Preparations for Operation Sinking the 'Lino'
Yosaleh completed the task of installing the booby trap, made from a motorcyle tube and filled with TNT and interwoven with a fuse, and a number of detonators spread around delay mechanisms. Everything was hermetically sealed in order to prevent water from leaking into the tube.
In the beginning of April of 1948, the 'Lino' was discovered in a small port in Southern Italy where it had entered due to a malfunction. Eda Sireni, Enzo Sireni's widow, used her connections and influence so that the Italian authorities would stop the ship and move it instead to the Beri Port.
This directed thoughts once again toward planning sabotage to the ship. Yosaleh Dror, whao had already damaged a British deportation ship in Cyprus, arrived to Beri and began planning the 'Lino' sabotage. Commander of the operation was Moniah Medror and he asked Amnon Yonah to be his assistant. They arrived to Beri and received details from Yosaleh as to where the ship was anchored and ways to access it. A British destroyer ship was anchored alongside to guard the 'Lino'. A patrol of the area was carried out and the most suitable spot for entry into the port's water was established.
It was decided to perform the operation on that same night due to the fear that the 'Lino' would not be stopped in time and postponement would lead to the 'Lino' setting sail.
Yosaleh completed the task of installing the booby trap, made from a motorcyle tube and filled with TNT and interwoven with a fuse, and a number of detonators spread around delay mechanisms. Everything was hermetically sealed in order to prevent water from leaking into the tube. A carpenter's vise was attached to the booby trap to aid in attaching it to the ship's bow. There was debate as to what quantity of TNT was to be used – the saboteurs wanted to use a large quantity to ensure drowning the ship;but the Italian 'Haganah' activists demanded a small amount to be used, fearful a large explosion would cause damage to messenger activity that was taking place from Israel in Italy, that, up until now, Italian authorities had ignored. It was decided to use a small amount that would make cracks in the ship and cause it to sink.
This directed thoughts once again toward planning sabotage to the ship. Yosaleh Dror, whao had already damaged a British deportation ship in Cyprus, arrived to Beri and began planning the 'Lino' sabotage. Commander of the operation was Moniah Medror and he asked Amnon Yonah to be his assistant. They arrived to Beri and received details from Yosaleh as to where the ship was anchored and ways to access it. A British destroyer ship was anchored alongside to guard the 'Lino'. A patrol of the area was carried out and the most suitable spot for entry into the port's water was established.
It was decided to perform the operation on that same night due to the fear that the 'Lino' would not be stopped in time and postponement would lead to the 'Lino' setting sail.
Yosaleh completed the task of installing the booby trap, made from a motorcyle tube and filled with TNT and interwoven with a fuse, and a number of detonators spread around delay mechanisms. Everything was hermetically sealed in order to prevent water from leaking into the tube. A carpenter's vise was attached to the booby trap to aid in attaching it to the ship's bow. There was debate as to what quantity of TNT was to be used – the saboteurs wanted to use a large quantity to ensure drowning the ship;but the Italian 'Haganah' activists demanded a small amount to be used, fearful a large explosion would cause damage to messenger activity that was taking place from Israel in Italy, that, up until now, Italian authorities had ignored. It was decided to use a small amount that would make cracks in the ship and cause it to sink.