- Narrated by: Arnon Barak (and by edited by African Herald Express) -
This is the full story of the covert Biafra Air Rescue operation of 1969 – 1970 by a few heroic foreigners – mostly Jewish pilots and humanists that flew ill-maintained aircrafts by night, in bad weather and across enemy fire – and landed with supplies of food and medicines for Biafran civilians ravaged by starvation/air and sea blockade during the dark days of the Nigerian civil war.
The moving details of the highly secret and dangerous Mission are being made public now in the words of a few of the surviving pilots and crew who came together to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of what was also known then as the “Red Cross Operation — Relief Action Nigeria”.
The anniversary, which was organized by the IsraelAircraft Industries (IAI, the initiators of the Mission back in 1968, will also serve as a symbolic monument to the fallen Air-Crew and others, who heroically died on their mission while saving lives in Biafra.
The anniversary which took place in Israel on March 3, 2010 also gave Honourable Mentions to the hundreds of surviving volunteers, Air and Ground Crew, who jeopardized their lives, day and night during the operation.
Below is the rest of the story (in the words of Arnon Barak, the narrator):
Our story began at the end of the year 1968, when in one morning the phone rang. On the other side was my boss in IAI, (Israel Aircraft Industries), “come quickly to my office” he said. When I got there he told me straight away, “There is a massive genocide in Biafra. We were called up by Balair, the Swiss airline that asked IAI, to help their maintenance crew to take over the “big monster” the C-97 STRATOFREIGHTER. The Red Cross is supplying food and medicine to the besieged people in Biafra”.
My boss continued, “I decided to assign our best maintenance crew experts to this mission, so, do you agree to join the delegation which includes Ezra Melamed, Samuel Karniely , Josef Shimony and yourself Arnon Barak ?” Without any hesitation I agreed and so my friends. One month later we arrived in Basel starting working in Balair’s huge hangar.
A short time later, Uri Shani, our friend from IAI joined us. Our small group of friends from Israel – Ezra, Uri, Josef, Samuel and myself Arnon (the author of this story) – decided to erect a website, so that the history of this Mission will live on in the public square. We were the beginner technicians in the Biafra Operation.
The purpose of the Biafra Operation was to save lives of more than a million people of those living in Biafra, a large territorial area in Nigeria. The people of Biafra were surrounded by tens of thousands of Nigerian soldiers armed with “smart” weapons and fighter airplanes, including MIG 15. Neither food nor medicine was supplied to these people. The Red Cross was not allowed to render assistance.
At the beginning of 1968, the Red Cross decided to initiate a Secret Mission. Its goal was to supply medicine and food to the Biafra area in order to save the life of a few millions people starving in a small shrinkable territory. The Red Cross wanted to use large volume transportation aircraft for the mission. It was a huge problem to locate a runway to land and take-off in the Biafra territory. The only time those aircraft could land in the Biafra area was during the night.
Finally, they did find a road (in a place named ULI), long enough to use as a “runway” for a large airplane such the C-97g. The flights to ULI operated after sundown in total darkness, the Nigerian fighter pilots were afraid to fly during darkness. The air crews involved in this operation were very brave and some of them were shot down during the operation while others crashed in ULI close to the jungle.
Balair Airline, a daughter company of Swissair, was selected by the Red Cross to conduct the air rescue operation. After a short time, they realized that their DC-6′s and DC-7′s were not large enough to carry the quantities of food & medicines needed for this operation.
The decision was made to try operating the huge Boeing C-97g (the largest U.S.A.F. Aircraft at that time) which was operated by only two countries the U.S.A.F. And Israeli Air Force. Officially, the U.S. Government was not involved, but they did not prevent Air-Crew- U.S. citizens to take part in the Biafra Operation as volunteers. Five aircraft were purchased at the beginning from the civil aviation market– subject to the U.S. Government approval.
