Report of interview with Mr Akaviah

  • Reference
    • GB 133 HOW/21
  • Dates of Creation
    • 11 Apr 1950
  • Physical Description
    • 4 sheets

Scope and Content

Hay's interview with Avraham Akavia 1916-2014, lexicographer and military historian.

Akavia says he translated Wingate's lectures at Ein Harod. Wingate's first interpreter was Raphi Atlas, who had a tendency to embellish Wingate's words, but later Akaviah became his translator. Akavia says quality of Wingate's military lectures was high but as a rule British soldiers did not attend them. He believes Wingate was "a genius in planning, training and leading me into action." Briefly mentions service with Wingate in Abyssinia during Second World War. Says Wingate found Archibald Wavell "very simple minded" and wrote a critical review of Wavell's book on Allenby, but decided not to publish this.