16 Facts About Haim Laskov

Haim Laskov was an Israeli public figure and the fifth Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.

Haim Laskov was born in Barysaw in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Haim Laskov immigrated to Palestine with his family in 1925.

Haim Laskov served as a personal messenger for Yaakov Dori, who would later become the first Chief of Staff.

In 1940, Haim Laskov joined the British Army so that he could participate in World War II.

Haim Laskov served in various capacities, and was a commander of the Jewish Brigade which saw action on the Italian front, eventually reaching the rank of major.

Haim Laskov organized the first officers' course, and formed the graduates into a brigade that fought at Latrun during Operation Nahshon.

Haim Laskov commanded the entire brigade during Operation Dekel and Operation Hiram, and participated in the many battles over control of the Galilee.

In 1958, Haim Laskov was appointed Chief of General Staff, replacing Moshe Dayan.

One of the great scandals that occurred during Haim Laskov's tenure, was a surprise exercise to test the mobilization of the reserves, on April 1,1959.

Haim Laskov later described the crisis as the most dramatic of his tenure as IDF Chief of the General Staff.

Haim Laskov resigned his position of Chief of General Staff in 1961 after a relatively peaceful tenure, marred only by clashes with the Syrians.

Haim Laskov established Israel's National Defense College to promote IDF generals' fluency in strategic concepts.

In 1961, Haim Laskov was appointed director general of the Ports Authority, and it was during his tenure that the port of Ashdod, now Israel's major port, was constructed.

Haim Laskov continued to write military training manuals and submitted numerous articles to military journals.

In 1972, Haim Laskov became the country's first Soldier's Ombudsman, a post he held for ten years, until his death.