From the maintenance point of view, the C-97 was very difficult to handle and complicated aircraft to maintain. Years of experience were needed in order to certify and authorize technicians for these aircraft. There were two reasons for these difficulties. Firstly, the C-97 piston engine was the largest ever made and caused many problems. Secondly, most of the aircraft systems were electrically and electronically driven. Also, special logistic support was needed to fly continuously.
For all of these reasons, Balair contacted Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), the only Company outside of the U.S., familiar with the C-97′s, in order to train Balair’s technicians. The plan was to train a group of Balair’s maintenance personal within a month (the goal was unattainable so it failed). A group of four technicians was selected by IAI to start the operation, and we were honored to be that group.
The U.S. Air National Guard contributed five C-97′s for this operation, Israeli air crew transferred the aircraft to Basel, Switzerland (the First aircraft landed in February 15, 1969) and immediately we prepared them for the operation. In parallel, Hugo Marom, IAI’s chief pilot, conducted a flight test of the aircraft and checked the volunteer pilot candidates from the U.S in order to certify them for this operation.
After one month of hard work in Balair facilities trying to train their technicians to perform the C-97′s maintenance work, Balair came to the conclusion that it was impossible to achieve the goal of operating those aircraft with their technicians. IAI was asked to continue supporting the operation for as long as needed. The first cargo flight toAfrica, bound for Biafra, was made on March, 1969 and considered as a key flight to decide go/no go for the whole fleet of C-97′s aircraft.
Unfortunately, Engine failure occurred during flight and the aircraft was forced to land in the Sahara Desert at Niamey airport, in Niger Africa. A second Aircraft was flown with a spare engine to rescue the first aircraft and we were the 4 technicians onboard. It was the most horrendous time I can remember. A few of us contracted malaria and the work was done only at night due to the hot weather.
Our base station was in Cotonou airport, Dahomey (today Benin) in Africa, close to the Nigerian border. The five C-97′s were operated every night to ULI in Biafra Nigeria, landing in the darkness. Several accidents occurred such as one aircraft returned without one propeller and another landed on its belly due to the pilot forgetting to lower the Landing Gear. Every night some aircraft returned with bullet holes in the body and others were shot down. From time to time we flew to Europe and returned with food and medicines.
During one of those flights we made an emergency landing and it is a hair-raising story. A special relationship developed between our people and the air crew guys. We spent our leisure time discussing ideas and coming up with solutions to problems that arose.
I would like to quote a few lines from a letter written by Captain K. Herzog, Balair president at the time of the Biafra operation. The letter was written for the reunion celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Biafra operation. The reunion was held in Israel inDecember, 1989.
“I would like to remember you, how the cooperation with IAI started. When the problem came up to increase the load Capacity of the Airlift in Biafra by taking over a number of C-97′s from The American Air Force I realized, that Balair, as DC-6 a/b operator, Was not qualified to handle such a sophisticated airplane in West Africa. As Israel was the only country in our hemisphere flying the C-97′s I was aware, that only close operation with IAI gave us the chance to realize a successful operation.
Fortunately, we had already good contacts with “Bedek” (IAI), due to the major overhand of a Balair DC-4 and due to the Maintenance assistance given our DC-3 flying for Untso. The most important question to get full technical assistance was settled and I could sign the contract to take over the first five C-97′s from the U.S. National guard. To enable the start of the operation, Israeli air crew ferried the aircraft from different air ports in the U.S. to Switzerland for registration.
Who of you of about 50 participants of the Israeli delegation does not remember the long ferry flights around the whole African coast (refuelling at Las Palmas) to Cotonu (Dahomey) and back for maintenance to Lod (today called Ben-Gurion Intl. A/P), avoiding strictly overflying any Arabic territory. I remember by this Opportunity that an American-Balair-crew made an emergency landing in Sidi-ifni in Spanish Morocco, where the Israeli staff members had to be hidden in the tail cone of the C-97.
