User:RoslynSKP/Allenby's preparations for maneuver warfare

Allenby's preparations for maneuver warfare began on his arrival in Egypt at the end of June 1917 during the Stalemate in Southern Palestine, which followed two unsuccessful attacks by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) at the first and second against the Ottoman Army forces defending Gaza, during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. On appointment in 1917, General Edmund Allenby's instructions from the War Office were to make a fighting advance of about 50 miles (80 km) and capture Jerusalem before Christmas, to help sustain the morale of the general public which had been suffering particularly from the successful German Empire's submarine blockade. Operations in Palestine early in 1918 were a low priority while Ludendorff's Spring Offensive in France seriously threatened the British Expeditionary Force from March. However by September 1918, Allenby was keen to encourage his "new Indian troops" and his "Arab Allies", by overrunning the Ottoman armies' front line in the Judean Hills, capturing the Seventh and Eighth Armies headquarters at Nablus and Tulkarm, the Jisr ed Damieh crossing of the Jordan River, and Es Salt.

"Allenby turned the Turks out of their defensive positions [the Gaza to Beersheba line] and went on to capture Jerusalem. Later, at Megiddo in September 1918, he fought the only successful allied campaign of manoeuvre in the entire Great War."

1917

After the two failed battles for Gaza in March and April 1917, it seemed a "new approach was needed" by the "psychologically fragile" EEF. This change began with a new commander who reorganized and reinforced the EEF, before taking the offensive against the Ottoman held Gaza to Beersheba line, in October 1917.

Allenby

Known as 'The Bull,' General Edmund Allenby was a "highly competent professional soldier," who showed a close personal interest in the men of his command. This became apparent during his frequent visits and regular inspections of EEF units. Morale changed from a feeling of being forgotten and neglected, to certainty that victory was possible, as Allenby inspired confidence. While he made detailed and careful preparations for battle, during battle he has been described as "overconfident and a risk–taker." He was also known to have a violent temper. Men who had met him were asked, “What's this new bloke like?” The reply was often, “He's the sort of bloke that when he tells you to do a thing you know you'd better get up and do it. He's the boss, this cove.” Yet he was a gentle man who, when he lost his son on the Western front shortly after arriving in Egypt, wrote a compassionate and sympathetic letter to his wife.

Chetwode's appreciation

Covered drinking water reservoir at Esani in the Wadi Ghuzzee, constructed by Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Engineers

On arrival in Egypt, Allenby was handed Chetwode's appreciation, describing the EEF and Ottoman Army's positions. He covered the strong nature of the Ottoman defences, augmented by lack of water which prevented the EEF getting within striking distance, without "elaborate preparations." He indicated the Ottoman determination to hold their line of defences, that an attack by the EEF force without reinforcements but with slightly more artillery, would not succeed. Chetwode also described the threat of an Ottoman Army attack, which could push the EEF back to Rafa. Chetwode advised seven infantry divisions, "at full strength" and three mounted divisions, would be required before there was any chance of a successful attack. But as a result of the huge losses suffered during the first two battles for Gaza, the continuing "poor rifle strength" of the 52nd (Lowland), the 53rd (Welsh) and the 54th (East Anglian) Divisions, could see them "disappear in three weeks' fighting" without drafts of compulsory recruitment to return them to strength.

Chetwode described the fortifications along the lines extending roughly along the Gaza to Beersheba road from Gaza for 30 miles (48 km), which was held by about 50 widely dispersed Ottoman battalions, with good lateral communications. The Ottoman defences began in the sand hills on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, to Gaza, were "a strong modern fortress, well entrenched and wired, with good observation and a glacis on its southern and south–eastern face," defended the city. This western segment, was dominated by gradually rising ground from the south, from where any EEF approach would be "in full view" of the enemy, making a daylight infantry attack unlikely to succeed. From there, a series of "field works" between 1,500 to 2,000 yards (1,400 to 1,800 m) apart, each mutually supported by artillery, machine guns and rifles stretched to within about 4 miles (6.4 km) from Beersheba, with the main Ottoman base located in the center of this defensive line, between Kirbet Sihan and Hareira. The EEF defences were established between 400 and 2,500 yards (370 and 2,290 m) from the Ottoman fortifications, from the sea to Sheikh Abbas "in a series of strong points," then following the Wadi Ghazzeh to Karm in the center of the line. From that point the two front lines stretching eastwards separated around the desert terrain, leaving a triangle of absolutely flat stony waterless plain, cut by wadis which rose gradually towards Beersheba. Chetwode identified this eastern area of the Ottoman defences, as suitable for an "all arms" attack, but that the only known water in the area not controlled by Ottoman forces, was at Esani on the Wadi Ghazzeh 7 miles (11 km) south east of Karm.

