50 years ago today
JERUSALEM. June 6, 1967: "Go and buy up all the bottles of brandy you can find," the editor told the head messenger.
That was the first indication that the war was beginning.
Tension had been building for weeks, but anticipation is one thing, the crack and thud of artillery fire is more concrete.
A lowly proofreader in the bowels of the newspaper office in the centre of Jerusalem lives off rumours and hurriedly set galleys.
The need to query something in the copy lets me escape to the newsroom. Ted Lurie, the editor is out of his office, listening, talking, taking decisions about deployment of his diminished staff.
It's then I hear the immortal words. "Nissim, go out and buy all
the brandy you can find in any shops still open".
This lesson in coolness under fire, thinking ahead and focussing on the essentials served me well subsequently when reporting from war zones.
Always try to think where will be your next food. Brandy or beer might be in the equation too.
Middle East wars, terrorist attacks, natural disasters could all be taken in your stride if you remembered Lurie's Law: Plan ahead, lay in provisions.
Oh yes. and do keep your head down when the bullets are flying and the shells whizzing overhead.
Remember your job is to report the news, not to be the news.
David Lennon
JERUSALEM. June 6, 1967: "Go and buy up all the bottles of brandy you can find," the editor told the head messenger.
That was the first indication that the war was beginning.
Tension had been building for weeks, but anticipation is one thing, the crack and thud of artillery fire is more concrete.
A lowly proofreader in the bowels of the newspaper office in the centre of Jerusalem lives off rumours and hurriedly set galleys.
The need to query something in the copy lets me escape to the newsroom. Ted Lurie, the editor is out of his office, listening, talking, taking decisions about deployment of his diminished staff.
It's then I hear the immortal words. "Nissim, go out and buy all
the brandy you can find in any shops still open".
This lesson in coolness under fire, thinking ahead and focussing on the essentials served me well subsequently when reporting from war zones.
Always try to think where will be your next food. Brandy or beer might be in the equation too.
Middle East wars, terrorist attacks, natural disasters could all be taken in your stride if you remembered Lurie's Law: Plan ahead, lay in provisions.
Oh yes. and do keep your head down when the bullets are flying and the shells whizzing overhead.
Remember your job is to report the news, not to be the news.
David Lennon
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