You started this maintenance in the Biafra Airlift with endless working Hours as C-97 experts with an unusual technical knowhow due to your Experience in the air force. You kept this a/c, which had no famous Reputation, in the air. Already after 2 months high ranking U.S. Air Force officers were aware of the extreme high monthly utilization of our Fleet. Colonel Dewey, also still a friend of mine, who supervised our activity had to confirm the flight hour figures to the chief of the National Guard force.
Due to this success, I could get the contract from “Joint Church Aid” an American group based with 5 other C-97′s in Sao Tome, an island four hundred kilometers south of Dahomey (Benin). On short call we ferried you to this island, where we took over the 5 C-97′s. 3 of these a/c were grounded due to lack of maintenance. Do you remember the lousy spare part shops we found in the hangar? The U.S. Air Force ferried immediately 5 spare engines and after one week the whole Fleet was in operation again. I remember one thing again as it would have happened yesterday. One of our ground mechanics a small fellow, Climbed up inside the tail to the top to repair an electrical failure of the position tail light. Of course we had no ladder to climb so high upon this island.
The success of the Biafra Airlift brought a lot of congratulations to the favor of IAI and Balair. All of us can be proud of what we did for the starving people of Biafra, bringing night after night under ugly circumstances food and medical supplies (16 tons on each flight).
Editor’s note: This story was brought to our attention by Philip Udegbunam, a Nigerian-Israeli, who met the surviving pilots of the Biafra Air Rescue and encouraged them to share their story.
Whoever try to disintegrate NIGERIA shld beta REPENT NOW or will DIE in JESUS NAME within 3days 4rm NOW.@16:35pm
This is an extremely very revealing, and interesting story about a group of very caring people who put their lives in harms way to help a maltreated and ostracized people. God bless you Barak, and friends. God bless you brothers.May you, and yours experience many wonderful days in this world.
I love biafra and may god help us all
You are in our hearts….
Amazing how much people are touched by this real story!
In fact people reactions here energizes me even further to understand the indepth of their deep commitment to Biafrans survival! A Forum of this sort, is a great tool to expose, share and teach ourselves!
Think I should ask Arnon (Foto: On my right) to directly communicate with you here. They are ever happy to note Igbos appreciation and kind words.
Feel free to DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THEM….think they will be ready to respond.
It waaooohs me to see how much emotional they are in sharing the ugly experience in Nig/Biafra War.
Shalom for Biafra!
Düsseldorf
Only but one day,don’t ask God wen or hw,He is not daed.
We are forever grateful to the Isrealis…Longlive the state of Isreal…as Biafra comes
Dear Editor of AHE, thank you.
This story should run and run I will tell it to my own children. They want to know what makes the Igbo tick. The Jews are our kindred and we share a lot culturally for example male circumcision within 8 days as in the Old Testament.
Thank you brave heros dead and living BIAFRA will resurrect mark my words; the boko – haramites shall bring it to fulfillment. Our Almighty God of Israel is renowned for fighting Israel’s battle with out a shot being fired by Israel.
Ebele G. Egbogah says:
December 6, 2011 at 11:33 am
Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. Till the sun stopped giving its light and the moon remained in its hiding place, ur labour of love would never be forgotten. God bless you grteatly.
Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. Till the sun stop giving it’s light and the moon remained in it’s hiding place, ur labour of love would never be forgotten. God bless you grteatly.
thanks AHE for publishing this story of how the Jewish servicemen assisted Biafra. This is an insightful and inspiring story of hope and encouragement. I will never forget meeting an Israel student in Italy years ago, who wanted to know more about Nigeria-Biafra war. She was a student of history and we talked about culture, religion, and social issues. She also wanted to learn how to speak Igbo language. The more I study the origin of Igbos and how Africa shaped Christianity, the more I’m convinced and in fact conclude that some Igbo people are of Hebrew and Jewish origin. History is fascinating and always has unique ways of repeating itself. Really the history of humanity is the story of God. History has both facts and truths. We must have Godly wisdom to discern the truth.
