapper he checked the new road for three months, during which the Jewish transport passed through Rishon LeZion through the Moledet neighborhood, participated in many successful operations in sabotage and explosions in villages and enemy bases around Jaffa. His friends especially note his coolness and agility and his professional ability to blow up a large house that served as a dangerous and threatening enemy position in Jabalya. On one of his patrols, he caught two Arab spies who were broadcasting their messages on a complex field radio transmitter. On another occasion he heard a German conversation from a truck. Thanks to his alertness and agility, the German officers and their troops were caught. He was then recommended for a medal. Tuvia continued carrying out numerous subversive operations and bombings, including one in Tel Arish. As part of Operation Chametz to encircle Jaffa, his company occupied the Tel, they were surprised by the enemy’s strong counter-attack and were forced to withdraw. In the midst of the severe battle, Tuvia was hit by a bullet and killed on 19 Nissan, April 28, 1948. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery at Nachalat Yitzchak.