Rondina – Bonim ve'Lochamim [build and fight]
"Bonim ve'Lochamim" sailed from Bakar port in Yugoslavia on February 18th 1948, with 1002 immigrants on board.
The Haapala ship, "Bonim ve'Lochamim," was prepared to depart for Israel from Sabona port in Italy. In early 1946, the ship brought immigrants to Israel under the name "Enzo Sereny," and was caught by the British. The ship was released a year and a half later, and was given its new name. The ship commander was Palyam member, Moshe Rabinovitch. The 'Gidoni' (wireless operator) was Palyam member Pinchas Lucian (Lotan.) An additional escort was Palyam member, Pinchas Dafni.
"Bonim ve'Lochamim" sailed from Bakar port in Yugoslavia on February 18th 1948, with 1002 immigrants on board. The ship was spotted by a British reconnaissance aircraft On February28th opposite Nizanim shore, and was later approached by British destroyer.
A few hours later, it was surrounded by five British destroyers that followed it to Haifa port. The following day, the immigrants were loaded without resisting onto the deportation ships "Mauritius" and "Empire Rival," which took them to the "Summer Camps" in Cyprus. The ship commander hid in a 'Slik' and was safely rescued, whereas the two other escorts intermingled with the immigrants and arrived in Cyprus with them.
"Bonim ve'Lochamim" sailed from Bakar port in Yugoslavia on February 18th 1948, with 1002 immigrants on board. The ship was spotted by a British reconnaissance aircraft On February28th opposite Nizanim shore, and was later approached by British destroyer.
A few hours later, it was surrounded by five British destroyers that followed it to Haifa port. The following day, the immigrants were loaded without resisting onto the deportation ships "Mauritius" and "Empire Rival," which took them to the "Summer Camps" in Cyprus. The ship commander hid in a 'Slik' and was safely rescued, whereas the two other escorts intermingled with the immigrants and arrived in Cyprus with them.