Shlomo Erell
Israeli Navy general (1920–2018)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shlomo Erell (Hebrew: שלמה אראל; 20 November 1920 – 20 November 2018) was a Major General in the IDF, and the seventh Commander of the Israeli Navy.[1]
Shlomo Erell | |
|---|---|
| |
| Native name | שלמה אראל |
| Born | 20 November 1920 |
| Died | 20 November 2018 (aged 98) |
| Allegiance |  Israel |
| Branch |  Israeli Navy
|
| Service years | 1939–1968 |
| Rank | Aluf |
| Commands | Captain of the Israeli Naval vessel Palmach IDF military attaché in the Israeli embassy in Italy Commander of the Israeli Navy's missile ships Commander of the Israeli Navy |
| Other work | member of the Likud party |
Early life and family
Erell was born in Poland in 1920 to Haim and Frida Erell. His father was a wealthy businessman. The family emigrated to Mandate Palestine in 1926, initially settling in Petah Tikva. Shortly after the family's arrival, his father was killed in a car accident. Erell and his mother subsequently moved to Tel Aviv. Erell studied at Geula high school and joined the Betar youth movement. As a teenager, he started a small underground organization with some school friends aimed at pressing the British to leave the country, recalling that they stole a few pistols and threw some bombs. In 1936 he traveled to Italy to attend the Betar Naval Academy in Civitavecchia. On his return to Palestine in 1938, he was arrested for his previous anti-British activities and spent six months in Acre Prison.[2][3]
Career
With the outbreak of World War II, Erell joined the British merchant navy. He participated in the Dunkirk evacuation and the Murmansk and Atlantic convoy runs. He survived two torpedo attacks. During one such attack in 1941, Erell's ship was sunk by a U-boat and he managed to escape in a small boat, after which he spent nine days at sea before being rescued.[3][4] After the war he was discharged with the rank of captain. With the outbreak of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War Erell joined the Israeli Navy and he became the captain of the Israeli naval vessel Palmach. The Palmach was credited with many operations in the Sinai and in Lebanon.[3]
After the war, Erell continued as an IDF officer. He held many posts including being the IDF military attaché in the Israeli embassy in Italy, and commander of the Israeli Navy's missile ships. In January 1966, Erell was promoted to the rank of Aluf (Major General) and became the Commander of the Israeli Navy. During his tenure the Israeli Navy participated in the Six-Day War. In 1968, he retired from the IDF.[3]
After retiring, Erell received a master's degree in administration from Columbia University. In the 1970s, he became a member of the Likud party and from time to time he was brought in by Israeli leaders as an advisor of naval issues.[3]
Death and legacy
Erell died on 20 November 2018, on his 98th birthday.[5]
Published works
- Erell, Shlomo (2000), Diplomacy in the Depths of the Sea. Ma'ariv Publishing.