One of the great things about the Great War lectures that the Herts At War group organise is that they cover many aspects and the many theatres of war. Though by far the greatest carnage was on the Western Front, that's were Field Marshal Haig and others thought the war would be won or lost, not in any of the 'side shows,' like this one in Palestine.
The British and Empire troops ( Australians & Indians in the main) scored a great victory over 'Jonny Turk' as he was disparagingly referred to. The Turks were infact tenacious fighters and no push over.
General Allenby (Commander in Chief Egyptian Expeditionary Force) was in Jerusalem by the end of 1917 but got no further as plans for early 1918 were put on hold once the Germans put in train their huge offensive of March 1918. Reinforcements were brought in from everywhere and Allenby lost some of his best troops to the Western front to be replaced by untrained Indian troops so everything was put back whilst these troops were brought up to battle readiness.
It wasn't until 19th September 1918 that the EEF was ready. The battle was started by a Handley Page 400 bomber obliterating the Turkish commanders communications, quite a feat by one bomber at night!
After a short sharp artillery bombardment the allies moved. Massed cavalry outflanked the Turks to stop them getting away. Unlike the Western Front cavalry were regularly used mounted as this arm was supposed to be used. Arab irregulars commanded by TE Lawrence of Arabia attacked from the north. The Turks were cut to pieces. By the end of October Palestine was liberated, from the Turks anyway.
Our lecturer this evening was Saul David, he's been on TV as well in very interesting documentaries mostly on World War One topics. He was a very good speaker and kept us all interested. The lecture was on the hundredth anniversary of the battle
.
The British and Empire troops ( Australians & Indians in the main) scored a great victory over 'Jonny Turk' as he was disparagingly referred to. The Turks were infact tenacious fighters and no push over.
General Allenby (Commander in Chief Egyptian Expeditionary Force) was in Jerusalem by the end of 1917 but got no further as plans for early 1918 were put on hold once the Germans put in train their huge offensive of March 1918. Reinforcements were brought in from everywhere and Allenby lost some of his best troops to the Western front to be replaced by untrained Indian troops so everything was put back whilst these troops were brought up to battle readiness.
It wasn't until 19th September 1918 that the EEF was ready. The battle was started by a Handley Page 400 bomber obliterating the Turkish commanders communications, quite a feat by one bomber at night!
After a short sharp artillery bombardment the allies moved. Massed cavalry outflanked the Turks to stop them getting away. Unlike the Western Front cavalry were regularly used mounted as this arm was supposed to be used. Arab irregulars commanded by TE Lawrence of Arabia attacked from the north. The Turks were cut to pieces. By the end of October Palestine was liberated, from the Turks anyway.
Our lecturer this evening was Saul David, he's been on TV as well in very interesting documentaries mostly on World War One topics. He was a very good speaker and kept us all interested. The lecture was on the hundredth anniversary of the battle
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| General Allenby |
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| Allied cavalry |
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| Our lecturer on the right. |
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