14 Facts About Mordechai Hod

Mordechai Hod originally had the surname Fein which he changed later on to Mordechai Hod, keeping with the prevalent custom that period of taking a Hebrew surname when joining the armed forces.

Mordechai Hod studied at a local Agriculture College before enlisting in the British Army in 1944, where he served as a driver.

Mordechai Hod was arrested and jailed for two weeks in Rome for taking part in such actions.

Mordechai Hod began his flight training career in Italy but was sent to Czechoslovakia.

Once purchased it was necessary to fly them to Israel, and after learning to fly the new planes, Mordechai Hod accompanied a group of fellow aviators on the seven-hour flight on 22 December 1948.

Mordechai Hod became a base commander in 1957, and three years later the head of IAF Operations.

Just one year later in 1961, Mordechai Hod was promoted to head of the Air Department in the General Staff.

Mordechai Hod would stay in this post until 27 April 1966, when Hod became Commander of the IAF.

Slightly more than a year into his job, Mordechai Hod faced an enormous predicament.

Mordechai Hod's strike, leaving only 12 planes to defend Israel, and aided with intelligence from Mossad and Aman, succeeded in destroying most of the Egyptian Air Forces.

The War of Attrition between Israel and Egypt would last from 1968 to 1970, and during that time Mordechai Hod directed airstrikes near the Suez Canal as well as deeper into Egyptian territory.

Mordechai Hod succeeded in downing a number of Soviet-piloted MiG aircraft operating on behalf of Egypt.

Mordechai Hod served as its president until 1977, when he left to become president of El Al, the Israeli national airline, a position he would hold to 1979.

Mordechai Hod later was appointed chairman of the main aerospace manufacturer in Israel, Israel Aircraft Industries.