San Miguel – Hamapil Haalmony [the unknown illegal immigrant]
"Hamapil Haalmony" sailed from Sete port in France on February 3rd 1947, with 796 immigrants on board.
The Haapala ship, "Hamapil Haalmony" (named after Herbert Lazar, an immigrant who was killed while resisting the British on board "Lanegev" ship on February 1947. He was named "Hamapil Haalmony [the unknown illegal immigrant]" in his obituary) was prepared for its departure to Israel in Sweden and Marseille port by Yehosha Bahreb, Yosef Hoover (Dror), who joined as a Palyam escort, and Reuven Orenshtein (Oren) – who joined as the 'Gidoni.' The ship had been previously used for transporting passengers around the Northern Sea islands. The captain of the ship was Ricardo (a Spaniard.) The ship commander was Palyam member Shaul Biber.
"Hamapil Haalmony" was first named "Hagana - Cherut," but on the last day of its voyage, 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' ordered its name change to "Hamapil Haalmony." The reason for the change was to avoid the wrong impression that the Hagana and Etsel collaborated in the Haapala endeavor, since the Etsel frequently used the term "Cherut (freedom)" in its propaganda.
"Hamapil Haalmony" sailed from Sete port in France on February 3rd 1947, with 796 immigrants on board. A British reconnaissance aircraft spotted the ship on February 14th, and the ship was followed by two British destroyers the next day. The ship's destination shore was south of Jaffa, but the British raided it and took over after a half an hour brawl.
During the confrontation, the British used gas bombs and water hoses. Some immigrants were injured during their scuffles with the soldiers. The destroyers banged against the ship as it tried dodge them, and forced it to enter Haifa port on the morning of February 17th; the representatives of the Jewish Agency directorate had not yet managed to submit an order nisi to the Supreme Court in order to delay its deportation.
Before the ship arrived in Haifa, Orenshtein with seven other immigrants were hidden in the spare water tank inside the ship, which was pre-arranged by Biber, the ship commander. Before entering the 'Slik,' Orenshtein destroyed the codes and threw the radio and crystals overboard. Before he signed off, Orenshtein reported his entrance into the 'Slik' to 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet,' and asked that their rescuers whistle Hebrew songs when they came. And so did the 'Solel Boneh' workers, who boarded 'Hamaapil Haalmony" after its immigrants disembarked. The remaining immigrants and two other escorts were transferred onto the "Empire Rival" deportation ship that took them to detention camps No.64 and 65 in Cyprus.
"Hamapil Haalmony" was first named "Hagana - Cherut," but on the last day of its voyage, 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' ordered its name change to "Hamapil Haalmony." The reason for the change was to avoid the wrong impression that the Hagana and Etsel collaborated in the Haapala endeavor, since the Etsel frequently used the term "Cherut (freedom)" in its propaganda.
"Hamapil Haalmony" sailed from Sete port in France on February 3rd 1947, with 796 immigrants on board. A British reconnaissance aircraft spotted the ship on February 14th, and the ship was followed by two British destroyers the next day. The ship's destination shore was south of Jaffa, but the British raided it and took over after a half an hour brawl.
During the confrontation, the British used gas bombs and water hoses. Some immigrants were injured during their scuffles with the soldiers. The destroyers banged against the ship as it tried dodge them, and forced it to enter Haifa port on the morning of February 17th; the representatives of the Jewish Agency directorate had not yet managed to submit an order nisi to the Supreme Court in order to delay its deportation.
Before the ship arrived in Haifa, Orenshtein with seven other immigrants were hidden in the spare water tank inside the ship, which was pre-arranged by Biber, the ship commander. Before entering the 'Slik,' Orenshtein destroyed the codes and threw the radio and crystals overboard. Before he signed off, Orenshtein reported his entrance into the 'Slik' to 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet,' and asked that their rescuers whistle Hebrew songs when they came. And so did the 'Solel Boneh' workers, who boarded 'Hamaapil Haalmony" after its immigrants disembarked. The remaining immigrants and two other escorts were transferred onto the "Empire Rival" deportation ship that took them to detention camps No.64 and 65 in Cyprus.