Railway cutting through the northern bank of the Wadi Ghazzeh on the Kantara to Deir el Belah railway line

Chetwode described the flexible Ottoman lines of communication, which could be expanded to support between 60 and 70 battalions on their front line, and saw the capture of the Gaza to Beersheba line itself as of little value, because the Ottoman forces could fall back to already prepared defences, where water would be less of a problem, while shorten their lines of communication. He pointed out that there was no way of easily transporting supplies forward, to support advancing troops, unlike in Mesopotamia where the inland river systems supported a quick advance. Although the Mediterranean Sea was available for transport ships, the coastal open beaches created difficulties of landing supplies, particularly in winter when such operations could be "precarious and unreliable." Further there were no roads from the coast inland which were suitable for mechanical transport, instead the railway offered the best method of quick reliable transportation of supplies.

It has been claimed Chetwode's appreciation also known as Notes on the Palestine Campaign, became the blueprint for the EEF offensive, and was fundamental to its success.

Allenby's first tour of inspection

General Sir Edmund Allenby, Commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force 1917–1919

Allenby familiarised himself by reading books about region, the terrain, and military campaigns fought in Palestine and Syria. Then he inspected the front lines and No Man's Land for himself, protected by armoured cars or mounted patrols. He began his first tour of inspection on 5 July when he left Cairo in his railway coach for the Suez Canal, then crossed the Sinai Peninsula in a special train. Allenby traveled either on horseback, or in "little Ford cars with double tyred wheels ... [in places along] roads made of strips of rabbit wire netting laced together," across very deep sandy areas. He saw Gaza from "a few miles" away, and got to within 8 miles (13 km) of Beersheba, traveling over the lightly grassed, "parched and dry," sandy and dusty land, while the temperature rarely went over 90 °F (32 °C) in the shade. He saw date palms, fig trees, apricot and almond trees growing in oases, and near villages. Beyond the villages and stretching to the desert in the east, the land was cultivated by supporters of Ottoman rule. These Bedouin Arabs plowed the land into a "wide acreage of barley," which had been exported to Scotland before the war.

In the coastal region Allenby saw limestone jutting out from under the big sand dunes, which filtered the sea water to pure water limestone wells "within a few feet of the sea water, and practically at sea level, on the beach." However, water was scarce as most of the Nile water pumped from 150 miles (240 km) away, was needed by the railway, and to water the thousands of horses, mules and camels. Water springs had been developed and wells bored, but the water was often found to be slightly brackish. However, he found "[a]ll the men and animals are looking well and in good condition and spirits," with those in rest camp on the coast, able to "bathe a great deal; and the horses and camels are also bathed, when possible, in the sea."

Allenby inspects the 11th Light Horse Regiment on 7 July 1917

At the forward positions, he made a close reconnaissance of the enemy defences, and discussed the situation with senior commanders. He found the Ottoman army very strongly entrenched and wired, and at the Gaza, he noted that "they are organised in depth," and reported the strong entrenchments stretching 10 miles (16 km) from the Mediterranean coast to Atawineh, which continued another 10 miles (16 km) via Hareira, along the Wadi el Sharia to Tel el Sharia. He found Beersheba entrenched and wired, but lacking in defences in depth. Allenby reported the Ottoman defences were widely dispersed, but with good lateral communications so that any threatened point, could be quickly reinforced. It was estimated five Ottoman divisions and one cavalry division with a strength of 46,000 rifles, 2,800 sabres, 250 machine guns and 200 guns, held the front line with one division in reserve south of Jerusalem. "Gaza has been made into a strong modern fortress ... heavily entrenched and wired, the centre of which is a maze of houses, gardens and cactus hedges," which would be difficult to attack. From Gaza the line consists of a series of "strong localities" between 1,500–2,000 yards (1,400–1,800 m) apart. These are the Sihan group of works, the Atawineh group, the Baha group, the Hereira trench system, and the works at Beersheba, with the area between Hereira and Irgeig probably the weakest point, as the high ground between Irgeig and Beersheba dominates the main Ottoman defences. The Ottoman 26th and 46th Divisions have been reported to be on their way to Palestine.

