Letter sent by IDF Chief of General Staff Yigael Yadin to Moshe Dayan on the day of Yadin's retirement from the IDF. Typewritten on official stationery bearing the IDF emblem, and signed by Yadin. December 1952. Hebrew. On December 7, 1952, the Israeli army's second Chief of General Staff, Yigael Yadin – who served as de facto chief of staff during Israel's War of Independence – retired from his post. Upon his retirement, he sent the present letter to Moshe Dayan. It reads as follows: " Dear Moshe, allow me to write you a few words as I conclude my tour of duty – you are in no small measure ‘guilty' for the fact this [duty] fell on my shoulders […] even though we did not always agree with one another, I always recognized the special qualities that distinguish you: initiative, courage, independent thinking, a sense of humor, leadership skills, and a wonderful understanding of both operational and political issues. I am certain your contribution to the future of the army will be of paramount importance ." Yigael Yadin (1917-1984), second Chief of General Staff of the IDF, serving in the position for a period of three years, and one of the most instrumental individuals responsible for molding the character of the regular standing army, still in its formative years at the time. Yadin retired from his post in December of 1952 in the wake of serious differences of opinion that arose between him and David Ben-Gurion, who was then serving as both prime minister and defense minister. Shortly after his resignation, Moshe Dayan (1915-1981) was appointed Chief of Operations Branch of the IDF, and subsequently, within a year, he was promoted once again to become the IDF's fourth Chief of Staff. [1] f., approx. 26 cm. Good condition. Fold lines. Few stains. Provenance: Estate of Ruth Dayan.