By Ephraim Ben Israel

Ze'ev Jabotinsky and Joseph Trumpeldor each knew the others heroical deeds before they met and formed the Jewish Legion. Trumpeldor was born in the Caucasus in the year 1880. Despite his not being allowed to attend a university because he was Jewish, Trumpeldor managed to become a dentist. He then served in the Czarist army during the Russo-Japanese war of 1905.

Trumpeldor's regiment was sent to Port Arthur, and there he lived through eleven terrible months of siege. In a fierce battle, he lost his left arm, Almost to the shoulder, but kept fighting while injured and in pain. No sooner had he come out of the hospital than he demanded to be sent back to the front, He knew he had a mission to accomplish, and insisted showing the Russian generals that Jews are strong and do not give up. Everyone in the Russian army knew of Trumpeldor's bravery. He was an inspiration to all those around him.

After the fall of Port Arthur, Trumpeldor was taken prisoner by the Japanese forces, together with the rest of General Stoessel's army. He spent many months in a prisoner of war camp with deplorable conditions, but kept his spirits up because he came to the realization of the most important thing he had to do - transform the Jewish people from oppression to a strong nation. He then, while In captivity, organized Zionist societies and collected money for the Jewish National Fund.

After the war he was granted a reserve officers rank, and until 1917 he was, with the rank of Captain, the only Jewish officer in the Russian Army. He then entered the University of St, Petersburg, completed his law studies, and immediately left for Eretz Israel. There he worked in Degania and other settlements, not as an attorney as he was trained, but rather doing any job that had to be done. All the other settlers agreed that with his one arm he was yet the strongest and the best of the agricultural workers.

Later he worked with Jabotinsky to form the Zion Mule Corps of the British Army. Formed in April, 1915, this was the first Jewish army in nearly two thousand years. The Zion Mule Corps was led by Lieutenant Commander John Henry Patterson until he could no longer serve. At that point, Trumpeldor became the officer in charge. This made him the first Jew to command a Jewish army in two thousand years. Later this group evolved into The Jewish Legion.

Five years later, at Tel-'Hai, Trumpeldor was immortalized with the words 'ein davar', never mind.

Jabotinsky and Trumpeldor disagreed on the importance of the northern region. Jabotinsky felt it was impossible to defend the north. Trumpeldor, on the other hand, felt it was vital and took the mission upon himself.

As the leader of a group of fifty legionnaires, he defended the fortress of Tel-'Hai in northern Eretz Israel against an attack by 5000 Arabs. Being the northern most as well as virtually inaccessible outpost, it was almost impossible to defend, and Trumpeldor knew it. He felt strongly that someone had to defend the northern boundary. He took the challenge himself because he knew it had to be done.

During the battle to defend northern Eretz Israel from Arab takeover, the fortress fell into siege. Without any sign of reinforcements on the way, the residents of the fortress protected themselves with the limited supplies they had left.

They were surrounded. There was no way to call for help. They were isolated from the rest of the yishuv. They were alone in their battle. One night, Trumpeldor found a way to get one person past the surrounding enclave, and was able to send for help. The reinforcements were on the way, but did not arrive in time on that fateful day.

Fighting with only one arm, he was known as the strongest fighter in the fort. Wounded, he remained in battle. But even that was not enough. The settlers realized Tel-'Hai was about to fall. Instead of allowing the fortress to be captured by the attacking Arabs, they burned what they could. Only the stones remained. Trumpeldor was taken to a hospital. Then his last words were spoken. 'Tov le'mut Be'artzanu' it is good to die for ones country.

Trumpeldor is regarded as a hero of Israel by all. His vision and fortitude secured Israel's northern section. Trumpeldor influenced Jabotinsky with his strong belief in providing to the Jewish people a new idea. Trumpeldor stressed what was needed of jews, rather than what a Jew wanted for himself. "If you need a hammer, I will be a hammer, if you need a nail, I will be the nail" he would say. Jabotinsky realized Trumpeldor was right, and in his honor, Jabotinsky named Betar - B'rith Yosef Trumpeldor.