Chaim Laskov: Encyclopedia II - Chaim Laskov - Military career

Chaim Laskov - Military career

When Israel's War of Independence erupted in 1948, Laskov assumed responsibility for preparing the framework in which new recruits would be trained. He organized the first officers' course, and formed the graduates into a brigade that fought at Latrun during Operation Nahshon. One month later, in May 1948, he returned to Latrun as commander of Israel's first armored battalion, which fought with the 7th Brigade. He commanded the entire brigade during Operation Dekel and Operation Hiram, and participated in the many battles over control of the Galilee. In July, he finally returned to training new recruits, now with the rank of major general.

Although he had never been a pilot, Laskov was appointed commander of the Israeli Air Force in 1951. During his tenure, the airforce prepared to incorporate its first jet fighter, the Meteor. Upon completing his tenure in 1953, Laskov left the army to study philosophy, economics, and political science in the United Kingdom. He also obtained additional military training there.

In 1955, he returned to Israel, where he was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Senior Staff Officer, however, after a series of professional disputes with Moshe Dayan, he was demoted to Commander of the Armored Corps. During the 1956 Sinai Campaign, he commanded the 77th Division, which operated on the Rafah-el-Arish-Kantara front. Upon the death of Asaph Simchoni, Chief of the Southern Command, in a plane crash, Laskov assumed his position, and oversaw the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Sinai Peninsula.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Military career", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki