Vellum DS, in Hebrew, signed “D. Ben-Gurion,” one page, 5 x 6.5, May 1948. In full: “We hereby announce with profound sorrow that David Bash of blessed memory fell in the line of duty on 7 Iyar 5708 (16.5.48) in Tel Aviv. The Government of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces and the Jewish people will always carry the memory of David, who fell in defense of the homeland and in the battle for its freedom and independence.” On May 14, 1948, the Jewish Provisional Government proclaimed the sovereign State of Israel and Ben-Gurion became its first prime minister. At dawn on May 15, Egyptian planes dropped bombs on Tel Aviv. United Press reported that on May 16, “Arab warplanes bombed this capital of the new state of Israel [Tel Aviv] four times” and “Haganah, the Jewish army, asserted that it had defeated the Egyptians in the south in the first battle between Egyptian and Jewish ground forces since the proclamation of the Jewish state. Five Jews were killed in the third of today's raids on the waterfront area of the capital by groups of Arab fighter-bomber planes. Two of the raiding craft were shot down.” It is possible that Basch was one of the five Jews mentioned in that news report. Staple to top right corner, and some scattered light toning and soiling, otherwise fine condition. RRAuction COA.
