Benjamin Telem
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Telem (1928 - June 16, 2008) was the ninth Commander of the Israeli Navy (1972–1976).
, Germany
in 1928, Telem immigrated
to Haifa
, Israel
as a child in 1933. He attended the Haifa Naval School, joining the Palyam
shortly after graduation. Later on in his career Telem would complete officer courses in England
.
, Telem served as head of branch operations of the Navy, and shortly after the war, in 1957, was appointed commander of the destroyer INS Yaffo, a position he held for two years.
Telem also took part in the Six-Day War
, the Cherbourg Project
, and the War of Attrition
as a Navy officer. In 1972 he was promoted in rank to Major General
and elevated to Commander of the Navy.
. Contrary to the opinion of others in the IDF intelligence, Telem insisted on preparing for the war, the outbreak of which came as a surprise to most in the Israeli establishment. Although the war as a whole did not result in outright victory for either side, the Israeli Navy did not lose a single ship (while sinking multiple enemy ships) and only suffered three casualties.
appointed Telem special assistant to the ambassador to South Africa
, where he conducted several weapons deals.
In 1979 he left government service, and served as CEO of Israel Military Industries
from 1980 until his retirement in 1991.
Telem died on June 16, 2008. An autobiography, "תלם בים" (A Trail ("Telem") at Sea), was published posthumously.
Early life and education
Born Benjamin Blumenthal in DessauDessau
Dessau is a town in Germany on the junction of the rivers Mulde and Elbe, in the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt. Since 1 July 2007, it is part of the merged town Dessau-Roßlau. Population of Dessau proper: 77,973 .-Geography:...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1928, Telem immigrated
Fifth Aliyah
The Fifth Aliyah refers to the fifth wave of the Jewish immigration to Israel from Europe and Asia between the years 1929 and 1939. The Fifth immigration wave began after the 1929 Palestine riots, and after the comeback from the economic crisis in Israel in 1927, during the period of the Fourth...
to Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as a child in 1933. He attended the Haifa Naval School, joining the Palyam
Palyam
Palyam was the sea force of the Palmach.-History:Palyam was set up in April 1945 as the Palmach's tenth company which originated from the Palmach's Naval Platoon. The Company's first commander was Abraham Zakai...
shortly after graduation. Later on in his career Telem would complete officer courses in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Career in the Navy
In 1956, during the Suez CrisisSuez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
, Telem served as head of branch operations of the Navy, and shortly after the war, in 1957, was appointed commander of the destroyer INS Yaffo, a position he held for two years.
Telem also took part in the Six-Day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
, the Cherbourg Project
Cherbourg Project
The Boats of Cherbourg was an Israeli military operation which took place on 24 December 1969, and involved the escape of five class 3 missile boats from the French port of Cherbourg. The boats had been paid for by the Israeli government but had not been delivered due to the French arms embargo...
, and the War of Attrition
War of Attrition
The international community and both countries attempted to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The Jarring Mission of the United Nations was supposed to ensure that the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 242 would be observed, but by late 1970 it was clear that this mission had been...
as a Navy officer. In 1972 he was promoted in rank to Major General
Aluf
Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word...
and elevated to Commander of the Navy.
Yom Kippur War
Telem's skill as Commander was quickly tested by the 1973 Yom Kippur WarYom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
. Contrary to the opinion of others in the IDF intelligence, Telem insisted on preparing for the war, the outbreak of which came as a surprise to most in the Israeli establishment. Although the war as a whole did not result in outright victory for either side, the Israeli Navy did not lose a single ship (while sinking multiple enemy ships) and only suffered three casualties.
After the Navy
Telem retired from the Navy in 1976. Then-Defense Minister Shimon PeresShimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
appointed Telem special assistant to the ambassador to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, where he conducted several weapons deals.
In 1979 he left government service, and served as CEO of Israel Military Industries
Israel Military Industries
Israel Weapons Industries , formerly the "Magen" division of the Israel Military Industries Ltd. is an Israeli firearms manufacturer. In 2005, the Small Arms Division of IMI was privatized....
from 1980 until his retirement in 1991.
Telem died on June 16, 2008. An autobiography, "תלם בים" (A Trail ("Telem") at Sea), was published posthumously.