Bitaon Chail Avir Israeli Air Force Magazine
September 20, 1948. The second respite from the War of Independence. IDF brigades are getting organized, thousands of young men are enlisting in the military and preparing for further combat. But besides all of the above historical facts, another event took place, which could be considered, relatively marginal, but nevertheless cannot be overlooked and must be mentioned here: the first issue of Betaon Chail Avir the Israeli Air Force Magazine was published. The editor in chief was a 22 years-old Pakkad Avir (“Aviation Officer”), which is equivalent to Second Lieutenant, Moshe Pomerantz.
The first issue did not have a cover photo. Says, Moshe "Pommy" Hadar, the first editor, in an interview with the Israel Air Force Magazine (IAFM), after his retirement in November 1985, "I wanted to call Gil Arbel, the regular photographer of the IAFM, but I couldn’t call him, Gil was only three years old then…" Pommy took a picture of Haifa Bay and photomontage a Spitfire formation, thus creating the first cover photo
Bitaon is Born
The first Bitaon (IAFM) contained only 29 pages and it told the story of the Israeli Air Force in its early days. The Bitaon used a language that today’s mainstream readers, using informal language may not understand. It reported heroic tales of young pilots, presented scholarly articles on foreign air forces and described life stories from the bases. The issue features black-and-white photos of old planes, Bible quotes, "wisdom pearls" linking to aviation and even some cartoons dripping with chauvinism.
The IAFM first issue commenced with an editorial invite to “all airmen, crew, bases and career personnel, to please participate in the magazine and submit material in the form of a story, a reportage (news report) or a song, discussing the life of the corps. It would be published under the section, ‘Our Air Force.” The prizes offered for the competition were flights over Israel. Apparently, already in 1948, during the War of Independence, at the age of 22, Pommy understood what would motivate people to participate.
And, of course, how is it possible without the "commander's word" written by (Pommy for…) the late Major General Aaron Remez: "It has been almost a year since the Hagganah decided to establish an Air Service. Indeed, it has been a long year for A.S. (Air Service) who grew up and became the Israeli Air Force, writing several magnificent pages in the history of Israeli War of Independence… perhaps the wider community has not yet learned to recognize and acknowledge the complex technical, organizational and human problems and difficulties of this corps and therefore not properly assess (and not all is known) our part in the war and our role in the victory and for keeping our country safe.” Yes, you read correctly, the IAF has not always had a glorious reputation. “
Remez (Pommy…the ghostwriter) continues and concludes: "Now as a sign of maturity and molding the IDF's spirit and image – we are promoting and welcoming the first printed issue of the Israeli Air Force Bitaon. This will serve as an intonation of our words and the echo of the war as an expression of our might."
Starting in Bitaon # 7 February 1950, the issues published in color. In Bitaon #24-15 from October-November 1953, Pommy writes on page 5-6, about the transformation to color.
The First Bitaon was published on 20 September 1948. The cost: 50 Mils Eretz Israel
LEAVES
It is not commonly known: BUT the very first Israeli Air Force Magazine, was Named, "Leaves." Only 3 issues were ever published
Leaves (Alim in Hebrew) was published as leaflets using stencil duplicator (mimeograph machine). After three issues (30 May 1948; 14 June 1948; 4 July 1948), the Air Force headquarter, for prestigious reasons, decided to publish a more premium format. Pommy was also the editor of “Leaves” and wrote many of the columns using numerous pen names. As a matter of fact, that’s where he started to write and publish his first Tzimukim under the column,"Little Leaves.”
Alim, issue no. 1 - 30 May 1948
Alim, issue no. 2 - 14 June 1948
Alim, issue no. 3 - 4 July 1948
Paper Models
Building paper craft models was a familiar hobby that intensified with its publication in the Air Force Magazine
"I have known the Israeli Air Force Bitaon since I was a child," said, Air Force commander, Major General Idan Nehushtan, on September 3, 2011, in an interview to Walla, honoring the 200 issue of the IAFmagazine. "I subscribed to the Betaon, assembled paper and plastic airplane models and I loved reading the Betaon and looking at the pictures of the airplanes. You could say that the paper models had a big impact on me joining the air force and finally, of course, recruiting for the pilot training academy. Throughout the years, the Betaon, remains a source of information and pride for the Corp.”
In April-May 1958, as part of the campaign to encourage interest in aviation careers, Pommy decided, to publish on the 10th anniversary of Independence, a Bitaon’s issue with a surprise addition – an aircraft paper model, the Dassault Mystère IVa, a French fighter-bomber aircraft.
The construction of aircraft models in the 1950s became the most widely accepted amateur hobby in the world. Pommy wanted to expose the readers of the IAFmagazine to this hobby. He also wanted to create a demand for the Betaon, which was at the time, one of the best media outlets to advertise the IAF. As a publicity man, Pommy knew how to capture the public attention and how to generate excitement by building expectations using curiosity and anticipation. He aimed to keep the reader in suspense. Tens of thousands of Israelis wondered which aircraft will be published at the next issue.
