SAVIOURS IN THE SKY - RESOURCES IV

 


The Royal Egyptian Air Force was the main adversary of the Israel Air Force in the War of Independence.  In 1945, the British had supplied 21 Spitfires to the Egyptian Air Force, and an additional 41 Spitfires during 1946 and 1947.   The Egyptian Spitfires had more success against the Israelis on the ground than in the air.  Until the Israel Air Force could fight them in the air with more planes, the Egyptian Spitfires indiscriminately shelled and bombarded Israeli civilian and military targets. 

By mid-December 1948, 15 additional Spitfires were ready for delivery to Israel.   On the 18th six Spitfires, led by Sam Pomerance, left for Yugoslavia. Due to a very severe snow storm, the aircraft were forced to turn back.  Two Spitfires were lost as a result of the storm. Sam Pomerance, who had orchestrated the Operation, was killed when he crashed into a mountain during the storm. The second pilot, Bill Pomerantz, survived his crash – landing on a beach.  

On 19th December, six aircraft flew to Yugoslavia, to be followed by six more aircraft on 20th December, and four more on 23rd December.  The last batch of six Spitfires left on 26th December.  These formations of Spitfires were led from Yugoslavia to Israel by the two cargo planes.  Two Spitfires which had to be left behind in Czechoslovakia due to mechanical problems, were disassembled  and transported to Israel two days later.

At the same time, ten military trainers had arrived from the U.S., smuggled in crates labelled “agricultural machinery and equipment”. As this was the Israeli airforce, where nothing was done according to the book, the trainers were upgraded to dive bombers.

Except for the tragic death of Sam Pomerance and the loss of two Spitfires due to the snow storm, the Operation was a smashing success.  With this significant reinforcement of combat aircraft, control of the skies shifted from the Egyptian Air Force to the Israeli Air Force. The IAF very quickly established complete air superiority over the battle zones.

It is ironic to recall that - not so long before - the first two Spitfires of the Israel Air Force were constructed from junk left by the RAF, and from components of downed Egyptian Spitfires.

 

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