"Leket Shirim L'Yaldei Hagola Shai Mi'Chayalim Ivrim". Italy, 1944

"Leket Shirim L'Yaldei Hagola Shai Mi'Chayalim Ivrim". Italy, 1944
[105] leaves. 15 cm.
Booklet printed by stencil by the Jewish Transportation Unit 178, published by HaChayil HaIvri. Italy, Adar 1944.
Booklet with Hebrew poems prepared for print by the drivers of the Jewish Transportation Unit in the British army, when they were at the battle front. It was written to lift the spirits of the Jewish children at the end of the war. The booklet includes Hebrew folk and patriotic songs with illustrations. Divided into sections: Shabbat songs, patriotic songs for the revitalized homeland, songs of construction and labor, heroic songs and more.
This is the first time that some of these songs were ever printed, and were composed by the soldiers themselves. The booklet ends with blank pages upon which the children could write new songs. One of these pages features the handwritten song "Chayalim Almonim" composed by Lechi commander, Yair Stern. "Yosef" dedicated the song to "Aryeh Grossman". Unit 178 was one of the only units that was headed by an Eretz-Yisraeli Jewish commander, Major Wellesley Aron, in the summer of 1944.
Jacket with front and back illustrations. Preface addressed to the children in Hebrew and Germany.
Tear on the bottom of the jacket title page, not affecting text. Stains.
Fine condition.