The plot where 120 unknowns are buried: how a fallen soldier was identified after 78 years
120 out of 136 graves in the plot for illegal immigrants from Cyprus remain unknown, including the grave of Shlomo Haimson, who was shot in a detention camp in 1948. A complex cross-referencing of map fragments led to solving the mystery, providing closure for his daughter, who was only four days old when he was killed.
After nearly 78 years, following an intensive investigation by the Missing Persons Branch of the Casualty Division, the Military Rabbinate, and the Ministry of Defense, the IDF announced on Wednesday the discovery of the burial site of Shlomo Haimson (may his memory be a blessing). He was killed by guards at the Karaolos detention camp in Cyprus during an escape attempt on the night of September 29–30, 1948. For over four years, investigators worked to solve the case, gathering archival materials from around the world. The breakthrough was achieved through a "golden sequence" of evidence, finally allowing the team to inform Shlomo’s daughter, who was only four days old when he died.
"Because he was killed in Cyprus, Haimson was not on the lists at all," said Colonel Y., head of the investigation team for locating fallen soldiers whose burial sites are unknown, who coordinates the findings and presents them to families. Major (res.) Y., who led the investigation and located the grave, explained that he took on the case by chance while researching cemeteries for his doctoral thesis. "I learned that an entire cemetery had been brought from Cyprus to Israel and was located in Haifa. I contacted the 'Cyprus Illegal Immigrants' association, which maintains the plot, and they told me that 120 out of their 136 graves were unknown."
The investigation was like solving a complex puzzle. Investigators had to connect map fragments photographed at different resolutions and angles, while cross-referencing records kept by various rabbis on Cyprus who did not follow a standardized system. "The map we received from Margo arrived in five disconnected parts. It was like a treasure map from a movie; we had to find 'anchors' in the cemetery to confirm we were on the right path," Major (res.) Y. shared.
The second breakthrough occurred when the team deciphered the order in which the rabbis had recorded the rows of graves. "We found the 'golden sequence' connecting the burial sites. In a list of seven names written by one of the rabbis, we realized that Haimson was the seventh in the row," he recalled.
"We don't forget anyone"
Following the discovery, the Ministry of Defense and the IDF attaché in Brazil met with the family. "You see the sparks in their eyes and the immense emotion. They realize they have a hero father," Colonel Y. said.
Shlomo Haimson’s daughter, Miriam, was only four days old when he was killed. "She has received the grave of a father she never knew," Major (res.) Y. said with emotion. "Investigations take years and stay with you every moment of the day, but every 'bingo' moment provides a huge drive for the future. My reward is the look in the families' eyes when you bring them the grave. We haven't forgotten anyone, and we hope to solve every mystery."