In his report, Allenby assessed the possibilities for offensive operations:

I think from what I have so far seen, that the Turks expect us to renew our attacks on Gaza. They probably think that we shall cling to the coast line. If we make our attack there, it will probably be costly; and, when we have broken through, we shall not have gained a flank or acquired more freedom for manoeuvre. To make the best use of our mounted troops and our mobility, it will most likely be profitable to strike further east, between Atawineh and Beer Sheba. An advance to the Wadi Imleh, and an attack by three Divisions against Hareira and the Sharia position, might enable the mounted troops to strike N. to Tel el Nejileh – thus turning the Gaza defences, and isolating the Beer Sheba position.

— Allenby to Robertson 11 July 1917

Allenby conducted inspections of units of the EEF. After greeting the commanding officer, Allenby made a quick, critical inspection of the unit, and immediately passed on his evaluation to the commander. He continued this process on the way back, along the lines of communication to the main base at Moascar. Allenby appeared to the commanding officer of the Remounts unit at Moascar, to be "a great lonely figure of a man, riding silently in front of an obviously terrified staff. He seemed quite glad to recognize a friend in me. For a Remount officer is like a Field-Marshal, he has no hope of promotion and no friends whatever in the army. After chatting about the old South African days, he said: 'I am afraid I am becoming very hard to get on with. I want to get this war over and if anything goes wrong I lose my temper and cut loose on them. I haven't got down to finding fault with the Remount service yet ...". Being "essentially a war of movement" employing technology and modes of transport not too different from the Napoleonic wars, the Palestine campaign was conducted against a visible personal enemy, the "Johnny Turk." Just as Wellington's troops needed to know their commander, so the EEF needed to know Allenby. Indeed, "few commanders in either world war were as well known to their troops or paid closer attention to their needs when not in battle." In this first journey to the front, Allenby gained a first-hand personal knowledge of his army, its organisation, and location while his army, the officers and men got to know him, experiencing his drive and determination.

On his return to Cairo, Allenby reported to William Robertson (Chief of the Imperial General Staff) that he was pleased with what he saw of his command and, covered by his mounted divisions, identified the undulating, open country cut by dry watercourses which offered "scope for action by mounted troops" on the eastern flank. He reported the EEF's four infantry divisions, were still understrength, three months after the Second Battle of Gaza. They needed a further 5,150 infantry and 400 Yeomanry reinforcements to bring them up to strength. He noted a further 2,000 men in the partially established 75th Division, which he estimated would not be ready to take the field before December, and that the 60th (London) Division which had arrived from Salonika, was in the process of being equipped. "With seven divisions and three cavalry divisions I should hope to be able to take Gaza and Beersheba, assuming that the enemy's force in front of me is not materially increased. I might also be able to reach Jerusalem ... It is important that I should have the troops I ask for ready for an advance in September, so as to anticipate the October rains ..."

Reorganisation of EEF

Allenby moved the General Headquarters to the north of Rafa from Cairo, to Kelab near Khan Yunis, where the camp was situated between two railway lines, one going to Deir el Belah and the other to Shellal. This EEF railway across the Sinai could supply seven infantry and three mounted divisions, but any advance beyond the Jaffa to Jerusalem line would require a considerable increase in strength.

The War Office decided to reinforce the EEF with the 10th (Irish) Division from Salonika, and three Territorial battalions from India to complete the establishment of the 75th Division. Although Allenby's request for field howitzers could not be supplied, 16 3.7 mountain howitzers were sent instead, the number of 60-pounder guns was increased to 28, while the 6-inch howitzers were increased to 46. The EEF was to be supplied with additional transport and administrative units, along with the materials to double the railway track from Kantara to Rafa across the Sinai peninsula, and to increase the capacity of the water pipe line, both of which were begun at once.

British 18-pounders as used by the division

Allenby would receive 82 to 90 heavy artillery guns and all divisional artillery excepting two batteries. The infantry divisions were equipped with six-gun batteries, although the 53rd (Welsh) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions had eight-gun batteries, and the 52nd (Lowland), 54th (East Anglian) and 75th Divisions had seven-gun batteries. While in mid-September, the artillery of the Anzac and the Australian Mounted Divisions was downgraded from 18–pounders. These guns had been supporting the Anzac Mounted Division from the beginning of the Sinai and Palestine campaign in April 1916, and the Australian Mounted Division since its establishment, as the Imperial Mounted Division. The were replaced by 13-pounders, making the divisions "even more capable," according to Erickson.

