STEVE

Even fellow kibbutz members
working in the fields and orchards
/---) overhead were unaware of their
activities.
The bullet-makers lived a dou-
ble life, departing from their quar-
ters in the kibbutz every morning,
ostensibly to work in agriculture
or on some mission in Rehovot. Ar-
riving at the laundry room from
all directions, 45 per shift, they
would crowd inside and then,
within an interval of 60 seconds,
/- climb quickly down the ladder into
the factory. At nightfall, the pro-
cedure would be reversed, but not
before a duty officer had careful-
ly checked the bottoms of the
workers' shoes, to make sure that
no telltale copper chips were cling-
ing to the soles.

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•

Trained guides
recount saga.

All in all, the Ayalon Institute,
as the project was code named,
manufactured approximately 2.5
million bullets, the only product
not in short supply during the long
period of conflict. The contribution
of the bullets was basic to the war
effort, especially in its first stages,
until the arrival, in the last stages,
of additional material from
abroad, particularly from Czecho-
slovakia, eased the pressure on
the underground workers.
With peace, the task of the bul-
let-makers was finally attended.
They were free at last to imple-
ment their dream of establishing
their own kibbutz by the sea. For
years afterward, the fields of Ay-
alon and the factory below were
used as a secret venue for nuclear
research — and then were aban-
doned and neglected.
Only recently, as Israel's lead-
ers came to realize its historic sig-
nificance, has the Ayalon complex
been renovated as a national
shrine and museum, from which
thousands of young Israelis can
/—'
be inspired by awareness of this
relatively-unknown chapter in
their country's history.
Travelers from abroad who
make the 30-minute drive from
Tel Aviv to experience the under-
ground museum may also find in-
spiration, and they may better
understand that there is a na-
tional character molded by the
courage and the imagination of
just such achievements as Ayalon.
For the convenience of visitors,
various facilities have been erect-
ed at Ayalon: a parking lot, seat-
ing areas among the trees which
surround the buildings, drinking
fountains and bathrooms. The
museum complex is open Sun.-
Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Mon.,
8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m.-
`-=C noon; Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
There is a modest admission
charge. The address is Kiryat
HaMada, Rehovot 76326; the tele-
phone, (08) 406-552. ❑

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