Israelis You Should Know: Albert Mandler

The Fellowship  |  October 14, 2016

Lived: May 3, 1929 – October 13, 1973

Known for: Major general of the IDF who heroically served in Israel’s conflicts and was killed during the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Why you should know him: Born to a Jewish family in Austria, Avraham Albert Mandler arrived in the Holy Land aboard an immigrant ship while still a small child. But this boy would grow to be a warrior for his people’s historic and biblical homeland.

During Israel’s War of Independence, Mandler led a jeep unit known as “Samson’s Foxes” (the unit seen parading through the streets in the above photo).

When Israel was thrust into the Six-Day War of 1967, Mandler again served his country, this time commanding an armored brigade, first in the Sinai and then liberating the Golan Heights from Syria.

Mandler was set to retire in October of 1973, right as Israel was again forced to defend itself during the Yom Kippur War. While observing Israel’s Egyptian enemies at the Suez Canal, General Mandler was ambushed by missiles and killed. May the memory of this defender of Israel and her people be a blessing.