SOMERTON MAN MYSTERY, GOLD AND PEOPLE SMUGGLING LINKS?...

 

Australia's Secret Role in Israel's
War of Independence & A Link To Gold & People Smuggling

 LOCKHEED LODESTAR

Room For Just 8 Passengers & 2 Crew

Introduction

Right after World War II ended, a different kind of war erupted in the Middle East.

Israel, the new kid on the block, was surrounded by hostile neighbors ready to go to war. And while the world watched the drama unfold, a small, determined group of Australian Jews quietly stepped in, offering more than just moral support. They took part in the fight for Israel’s survival from thousands of miles away—and their work, though risky and under the radar, made a world of difference.

The Story So Far

In those immediate post-war years in Sydney and Melbourne, a covert operation began to take shape. Behind the scenes, Zionist leaders like Max Freilich, Horace Bonheim Newman, and Jack Skolnik were hard at work. What they were doing wasn’t exactly legal, but they didn’t let that stop them. They were rounding up airplanes, arms, and people willing to fight for the newly formed state of Israel.

Danny Agronski, whose father had started the Palestine Post, was a key player in all of this. Danny was more than just a journalist’s son, though—he was a Haganah/IDF ( Israeli Militia) operative who had come to Australia on a mission. His goal? To secretly secure military equipment for Israel. Only a handful of people even knew he was in the country.

Dr. Suzanne Rutland’s deep dive into the files of the Department of Internal Security gives a glimpse into just how vital this operation was. She pieced together the story of how the Australian Jewish community—and even some non-Jewish Aussies—quietly pitched in to help Israel. They didn’t just send planes and weapons. Some even volunteered to join the fight themselves.

MUCH MORE TO READ HERE>>>

Then there’s the story of Gregory Hanlon, an Australian and part owner of New Holland Airways and a pilot who wasn’t Jewish but didn’t hesitate to help out.

Hanlon, through his connection with Max Freilich, agreed to fly one of the planes to Israel. The journey was full of dangers, but, for him, the cause was worth the risk. As you will read later in this post, there was a lot more to Mr.Hanlon and one of his business associates in New Holland Airways than might appear.

Despite the Australian government keeping a close eye on these activities, Freilich, Newman, Skolnik, and their allies didn’t back down. Their secret work became crucial in supplying Israel with the resources it needed to defend itself and eventually secure its independence.


Gold smuggling : 

       A shadowy associate of the Australian principals of New Holland Airways was a US citizen (or so it was thought), Gunning P. Plunkett who was living in Sydney just after the end of the war. A Plunkett family history gives the following candid account:  
“Gunning Patrick Plunkett also used the name "Des". He started New Holland Air Line (sic) with a partner after the war. The company was registered in Italy and flew from Rome to Sydney with various places of call. One plane was purchased from Disposals at the beginning of the venture and within a short period of time there were 5 planes in operation. The licence of this charter line permitted carriage of passengers on the journey to Australia but the return trip was to be used entirely for the conveying of cargo. His sudden acquisition of riches was viewed with suspicion by the authorities and a constant watch was placed on all outgoing movements. Patrick however, had little intention of endangering his successful venture and the New Holland Air Line (sic) was never used as a conveyor of any gold bullion. In fact the gold travelled quite frequently strapped to the belt of one of the crew members of a rival airway.”  (New Guinea)

      Further detail on “Des” Plunkett and New Holland Airways partner Greg Hanlon comes from the late Captain Pat Armstrong:

      “Des Plunkett was an associate of Greg Hanlon who was a spiv who wore immaculate white suits and stayed at Raffles in Singapore. Des was associated with the planes of several companies that operated the migrant charters.  Hanlon had developed contacts in the gold mining areas of outback Australia. The miners apparently filched a little of the gold they mined for their employers and paid for their drinks with the local publicans. The publicans could not get rid of the gold because it was a highly controlled. Hanlon would buy it from these publicans and befriended several Qantas pilots who agreed to fly the gold overseas for Hanlon, sometimes to Hong Kong but mainly to India. On one such flight the Hong Kong Customs intercepted and seized the gold and arrested the crew. The Australian newspapers headlined the arrest and the Qantas crew was subsequently sacked. With their couriers exposed, the trade ceased and Plunkett and Hanlon dropped from sight.”  91
“Gunning Patrick Plunkett also used the name "Des". He started New Holland Air Line (sic) with a partner, after the war. The company was registered in Italy and flew from Rome to Sydney with various places of call. One plane was purchased from Disposals at the beginning of the venture and within a short period of time there were 5 planes in operation. The licence of this charter line permitted carriage of passengers on the journey to Australia but the return trip was to be used entirely for the conveying of cargo. His sudden acquisition of riches was viewed with suspicion by the authorities and a constant watch was placed on all outgoing movements. Patrick, however, had little intention of endangering his successful venture and the New Holland Air Line (sic) was never used as a conveyor of any gold bullion. In fact the gold travelled quite frequently strapped to the belt of one of the crew members of a rival airway.” 

      Further detail on “Des” Plunkett and New Holland Airways partner Greg Hanlon comes from the late Captain Pat Armstrong:

      “Des Plunkett was an associate of Greg Hanlon who was a spiv who wore immaculate white suits and stayed at Raffles in Singapore. Des was associated with the planes of several companies that operated the migrant charters.  Hanlon had developed contacts in the gold mining areas of outback Australia. The miners apparently filched a little of the gold they mined for their employers and paid for their drinks with the local publicans. The publicans could not get rid of the gold because it was highly controlled. Hanlon would buy it from these publicans and befriended several Qantas pilots who agreed to fly the gold overseas for Hanlon, sometimes to Hong Kong but mainly to India. On one such flight the Hong Kong Customs intercepted and seized the gold and arrested the crew. The Australian newspapers headlined the arrest and the Qantas crew was subsequently sacked. With their couriers exposed, the trade ceased and Plunkett and Hanlon dropped from sight.”  

The above is to be found on the Goodall site here:
https://www.goodall.com.au/migrant-caper/migrantcaper.html

There are many names and locations provided on the page, some may be familiar including some within the New Guinea gold smuggling scene.

The Lockheed Lodestar above is a converted Hudson Bomber photographed at Bankstown airport in October 1948 just before take off for Rome then Israel. Note the open bomb bay doors. 

There is far more detailed information to be FOUND HERE >>>>>

Conclusion

The role Australian Jews and others played in Israel’s War of Independence is an intriguing one providing as it does, just some of the historical context behind the Somerton Man mystery, theirs is a story of human spirit and unity. They, while far from the center of the action, still managed to make a real difference.

Despite the other somewhat chequered history of some of the players in this game, the bravery, determination, and willingness of the others to fight for a cause they believed in, even in the shadows, left a lasting mark on the foundation of Israel. It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest impact comes from the quietest of actions, often hidden just beneath the surface.

Footnote

This article is one of a series that is intended to provide followers with a detailed view of the happenings within Australia in the years leading up to the discovery of the man's body on Somerton Beach. While this man is, of course, a major focus of the Somerton Man Mystery and the research and investigation effort, his story and that of others form only a part of a far bigger picture and the game that was being played at the time.

Will we find the answers or part of them hidden in this story? The websites provide some fascinating information that, to the best of my knowledge has not as yet been covered by others.