Kudos to African Herald for running this story. And to these men, wherever you are, my people said I should thank you all
Biafra we hail thee. May God reward thse brave men aand their families. What they did was more important because they helped to prevent genecide
Great story, Barak, Shimony, etc, and even P. Udegbunam that brough the story, you are all wonderful people. May Yahweh bless
Was just thinking what could be the best reward for these humanitarian helpers?
What could make them shout…….yeaaaaaahhhhhh…..we were right?
Can the answer be a free BIAFRA, that is in peace with Nigeria and its neighbours?
May Jehovah continue to abide with Israel and all those heroic men and countries that showed despite the rabid wickedness of forces of darkness over defenseless men, women and children that Biafrans and indeed humanity are one people under God. Biafra still lives and time will come when all the good men out there will see the glory of God and the wicked shall see damnation forever
I share this story with great emotions. First, I salute that spirit of service to humanity on the part of the Israelis. I want also to comment that some of us are children of that horrific time. Above all, however, the reference to ULI Airport remains one of those distorted story of Biafra/history of the Nigerian civil war. There was NEVER an ULI AIRPORT. What existed in fact and reality was the Biafran Airport at AMORKA, a sleepy town just after Uli on the way to Owerri. What happened was that human beings being what we are, some folks who would not volunteer their land to the war efforts still decided to reap where they never sowed, so they appropriated the name of the airport. Amorka on the other hand paid dearly for the location of that airport on its soil. So the un-distorted fact is that the so-called ULI is a historical fallacy, distortion of fact. On the other hand, the airport/airstrip was in fact and in deed actually located in Amorka, and so the truth account of the war can only be factually written when this historical fact is stated the way it is. The efforts of those Israeli pilots and crew can only take their proper place in history if this distortion is corrected. Those of them who lost their lives in any of those missions to Biafra did so at Amorka and NOT Uli. The relics of the Biafran airport at Amorka is still there till date for any journalist to verify. Kindly refer the Sunday Sun (newspaper)of November 27, 2011 page A2: Ojukwu’s Amo(r)ka bunker, airstrip.
As a child born after the war who read the account of the war in books,It really made me sad to discover that just before the war,the world powers came together and placed various embargo on biafra,and watched unconcerned as the mercenaries led federal troop tried to annihilate a major tribe in nigeria. The rest is history but im sure it is a thing of joy for many to discover that out there,some people at least cared enough to risk their lives to alleviate the sufferings and anguish of fellow mankind
3 Things:
1. One can never understand the deep joy of saving life until he saves one.
Yes, I can confirm meeting the pilots in Germany and Israel (see one of the Photos with me in middle in Tel-Aviv) on several occassions and still cannot stop being overwhelmed by emotions and tears of thankfullness whenever they tell me deep stories of my own Igbo people live! They are angry when recounting Biafra experience but joyous they DID something!
2. CORRECTION:
Though not necesssary but think its good to have it clear:
I am Biafran(Nig)-German NOT Nigerian-Israeli.
My deep-heart cannot wait to adopt that name BIAFRA! (Does heart lie?)
3. Will write and present to the editor, Alloy Ejimakor, a background story of our meetings, their stories and how God mysteriously brought us very close together.
KEY:
One may not underestimate the gravity, sincerity and impact of their testimonies in a court of law and truth.
BILIE getting to know these unique humanitarian helpers is a huge blessing! They are asset in many dimensions!
Jewish Barrack & co., I told you the Igbo people certainly loves you….and you can feel this through their comments. You will get a chance to witness this love one day in millions!
Longest and happy lives to you all!
Eng. Phil Udegbunam
Phil!
