Poni, Meir (Shaul, Amihud)

Son of Fruma and Avraham, was born on September 24, 1925 in Tel Aviv. Meir graduated with honors from the age of 14. Although his parents advised him to continue his studies, he saw the need to start working as a baker to support the family, while studying at the gymnasium in the evenings. In 1943 Meir joined the Lehi underground, where he held important positions, and for months he was absent from his home. In his service in the underground, he displayed unlimited devotion and outstanding qualities of leadership. He loved music and wrote songs, expressing his love for nature and sea. With the outbreak of the War of Independence Meir enlisted in the navy and served in the landing company. On the night of July 17-18, 1948, Operation “Death to the Intruder” took place, in an attempt to break through the Negev. For this operation, the landing company reinforced the Givati ​Brigade and was ordered to attack the village of Beit ‘Afa to the north, together with the Givati ​​company that attacked from the south. The landing company broke into the village but the attack from the south failed. The Egyptians concentrated their efforts against the landing company that had seized the village and eventually had to retreat. In this battle Meir fell on the 11th of Tammuz 5708 (18.7.1948). On the 16th of Tishrei 5710 (October 9, 1949) he was transferred to the eternal rest of the military cemetery at Nahalat Yitzhak.