Sadeh was born in Russian occupied Poland in 1890 and fought in WWI, receiving a Russian medal of honor for his bravery. Sadeh alongside Joseph Trumpeldor founded the Halutz movement in Russia, a movement advocating for the settlement of the Land of Israel.
After joining the Haganah shortly after immigrating to Mandatory Palestine in 1920, Sadeh was soon appointed commander of the Jerusalem Division and was also a leading figure in the defense of Haifa during the Arab Riots in 1929.
Sadeh, nicknamed “HaZaken” (The Old Man), was one of the founders of the Palmach, and served as its first commander until 1945 when he was named Chief of the General Staff of the Haganah. During the War of Independence, Sadeh founded the first armored brigade in the IDF that was instrumental in winning the war.