God bless you! I recounted several stories by my father in respect of the war – the wickedness of man to man. I was a toddler, running to save my life and then got lost during one of the raids! The plane was so low that I saw a white lady as a pilot. (I was later told that Egyptian pilots were on federal side). I had to be taken in by a benevolent soldier who found me at night and ensured that I lacked nothing (food of course) in the barracks. He later reunited me with my family after the war. God bless him! Those Israelis that endured pains, risks, deprivations, mosquitoes and enemy fires to feed us for no pecuniary gains are our inestimable heroes. They have nothing to loose by our deaths or to gain by our lives yet they sacrificed their lives to ensure we live. What can compare with such love. This happened years back Isn’t it? Now compare what we currently pass through being Nigerians. Our modern contemporaneous politicians still steal from the starving masses to stock up billions for their future children. Dim just passed on (such comet-driven heroes don’t die), no single corruption moral challenge/story, hear-say or insinuation was traceable to him. What if – just if Biafra is here! My friend Haruna from Adamawa confided in me that he told his children that if Biafra comes to be, they should go and nationalize there just because of our scientific and economic prowess! SOmething to think about.
Thank you Arnon, Ezra, Uri, Josef, Samuel. May God take of you and your children! Shalom
Wonderful story and great people. May God bless you guys for this sacrifice. You may never know the lives you save during those missions. Because of your commitment, those poor folks have lived. You showed the world a great example. And I am sure God is blessing you today.
Todah Raba Israel.. Great works as well as their stories never die.
I THANK THE JEWS FOR HAVING COMPASSION TOWARDS THE TRUE HEBREWS(IGOS)DURING OUR DARKEST HOUR.AFTER ALL ,THE JEWS OWE US ALOT.FOR THEY STOLE OUR HEBREWS HERITAGE AND MADE IT THEIRS.THANKS TO THEM ONCE AGAIN ,LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM TELLING THE WORLD THAT THE TRUE HEBREWS WHERE NOT THEM BUT SOME BLACKS LIVING IN AFRICA AND IN THE AMERICAS.I ONLY HOPE THEY ARE NOT USING THIS STORY TO SWAY OUR PEOPLE TO THEIR SIDE FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL GAIN.
Thank you the people of Israel,thank you for saving me from kwashiokor which i was a victim and thank god for guarding these brave jewish pilots for risking their lives for saving the BIAFRANS.
May the souls of the Redcross workers,Rev.fathers and sisters and all the people that helped biafran children during that war rest in peace.
May God bless you dearly for risking your lifes just to save life of your brothers & sisters who were victims of Nigerian genocide against Biafrans.
Blood is thicker than water. Thank you. Israel.
The state of Israel did marvelous.Biafra was victim of colonial agression and love for oil.Left to fight at par with Nigeria Biafra could have been a hge sucess but that never came.However one could ask, Who blockaded Bifar air land and sea?Who flew the jets killing civilians exceptionally all over Biafra?Who commanded that only civillian targets, schools, hospitals, markets, gatherings, homes, offices etc should be targeted?If the world power knew what did they do?Was it genocide?When a world power with all its arsenal sent more than the equipment they used in fighting againt Hitler in WW2 to Nigeria for extermination of Biafra and at same time prevented Biafra from defending herself?Shalom maranatha, Evenso cme Lord Jesus Christ!
All I can say is thank for the lives you saved against the determination of the wicked Nigerian state to exterminate hapless and helpless Biafran civilian population.may Yawheh reward you
Even our late Biafran warlord and hero – Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu recognised the assitance of Israel in these words –
“I thanked Israel for whatever help they had given us. I am constantly thanking other people whenever I meet them. I take it upon myself to maintain the symbolism of Biafra. I thank them” – Ojukwu.
We are all grateful to you for helping ur kinsmen in diaspora.
The Igbos have Israelite ancestry. Long separation from the land of Israel, and other Jewries were what intervened to make the Igbo unsure of his antecedents and ancestry. Any Igbo who forgets new trends like Afro-centrism, looks at Igbo culture seriously, and refers to the people who would know for directions would know where the Igbos originated from. Thanks.
