גל ‎Getzowitch Gal, Michael 'Mike'

Birth Name גל ‎Getzowitch Gal, Michael 'Mike'
Birth Name Getzowitch, Michael
Also Known As גל‎, מיכאל‎

    Gal גל, in Hebrew, means Wave.
    Gal גל is the name of a Israeli Navy חיל הים submarine built by Vickers, INS Wave אח"י גל.

Call Name 'Mike'
Call Name Michael
Call Name מיכאל‎
Gender male

Events

Event Date Place Description Notes Sources
Birth February 17, 1928    

 
Camp   Auschwitz Konzentrationslager, Oświęcim, powiat Oświęcimski, województwo Małopolskie, Polska  

Event Note

Michael Getzowitch was sent to Auschwitz concentration camp, to Brig, Gros-Rosen and to Reichenbach.

Event Note

In May, 1945, Michael Getzowitch was liberated by the Red Army.

 
Military Service 1947    

Event Note

Michael Getzowitch made his way to Bandol, and met Avraham Sikoral Harel, who was responsible for the food supply to the camp, where Michael volunteered to bring milk every morning by tricycle from the nearby village, and became Avraham's assistant.

 
Boat April 8, 1948 נחשון הקסטל Tamar Nachshon haKastel תמר Tadorne La Savoie Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל Tadorne sailed from Bandol

Event Note

Yoske Pinchuk Almog served as Palyam Commander aboard Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל Tadorne.

Event Note

In Bandol, Michael Getzowitch asked Yoske Pinchuk Almog, Palyam Commander of Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל Tadorne, if he could join the crew, and he accepted.

Event Note

When all the Maapilim were aboard Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל Tadorne, Yoske Pinchuk Almog gave Michael Getzowitch the key to the hold that held the food and water.

Event Note

Michael Getzowitch Gal cites "Once repairs were completed we returned to Bandol, and once again loaded Olim onto the ship. I think we took some 550 of them."

Event Note

On April 26, 1948, HMS Pelican intercepted Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל near the shore of Palestine.
Michael Getzowitch Gal cites "Two days before we arrived at the shores of Palestine we were certain that the British had spotted us, and tensions rose. We soon saw that we were being accompanied by several destroyers but they did not try to take the ship until nightfall. They used a strong force, and it did not take them long to board the ship. We Palyamniks had prepared a hiding place and put it to good use. Although the British searched for us, our "slick" was so well camouflaged that they could not find it."

Event Note

On April 27, 1948, HMS Pelican towed Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל into Haifa חיפה.
HMS Newcastle arrived to conduct transshipment, and Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטלl was put alongside HMS Newcastle, and transports, SS Empire Comfort and HMT Empire Rival followed.

Event Note

On April 28, 1948, Nachshon haKastel נחשון הקסטל arrived in Haifa.
The passengers were transferred to Cyprus.

 

Pedigree

    1. גל ‎Getzowitch Gal, Michael 'Mike'