55 years since the disappearance of the submarine “Dakar”, the IDF archives at the Ministry of Defense published today (Sunday) the The specials diarywhich describes the search efforts for the submarine, the coordination between the many forces in the field, the scans after every find despite the stormy weather, the hope that it was only a communication failure and the sad realization that the chances of saving the 69 crew members were zero and the search had to be stopped.
AGM diary of operations 28.1.68:
“About three hours ago, a message was sent to the submarine (Dakar) by Yam-3 – if she hears them, she will take out the second buoy. At 20:10 a message was received from the merchant ship “Jaffa” that it was receiving a weak and unclear transmission 43.40 direction unknown…. Yam-3 tries in its stations to pick up the broadcast and find out the direction. They speculate that the broadcast is a response to his broadcast 3 hours ago.”
“The assumption is that Dakar is between you (Achi Meshgav) and ‘Jaffa’. She hears and cannot answer.”
AGM diary of operations 29.1.68:
“Unit 515 reported that whistles are heard on the distress frequency of the submarine, the direction is not clear.”
“The Lebanese informed the search headquarters in Cyprus that they will also assist in the search for “Dakar”.
Special General Meeting 30.1.68:
“There is no permission for AHI ‘Jaffa’ to approach the objects floating in the sea about 65 miles from Port Said. Ahi Jaffa must be moved to another patrol sector that is not close to the coast of Egypt. The Navy may sail a merchant ship tomorrow, January 31, 1968 during the day to the area of floating objects within 65 miles of Port Said. And in any case not less than 50 miles from the coast of Egypt.”
“We all agreed (the search headquarters in Cyprus) unanimously that the last time to rescue survivors from the submarine is tonight.”
AGM diary of operations 2.2.68:
“Starting at noon on February 1st, answers to our inquiries are heard as if from the “Dakar” under the name “Diskit”. Directions point to N Turkey and M Cyprus. The subject under review are 3 of our cruise ships that tour the area. It is possible that this is a deliberate interference.”
AGM diary of operations 4.2.68:
“The Navy is in the process of stopping the search, the Air Force will also stop its search at around 14:00. All the boats participating in the search will arrive back in Haifa this evening.”
Also, the IDF Archives at the Ministry of Defense published the initial report written on the “Dakar” Missiles on 1/28/68, 4 days after the last secure communication in which the submarine provided an accurate definition of its location, as well as the letter of the Chief Rabbi to the IDF at the time, General Shlomo Goren to the Minister of Defense regarding the release of the Dakar moorings.