Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

In 1942, Gideon Weisser, age 15½ years, attended training at kvutzat Mazada and joined a group of youth from Tel Aviv who called themselves “Lehava”.
Gideon Weisser cites: "The training meant that we worked every morning and afterwards would receive training with weapons."

In 1943, Gideon Weisser and his group were sent to kibbutz Ramat Yochanan.

At the end of 1945, Gideon Weisser joined the Hermesh חרמש group at kibbutz Naan קיבוץ נען.

Gideon Weisser cites: "Uri Egozi and I volunteered for the Palyam, without knowing into what we were getting involved in. I thought that that would be the field of action in the near future,"

Gideon Weisser was sent with a squad to Ayelet HaShachar, where they helped in immigration from Syria and Lebanon.
Gideon Weisser cites: "There were some young men among them who came to train in the Hagana and then return to their countries of origin. There were also whole families of young and old whom we brought to Rosh Pina, and were later scattered throughout the country."

In 1946, the Palmach פלמ"ח Squad Commanders' course (קורס מפקדי כיתות (מ"כים , which and lasted four months, was held at Sdot Yam שדות ים.
Commander: Avraham Zakai
Boat commanders:
* Meir Falik

Attendees:
* Gideon Weisser

Gideon Weisser cites: "On the 23rd of November 1945, four sailboats sailed south and came opposite Kibbutz Shefayim. We waited there for the arrival of the Aliyah Bet immigrant ships that were scheduled to appear. At about midnight the “Berl Katznelson” arrived with olim from Greece. When we were almost done a British destroyer appeared and put out a number of small launches, which took over the ship and started chasing us. They succeeded in catching two of our boats but the other two managed to escape. There were six men in each boat. Our boat was towed to Jaffa and after being questioned by the CID we were taken to the prison
camp at Latrun."

The Palyam פלי"ם‎ No. 4 Naval Officers' course:
Commanders:
* Shmuel Tankus
* Dov 'Berchik' Magen
Attendees:
* Grisha Gurewitz
* Gideon Weisser
* Yisrael Zack
Gideon Weisser cites: "At the beginning of 1947 I returned to working full time in the Palyam and participated in officers’ course number 4 which was based at Kibbutz Yagur."
Yisrael Zack cites: "I participated in the 4th course for naval officers under the tutelage of Shmuel Tankus and Berchik (Dov Magen of Ramat Hashofet)."
"We lived in tents at Kibbutz Yagur and studied at the Technion in Haifa."

On May 8, 1948, leNitzachon לניצחון sailed from Brindisi, carrying 189 passengers.
She had been prepared for the voyage in the Golfo di Gaeta.
Benny Kravitz served as Palyam Commander aboard leNitzachon לניצחון.
Gideon Weisser served as Palyam escort aboard leNitzachon לניצחון.
Reuven Orenstein Oren served as Gidoni , wireless radio operator, aboard leNitzachon לניצחון.

 

Benny Kravitz served as Palyam Commander aboard LeNitzachon לניצחון.

Reuvan Orenstein Oren served as Gidoni, wireless radio operator, aboard LeNitzachon לניצחון.

Gideon Weisser served as Palyam escort, and was responsible for training the Maapilim in the use of weapons, aboard Lenizachon לניצחון.
Gideon Weisser cites: "We arrived at the port of Tel Aviv on the 17th of May and the olim disembarked in broad daylight."