Mike Flanagan (British-Israeli soldier)

Mike Flanagan (Hebrew: מייק פלנגן‎; c.1929 – 31 Jan 2014) was an Irish soldier who assisted the formation of the Israeli armed forces.

He was born in Ireland. Flanagan served with the British Army during World War II, and participated in the liberation of the Nazi-operated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.[1]

Following the war, Flanagan was stationed in the British Mandate Palestine. Being sympathetic with the emerging (Jewish) nation of Israel, on 29 June 1948, Flanagan (along with his tank commander, Harry McDonald) stole two British Cromwell tanks and drove them to Israeli forces in Tel Aviv. These became central to the Israeli Armored Corps. Flanagan is considered one of the most famous deserters from the British Army in Palestine.[2]

Flanagan subsequently converted to Judaism to marry Ruth Levy, whom he had met on active service. They lived in Israel until her death, after which he emigrated to Canada.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Newman, Marissa. British deserter who stole tanks for Haganah dies, The Times of Israel, February 2, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  2. ↑ Karpel, Dalia. The Irish rover, Haarets, December 17, 2010. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
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