Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/07/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]OK here's another of how the media rat pack act sometimes with out thought of the danger. The Photo OP Israel, 1967 -- On the opening day of conflict the media nearly became their own story during a "War Zone" bus tour. On a road in southern Israel the press bus became stuck in the sand and everyone got off to push, those who could not participate wandered off the road looking for souvenirs. Suddenly an Israeli officer yelled at them to get back on the road as there were land mines out there! Now try to imagine a dozen journalists attempting to step as lightly as though they were walking on eggs. Photographers on the other hand realizing the photo potential were camera's at the ready waiting for the inevitable "boom!" Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, it didn't happen. As everyone returned safely, one photographer smilingly re-marked, "Damn there goes a Pulitzer!" Later we drove deeper into the Sinai passing an Israeli tank on our side of the road and when we were about fifty yards ahead of it, it blew-up with a window shattering roar and that of every ones nerves . The real unnerving thing; we had just driven over the same stretch of mined road! During that same day, we arrived in a small kibbutz which earlier had been under shell fire from Egyptian forces. The villagers were frantic at our arrival as they feared all the dust and people moving about would attract more shelling. They were assured by the military group leader this would not happen. He then proceeded to hold a press briefing on high ground where we could observe Israeli artillery fire landing on the Egyptians. Explaining with some satisfaction the officer said, "Those are our shells exploding on the enemy." A few moments later there was a completely different sound and a reporter yelled out, " Yeah and that's the Egyptian's sending them back!" Nothing like returning fire! Everyone dived for cover. Then back on the bus and out of there!