Meir, Aharon (Albert) (Gafni, Noah)

Son of Penny and Eliezer, was born on February 26, 1900, in the city of Port (Feudra), Germany. Descendants of the Jews of Franconia, the strong and the roots. He studied in a real school, and when he finished his studies he dealt in clothing trade. For a while, Aharon worked for a wholesaler at Nuremberg. At the age of 21, he became the manager of one of the porcelain factories in Germany, the only Jew in the entire factory. Out of loyalty to the tradition, he did not agree to work on Shabbat and Jewish festivals, and his owners agreed to it. Was an excellent athlete and active in Maccabi. During the First World War (1914-1918) he served as an officer in a combat unit of the German army. In August 1937 he immigrated to Israel and worked as a representative of a German factory. He devoted most of his time to the Haganah. In 1940 an area commander and a battalion were appointed in Jerusalem and from the end of 1947 he was deputy commander of the region. In the last ten years of his life he devoted all his time to the Haganah. Thanks to him, his area was exceptionally well organized. His extraordinary devotion to the Hagana was not only due to his military professionalism, but his great love for the country and the people, and because he was proud of his Jewishness. He served as a model for all the fighters under his command. With great effort, he adopted the Hebrew language. He trained in training and organized mainly the Rehavia and Kiryat Shmuel environments. His personal actions were bold and surprising: when a bomb was thrown at a restaurant in central Jerusalem where dozens of British soldiers and police were sitting and a riot ensued and a drunk British soldier wanted to attack peaceful passers-by – he took out his weapon and fled, saving many lives. During the War of Independence, an Arab was running toward the Arabs with his pistol in his hand. Meir caught up with him, took the pistol out of his hand and drove it away. When it was necessary to withdraw from Katamon, he did not rest until they returned to conquer the neighborhood. He was tan and windy, thin, supple, and agile. Strong and athletic, clever and powerful, with the ability to organize and influence his friends, helps and benefits his subordinates. Zealous for security. He is all passionate about one thing: the Haganah. He did not pursue honor or seek pleasure. Demanded of others what was necessary without giving up, and of itself – the maximum effort. He neglected all his livelihood for the Haganah, and yet he supported an old mother and a sister. Was a Sabbath-observant and did not go to the training camp on Saturdays, despite the responsible position, but walked a long distance on foot. Was a good shot and a courageous soldier and when he was told about the many dangers, he would joke: “I do not want to die in bed.” When the British left their security zone, he rushed to the potash company’s house. On his way to a post in the David building, he wanted to remove a wounded person from a dangerous place, after the “Red-David Shield” could not reach there because of the constant sniping. In spite of the warnings, he set out on his way and fell on the 5th of Iyar 5708 (May 14, 1948.) He was buried in Sanhedria in Jerusalem and was given the rank of captain on the 24th of Nisan 5712 (24 March 1952) Military operation at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.