Shapira, Tzvi

Tzvi, son of Dvora and Daniel Shapira, was born on December 24, 1920 in the city of Kutno, Poland, to a traditional, Zionist family. On November 24, 1929, he immigrated with his parents to Israel. Tzvi was modest and quiet and loved by his friends. Some time before the outbreak of World War II he joined the Hagana. He was among the first of the volunteers to the British army during the Second World War and served in a Hebrew unit for transport in Iraq and Egypt, and was active in providing assistance to Holocaust refugees. After being released from the British army, where he served for six years, Tzvi joined the Dan cooperative, but did not find full satisfaction because of what he could be doing for the homeland. With the outbreak of the War of Independence, Tzvi quickly joined as a driver of the Alexandroni Brigade. He took part in the various occupation activities around Tel Aviv and was particularly successful in rescuing wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Tzvi took part in the attack on Arab Kfar Saba and the conquest of the Arab village of Carrie and excelled in fulfilling his duties. After this battle he was promoted to the rank of transport officer of his battalion. On the 14th of Iyar 5708 (23.5.1948) he went to the Arab village of Tantura to take out a vehicle that was stuck in the village. On the way to the village he and his friend were ambushed by Arab gang members. Tzvi was killed and brought to rest in the military cemetery in Netanya.