Under a false identity behind enemy lines: the last Jewish fighter from the secret unit has passed away
Jack "Zacky" Mann, the last Jewish fighter among the elite British SAS and LRDG units from their founding during World War II, has passed away at the age of 100. Dan Fox, president of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen (AJEX), paid tribute: "The last of the original SAS, Jack, has passed away at 100. A hero, a gentleman, and an inspiration."
Jack "Zacky" Mann, the last Jewish fighter among the elite British SAS and LRDG units from their founding during World War II, has passed away at the age of 100. Dan Fox, president of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen (AJEX), paid tribute: "The last of the original SAS, Jack, has passed away at 100. A hero, a gentleman, and an inspiration. We wish his wife Helga and his family long life. May his memory be blessed." Mann was born in Cairo, Egypt, to Jewish parents. After hearing from family members about the fate of the Jews and the atrocities of the Nazis, he decided to enlist in the British army, lying about his age to join at just 17. In 1942, he was accepted into the Royal Corps of Signals, but thanks to his command of several languages, he was assigned to special operations. He was transferred to the LRDG unit, which conducted patrols and raids deep in enemy territory in the Libyan desert against Rommel's forces. Later, he served in the SOE, "Churchill's secret warriors," and participated in "Operation Postmaster" in 1942. Finally, he served in the SAS, which became a model for special units worldwide, including the Israeli Sayeret Matkal.