Australia's Secret Role in Israel's
War of Independence & A Link To Gold & People Smuggling
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.
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 :
“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.”
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. There is far more detailed information to be FOUND HERE >>>>>
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.
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.
Read about this, never thought about a linkTSM though. They tried to get a squadron of old Beaufighters over ther\e but the Australian Government stopped it. 6 beaufighters made it out from the UK though, they told the authorities that they were going to be used in a war film!
ReplyDeleteReading through the content of the linked websites, there are names, places and for want of a better term, circumstances that add to the mystery of the environment in which the body of the Somerton Man was found.. There are links to Singapore, there's a pilot by the name of Lockyer and the possibility of Australian Government or one or more of its agencies, involvement in what was an incredibly complex and intriguing time. And as always in such times, large amounts of cash or gold. At the fringes there is the possibility of the involvement of Australian Military intelligence to be considered. Some interesting posts to follow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! Gold smugglers, immigration queue jumpers, false ID papers, publicans exchanging grog for gold swiped by naughty miners. What a haul! Goodbye Carl Webb, Hello Mr.Plunkett! (And a cast of hundreds Ha!)
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting read, you have to wonder how many Soviet 'illegals' arrived this way? Especially with the talk of fake passports etc. It wasn't just the front door that was left open, the back door, the barn doors and the front gate were left open as well
ReplyDeleteNot sure that you're breaking entirely new ground, although I have to say that I hadn't seen anywhere near as much details as your linked pages are showing. I think it was back in the early days when the issue of Gold smuggling came up but I'm pretty sure that it didn't mention how publicans tok gold dust from moiners in exchange for their beer. Nice detail that, as is the flight engineers wearing a belt full of gold and 'exporting' it to Singapore and India. Wonder if George Marshall was somehow connected to this? And maybe Pakie?
ReplyDeleteI remember the gold smuggling stories on the Adelaide Uni FB page, about 2010 I think. Not quite the 'ripping yarn' that this one looks like though. It was about the time you did that stuff on the fake petrol coupons, some bloke from Melbourne was hawking them around Glenelg if I remember rightly.
ReplyDeleteWhat made me smile with this post was the story about aircraft maintenance men supposedly beating the gold into the shape of panels for the engine cowlings and painting them silver, what a great yarn. Have to think there's more like that in amongst all of this material. In the end though we're supposed to be looking for any connections to SM, it looks to be mostly 'unbroken' ground so there's a reasonable chance there will be something worth following up.
ReplyDeleteA silly question I know but how many stories like this have you got up your sleeve GC?
ReplyDeleteFair question, the odd one or three is probably a fair answer :) It's all in the timing..
ReplyDelete