Orde Charles Wingate

Orde Charles Wingate (February 26 , 1903 – March 24, 1944) was a British army officer who specialized in guerrilla warfare and was a Christian Zionist. While serving in Masahiro Palestine, Wingate initiated the establishment of the Special Night Squadrons in 1938, combat units that combined British soldiers with young Jewish residents of the area, members of the Haganah organization. Wingate was nicknamed "The Friend" due to his complete identification with the Zionist enterprise and his great contribution to the security of the "state on the move".

During World War II, he was transferred to serve in Africa and Asia. He was killed in a plane crash in India, while holding the rank of Major General, the equivalent of a Colonel in the IDF.