Late investigations of the casualties' fate in Akhziv Bridges
On May 22nd, 1966, "Ma'ariv" newspaper published the results of the investigation done by chief inspector Shlomo Ben-Elkana from the Israel Police, who tried to solve the mystery. His investigation showed that there was no "mystery" involved, and that all 13 warriors perished and were buried in the common grave.
On May 22nd, 1966, "Ma'ariv" newspaper published the results of the investigation done by chief inspector Shlomo Ben-Elkana from the Israel Police, who tried to solve the mystery. His investigation showed that there was no "mystery" involved, and that all 13 warriors perished and were buried in the common grave. The Hagana Veterans Organization published an announcement that stated that the burial site of the bridge casualties was known to the Hagana and the Yishuv institutions, as well as their families, but was inadequately published because of the underground conditions of those days. The reaction to the announcement caused the casualties' remains to be brought to burial in the site where they fell, in a national ceremony held in June 1968.
A number of efforts were made to commemorate the Akhziv Bridge casualties: Kibbutz Yechiam (named after Yechiam Veitz); the Haapala ship "14 A-Zib Bridge Casualties," which made it to Israel on July 28th, 1947; kibbutz Gesher-Haziv that was founded near the deserted village of A-Zib in 1949, and the youth hostel "Yad Le'yad," founded opposite Akhziv in 1962.
And here are the names of the fallen: Shimon Alexander, Yehuda Asaf (Polani), Eliyahu Bloom, Ya'aqov Berlinger, Yehuda Gavish, Yitzhak Strostinieky, Yechiel Slor, David Siman-Tov, Ya'aqov Kovetch, Yosef Kinderman, Amichai Klivner, Yosef Rosenfeld, Nechemia Shine.
In 2002, the casualties buried at that time in the anonymous grave at kibbutz Yechiam cemetery, brought to burial in the gravesite near the Akhziv railway-bridge. In 2006, a documentary film was completed by Shoshi Ben-Chemo, entitled "There Is Only One Grave," which tells the story of the Palmach operation and the fate of the fallen in battle.
A number of efforts were made to commemorate the Akhziv Bridge casualties: Kibbutz Yechiam (named after Yechiam Veitz); the Haapala ship "14 A-Zib Bridge Casualties," which made it to Israel on July 28th, 1947; kibbutz Gesher-Haziv that was founded near the deserted village of A-Zib in 1949, and the youth hostel "Yad Le'yad," founded opposite Akhziv in 1962.
And here are the names of the fallen: Shimon Alexander, Yehuda Asaf (Polani), Eliyahu Bloom, Ya'aqov Berlinger, Yehuda Gavish, Yitzhak Strostinieky, Yechiel Slor, David Siman-Tov, Ya'aqov Kovetch, Yosef Kinderman, Amichai Klivner, Yosef Rosenfeld, Nechemia Shine.
In 2002, the casualties buried at that time in the anonymous grave at kibbutz Yechiam cemetery, brought to burial in the gravesite near the Akhziv railway-bridge. In 2006, a documentary film was completed by Shoshi Ben-Chemo, entitled "There Is Only One Grave," which tells the story of the Palmach operation and the fate of the fallen in battle.