The Art of Building Model Airplanes
He...Remembers
In the article "Paper Wars" (Air Force Bitaon, Issue 117, October 1997), Samuel Vardy says, "I started building model airplanes in the 1960s, like most boys of that generation, I built, mainly, models published in Air Force Bitaon." Until recently, Vardi was a permanent enlisted soldier in the Israeli Air Force counter-air defense. "Every Beton with a model attached was a celebration for us. I remember how, as a kid, before I even started building myself, I was clinging attentively to the window display of one of the stores in Jerusalem, watching on display the paper model of the ‘Britannia’ aircraft carrier. In fact, today’s model making is an advanced incarnation of that childhood love. Then we built the model exactly as it appeared in the Betaon, cut the body strips, loop and wrap them around a cylinder to give the body a volume. I am quivering when I recall the instructions, directing us to attach the wheel using a match.”
It Inspired Me
"It all started with the paper model airplane published to the issues of the Air Force Bitaon," recalls, Raanan Weiss. "At that time, I was in middle school and the building of model airplanes really fascinated me. I even started designing aircraft models myself. When I had to choose a high school, I chose the Air Force Technical School in Haifa because of my love for planes. Later, I moved to build plastic aircrafts model. I built it in an hour and run to the store to buy another one. Gradually, I learned how to glue and paint the models. Just before enlisting in the IDF, I wrote a letter to Aviahu Ben-Nun, then the Air Force commander, and offered to give him a model of the F-16 aircraft I built." Weiss continues, "I was surprised when I received an invitation to come to the IAF's bureau. I didn't know then that this was just the beginning. He asked me if I could make a model of a Sikorsky Sea Stallion as well. Ever since, when a model was needed or when previous models had to be repaired, they contacted me.
Today, Ra'anan Weiss is 30, a graphic artist by profession. He is married to Niba, also a graphic artist and a father of the one-year-old Rotem. His close relationship with the IAF earned him, at the end of his service, a flight on the Israeli made Kfir combat aircraft – a flight he will never forget, against the backdrop of the snowy mountains of winter 1992.
The Readiness and at War Bitaon Krav (IAFmagazines) Six Day War 1967
In the months prior to June 1967, tensions between Israel and its neighbors became dangerously heightened. Following years of diplomatic friction and skirmishes as well as the closer of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships and the mobilizing of Egyptian forces along its border had risen the probability of a war.
On May 20, 1967, Pommy launched the first ever issue of the On-Call Bitaon. It was designed in a larger format, like a daily newspaper. The purpose of the Readiness Bitaon was to boost morale, provide news and inform to airman, ground crew and maintenance, operation and administration and personnel of the IAF abilities and might. There were total of 8 on-call Betonim.
On June 5, 1967, Israel Air Force and the IDF launched preemptive air strikes that crippled the air forces of Egypt and its allies, the first @ War Betaon Krav was published. Over all during the Six Day War, only 3 Bitonay Krav were published, the last one on June 9, 1967. In each of the issues, Pommy published the He…column.
The next time the @ War Bitaon Krav was published, was on Yom Kippur October 7, 1973. Over all 20 Bitonay Krav were published. In each of the issues, Pommy published the He…column.
On June 9, 1982, during the first Lebanon War, the @War Bitaon Krav published 3 issues. At that time Pommy, no longer was the editor in chief but as the head of public relations, he continued to write his He…column.
In the months prior to June 1967, tensions between Israel and its neighbors became dangerously heightened. Following years of diplomatic friction and skirmishes as well as the closer of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships and the mobilizing of Egyptian forces along its border had risen the probability of a war.
On May 20, 1967, Pommy launched the first ever issue of the On-Call Bitaon. It was designed in a larger format, like a daily newspaper. The purpose of the Readiness Bitaon was to boost morale, provide news and inform to airman, ground crew and maintenance, operation and administration and personnel of the IAF abilities and might. There were total of 8 on-call Betonim.
On June 5, 1967, Israel Air Force and the IDF launched preemptive air strikes that crippled the air forces of Egypt and its allies, the first @ War Betaon Krav was published. Over all during the Six Day War, only 3 Bitonay Krav were published, the last one on June 9, 1967. In each of the issues, Pommy published the He…column.
The next time the @ War Bitaon Krav was published, was on Yom Kippur October 7, 1973. Over all 20 Bitonay Krav were published. In each of the issues, Pommy published the He…column.
On June 9, 1982, during the first Lebanon War, the @War Bitaon Krav published 3 issues. At that time Pommy, no longer was the editor in chief but as the head of public relations, he continued to write his He…column.
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Maj. Gen. Mordechai (Motti) Hod, Commender of the IAF, presenting the Bitaon Krav to the Prime Minister, Levi Eshkol, 1967
The At War Bitaon Krav Yom Kippur, 1973
The Israeli Air Force War Magazine (Bitaon Chail Avir B’krav) gave a close look at what was happening in the corps throughout the Yom Kippur war. The stories of the legacy, the painful victims, the words of the corps officials and the testimonies from the field were all immortalized in the historical issues of the magazine.
