Blowing up the 'Amir Farouk' ship
The 'Amir Farouk' ship was the flag-ship of the Egyptian navy during the Israeli War of Independence. It was sunk by a sabotage commando squad of the Israeli navy commanded by Yochai Bin-Nun. The squad was aided by three boats laden with explosives, constructed to explode after colliding with the target. The navy mother-ship was the 'Maoz'.
The 'Amir Farouk' ship was the flag-ship of the Egyptian navy during the War of Independence. It was sunk by a sabotage squad of the Israeli navy under the command of Yochai Bin-Nun. The squad was aided by three boats laden with explosives, constructed to explode after colliding with the target. The navy mother-ship was the 'Maoz'
The explosive boats were brought from Italy and a barrel containing 250 kilograms of explosives was installed in the prow of each boat. Each boat was manned by a navy commando fighter who aimed his boat at the target. At a distance of about 100 meters from the target he removed the safety-catch and then released himself by pulling a handle that severed the float to which he was attached and he was later picked up by the crew of the mother-boat.
The naval commandos were trained in the Sea of Galilee and in the Jaffa port by an Italian instructor and the exercises were intensified during the time leading up to the 'Yoav' operation. On the 21st of October the commando unit of the navy set out for a reconnaissance patrol of the Gaza coast and during this time the truce in the fighting went into effect. Immediately afterwards two enemy ships were detected and identified as the 'Amir Farouk' and a mine-sweeper. After the first order prohibiting an attack was sent, a second telegram arrived confirming the order to attack. The commando unit held a consultation and it was decided that the naval commandos would carry out the attack. At the hour 18:40, the 'Maoz distanced itself from the commando flotilla and approached the coast. At 21:10 the three attack vessels left the mother-ship led by Yochai Bin-Nun, Zalman Abramov and Yaakov Vardi as well as the rescue boats manned by Yitzchak Brukman and Yaakov Ritov.
The explosive boats were brought from Italy and a barrel containing 250 kilograms of explosives was installed in the prow of each boat. Each boat was manned by a navy commando fighter who aimed his boat at the target. At a distance of about 100 meters from the target he removed the safety-catch and then released himself by pulling a handle that severed the float to which he was attached and he was later picked up by the crew of the mother-boat.
The naval commandos were trained in the Sea of Galilee and in the Jaffa port by an Italian instructor and the exercises were intensified during the time leading up to the 'Yoav' operation. On the 21st of October the commando unit of the navy set out for a reconnaissance patrol of the Gaza coast and during this time the truce in the fighting went into effect. Immediately afterwards two enemy ships were detected and identified as the 'Amir Farouk' and a mine-sweeper. After the first order prohibiting an attack was sent, a second telegram arrived confirming the order to attack. The commando unit held a consultation and it was decided that the naval commandos would carry out the attack. At the hour 18:40, the 'Maoz distanced itself from the commando flotilla and approached the coast. At 21:10 the three attack vessels left the mother-ship led by Yochai Bin-Nun, Zalman Abramov and Yaakov Vardi as well as the rescue boats manned by Yitzchak Brukman and Yaakov Ritov.