I thank God for the Jewish involvement then, in saving a lot about their own Brethrens, and now the Creator is going to use the Biafra-yim in saving a lot among the Jews, especially in Israel as a nation.
No human created by God can repay anyone or group who might voluntarily and or willingly accept to put their own life in harms way in other to rescue the lives of the helpless, impoverished and at best in war turn and ravaged parts of the world. Only the almighty God can pay those humanitarians fully back. I thank you and your families for doing no one’s job and doing it well irrespective of the price. Your service to humanity stands out till infinity. Anyway, out history and genenoly dates back to Israel. Thanks for answering the call to save the lives of your extended family relatives.
It is high time the OHANAEZE NDIGBO do some thing.It is high time the IGBO NATION should take their stand.If those men can do all that for ME AND YOU to survive,we owe them.I want to let them know that wE(IGBo) will never forget them.Still want thank African Herald Express for disclosing this. IK Ejimakor.
Thanks AHE for publishing this story of how the Jewish servicemen assisted Biafra. This is an insightful and inspiring story of hope and encouragement. I will never forget meeting an Israel student in Italy years ago, who wanted to know more about Nigeria-Biafra war. She was a student of history and we talked about culture, religion, and social issues. She also wanted to learn how to speak Igbo language.
The more I study the origin of Igbos and how Africa shaped Christianity, the more I’m convinced and in fact conclude that some Igbo people are of Hebrew and Jewish origin. History is fascinating and always has unique ways of repeating itself. Really the history of humanity is the story of God. History has both facts and truths. We must have Godly wisdom to discern the truth.
Late DCOO was right; he was fighting for his Jerusalem. May his vision never die and may his soul continue to rest in perfect peace! Amen.
Ndeewo nu.
While an grateful Igbo nation worship at the altar of lies and falsehood, the true Igbo heroes, many who are not even Igbo remain unsung, un-mourned, un-thanked and unknown.
Who has not heard the cry of the Biafran veteran amputee who had been converted to beggars while those they gave their body parts for ignored them and those who led them, by their actions, told them that they and those who had given their lives to an ungrateful nation, died or gave their body parts for naught.
Today, a brethren sent me the story below of the real heroes who made it possible for Igbo to survive, and the beauty of it is that they are not even Igbo. Maazi Aloy, Igbo salute you and yours for this act!
To these great men/women who after being ignored all these years are now stepping forward to tell their story, the few Igbo, who still walk in the footsteps of our fore-parents, who understand the importance of gratefulness, Salute you, the true heroes of Igbo survival even at this late stage.
May Chi Ukwu (The Supreme Being) never forget your sacrifice in a time when the Igbo nation was without friends and destined for the dustbin of history, a people slated for extermination by an abominable evil conglomeration of nearly all the major powers on earth.
May you and your offspring never lack friends from now to eternity!
May all that you and your offspring touch always be extremely successful!
May the names of you and your offspring be written in the book of life!
May Chi Ukwu (the Supreme One) always answer the prayers of you and your offspring!
May it always be well with you.
It has been spoken and written, so it shall be, ISEEEE (Amen)!
Maazi Onumonu-Uzoaru
Maazi Onumonu, everyone is answerable to his/her actions/inactions. All of us, individually, has alot of work to do, so much that we cannot have time to do another’s work nor to review others work. Let us simply concentrate in following our recognised calling from above! Ya gazie.
I salute Arnon, Shimony and all the living and fallen heroes of this great Mission to save humanity. I will ever remain grateful, especially in this season of mourning Ojukwu, the ultimate hero. And thanks to Udegbunam that made this story happen on this site
Mr Barak and group,I will always tell your stories all my life, but the truth is I am alive today because of you.These are more than the areas that God,bonded America and Israel as one.These stories should be taught in all schools in Eastern Nigeria.My brother Barak,May the good Lord Bless your families from generation to generation.
Sir Alex. Obodo.