“The Air Force War Magazine accompanies the Air Force fighters every day.” That was Pommy's promise, in the first issue editorial, October 7, 1973. Pommy kept that promise for 20 more issues, until the ceasefire, on October 24, 1973. Indeed, the magazine accompanied all the famous moments in real time. At the outbreak of the war, the magazine became a daily newspaper and informational conduit, that combined all the daily news and events into a fascinating and detailed picture with extensive and in-depth coverage.
Each issue, contained Pommy’s favorite writing, the “HE” (pronounce “WHO” in Hebrew) column. A humorous, morale booster, topical material column for pilots, maintenance crews, IAF personnel and reservists. Pommy also wrote and published all the daily missions command for the Air Force commanders.
This is what was predicted in the second issue of the Yom Kippur War edition of the Air Force Magazine, published on October 8, 1973, Pommy coined the name of the war, just two days after the outbreak of one of the most groundbreaking wars in Israeli history that became a milestone in the Air Force's history. The IAF War Magazine wrote: “Aleph is the Phantom fighter-bomber pilot, Beta, a navigator. A few minutes ago they left the squadron's briefing room, where they reported their first sortie, for now, in this war, which still has no name. As for Beta, at least, it will surely be called the Yom Kippur War. This is because he made his first sortie, together with Aleph, while fasting and he broke his fast only after the Phantom has landed."
In the last issue of the Yom Kippur IAF war magazine, dad wrote the final mission commend, on behalf of then Air Force commander, the late Benjamin (Benny) Peled, he concluded: “There is still a lot of work ahead of us and many lessons to be learned. We will be prepared as one man to sow a tremendous blow, ready for the next in the same way we learned to do everything better than the last time."
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At War Bitaon, the First Lebanon War June, 1982
On June 9, 1982, during the first Lebanon War, the @War Bitaon Krav published 3 issues. At that time Pommy, no longer was the editor in chief but as the head of public relations, he continued to write his He…column
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Pommy’s Military Ranks and Transformations through the Eyes of the Betaon
Using the various Betonim (IAFmagazines), we traced Pommy’s ranks as well as change of surname during his 10 years of military service 1948-1958, before becoming a civilian military employee.
According to Beton #6 (November 3, 1949) the editor: Pakkad Avir Second Lieutenant, Moshe Pomerantz
Beton #8 (May 8, 1950) the editor: Pakkad Tayas First Lieutenant, Moshe Pomerantz
Beton #13-14 (April-May 1951) the editor: Seren, Captain, Moshe Pomerantz
Beton #20 (July-August 1952) the editor: Rav-Seren, Major, Moshe Pomerantz
Beton #33 (September-October 1955) the editor: Rav-Seren Major, Moshe Hadar (Pomerantz). Pommy Hebrewtized his surname from Pomerantz to Hadar
Beton #34 (December 1955-January 1956) the editor: Rav-Seren Major, Moshe Hadar
Beton #46 (November 1958) is the last time the editor: Rav-Seren, Major, Moshe Hadar.
Beton #47 (March 1959) the editor: Moshe Hadar (as a civilian military employee there was no longer a requirement to post his military rank).
Pommy, on the right, to the left is the compositor, who set the type for printing.
Notice how cast metal type were composed into words, then lines, then paragraphs, then pages of text and tightly bound together to make up a form, with all letter faces exactly the same "height to paper", creating an even surface of type. The form was placed in a press, inked, and an impression made on paper.
The military printing shop was the IDF printing press, defined as a military unit and located at the base of Tel Hashomer.
The Story Behind the Picture on the Wall
For years a gouache painting (18”X25”) adorned Pommy’s office. The picture depicts a Mystère fighter-bomber on a ground attack mission. Only lately, the mystery and the story behind this painting was discovered. In October 1966, on the tenth anniversary of the Sinai War, Pommy published a special Bitaon (No. 72). The cover page (see right, below) was a gouache painting of a Mystère fighter-bomber on a ground attack mission in the Sinai Peninsula, by an 18 years old artist named of Daniel (Dan) Shalom. In the same Betaon, appeared a reportage (pages 53-57) titled, Aircrafts in the Stroke of the Brush, about the young artist, who was one of the only aircrafts’ painters in Israel. Pommy had an eye to discover talents and Danny was one of them.
Fifty years after the above article was published, the IAFmagazine published an article on 13 May 2019 by Adi Leshem on Danny (Daniel) Shalom
Click on Danny's picture below for the full article
The Betaon - A Creative Incubator
The dozens of reporters, photographers, graphic artists, painters, and cartoonists who began their journey at the Betaon continued and prospered professionlly. Many remained, friends and became Pommy’s colleagues. He was proud of their success. In the near future we will mention some of them.
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