On Eagles' Wings: The personal story of the leading commander of the Israeli Air Force

by Ezer Weizman

The former commander of the Israeli Air Force recounts his own rise from the ranks, the growth of his air force from pre-Independence secrecy to precision invincibility, and the struggle for men, material, and Israel's survival

Genres: Middle East, History, Israel, Military Fiction

302 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

was the seventh President of Israel, first elected in 1993 and re-elected in 1998. Before the presidency, Weizman was commander of the Israeli Air Force and Minister of Defense.
Weizman was born in Tel Aviv in the British Mandate of Palestine as Ezer Weizmann on 15 June 1924. His father, Yechiel, was an agronomist. He grew up in Haifa, and attended the Hebrew Reali School.

He married Reuma Schwartz, sister of Ruth Dayan, wife of Moshe Dayan, and they had two children, Shaul and Michal Weizman was a nephew of Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann. He died of respiratory failure at his home in Caesarea on 24 April 2005, at the age of 80. He is not buried on Mt. Herzl, where Israeli presidents and prime ministers are usually interred, but alongside his son and daughter-in-law in Or Akiva.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and easy to understand first-person telling of Ezer Weizman's life and career. He made his destiny the Israeli Air Force, and it paid off. Much of what he experienced and learned in his early days in the RAF and supporting the Jewish defense underground between World War II and the British Mandate period influenced his thinking and decisions later in the Israeli Air Force. Many of his efforts as a senior Air Force leader created the culture, discipline, and capability that would enable many of the Air Force victories that would establish security for the small and young state.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, interesting. After reading Weizman's book, read Angels in the Sky by Robert Gandt. There's more to the story of the Israeli air force than what is recorded in On Eagles' Wings.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memoirs of one of Israel's most important historical figures. I found it to be very entertaining and enlightening. While the story is serious for the most part (as Israel is a troubled country almost constantly at odds with its Arab neighbors)Weizman interjects many humorous anecdotes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his life and the development of the IAF over the years. Highly reccomended for those interested in History/military history.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1976, On Eagles' Wings is an autobiographical account of the military career of Ezer Weizman, one of the first pilots to fly combat missions for Israel in 1948, rising through numerous promotions to Commander of the Israeli Air Force and Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
His career continued to higher offices subsequent to the book, which helps put a retrospective spin on some of his experiences. For example, his poor impression of British military planning might be interesting in view of his subsequent role as Head of State. His experiences of varied combat aircraft both ancient and modern is priceless, such as his brief opinion of the Avia S-199 'The Messerschmidt (sic) was unfriendly, 'poker-faced', ungracious and hateful.... The Messerschmidt (sic) had an evil nature.' Don't mince words, Mr Weizman! This quote does also have a lot to do with the 'seat of the pants' style flying of 1948 and its transition over many years to the professionalism of the Israeli Air Force in the 1960s. Amazing.