HAC 13-pounders March 1918

Allenby indicated to Robertson on 12 July, that he planned to reorganise the soon to be assembled ten EEF divisions, into two infantry and one mounted corps, "all three directly under General Headquarters." This new structure, would reflect contemporary British combat doctrine in the middle of 1917, and resemble the organisation of the British Third Army Allenby had commanded in France, prior to leaving for Palestine. For Allenby to directly command these corps in the field, he created two separate EEF headquarters. While his battle headquarters was established near Khan Yunis, the remainder of his headquarters staff remained in Cairo, "to deal with the political and administrative questions involved in the control of Egypt and the administration of martial law."

On 5 August orders were received by the Desert Column noting its change of name to Desert Mounted Corps, the abolishing Eastern Force, and establishing of the XX and the XXI Corps, with General Headquarters EEF in command. Eastern Force was replaced on 12 August by a conventional corps headquarters, designated the XX Corps commanded by Lieutenant General P. W. Chetwode (formerly commanding Eastern Force). A similar headquarters was established for the XXI Corps which was commanded by Lieutenant General E. S. Bulfin. He had arrived from Salonika as officer commanding the 60th (London) Division, while the headquarters of Desert Column was renamed Desert Mounted Corps commanded by Lieutenant General H. G. Chauvel (previously commanding Desert Column). The three corps commanders were professional soldiers, none of whom had graduated from a military college or a staff college, they had all been commissioned from militia or had been volunteers. Both Chauvel and Bulfin were promoted Lieutenant Generals. Other promotions in August included Chaytor commanding Anzac Mounted Division to Major General and Meldrum commanding the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade to Brigadier General.

The three corps the directly commanded by Allenby were: Desert Mounted Corps consisting of

Anzac Mounted Division

Australian Mounted Division

Yeomanry Mounted Division

Imperial Camel Corps Brigade

XX Corps consisting of

10th (Irish) Division (Regular and New Army troops from Salonika which had served on Gallipoli)

53rd (Welsh) Division (from Eastern Force)

60th (London) Division (from Salonika)

74th (Yeomanry) Division (formed from dismounted yeomanry in Egypt)

Four brigades of heavy artillery

and XXI Corps consisting of

52nd (Lowland) Division (from Eastern Force)

54th (East Anglian) Division (from Eastern Force)

75th Division (formed in Egypt from Indian territorial battalions not complete until October)

Three brigades of heavy artillery The 75th Division was constituted on 21 June from units sent from abroad or already in Egypt. The 232nd Brigade consisted of the 1/5th Devon, 2/5th Hampshire, 2/3rd Gurkhas, the 233rd Brigade consisted of the 1/5th Somerset L. I., 2/4th Hampshire, 3/3rd Gurkhas, while the 234th Brigade consisted of the 2/L. North Lanchashire, 1/4th D. C. L. I., 123rd Outram's Rifles battalions.

General Bailloud inspecting an infantry automatic rifle section of the Detachment Francois de Palestine et Syrie at Khan Yunis on 11 September 1917

A "Composite Force" was formed in the first week of September, consisting of 3,000 rifles and six squadrons of the Imperial Service Indian troops, the 1st Battalion British West Indies Regiment and the French and Italian detachments. These units had no artillery or second line transport.

Reorganisation of aerial units

Memorial erected by German airmen at Sheria, in memory of British and Australian airmen, killed in their lines during 1917

During 1916, aerial reconnaissance patrols had most often been unaccompanied as there had been little if any aerial disputes, between the belligerents. However, just as the ground war on the Gaza to Beersheba line came to resemble trench warfare on the Western Front, so too did the air war over southern Palestine come to resemble that being fought over France. After the Second Battle of Gaza in April 1917 and during the Stalemate in Southern Palestine which followed, the concentration of EEF and Ottoman forces holding established front lines grew, as associated supply dumps and lines of communications were developed. The need to know about these fuelled "intense rivalry in the air." Aerial reconnaissance patrols were regularly attacked, so it was necessary for all photography and artillery observation patrols to be accompanied by escort aircraft. These special EEF patrols which grew into squadrons, accompanied and protected the reconnaissance aircraft, attacking hostile aircraft wherever they were found, either in the air, or on the ground. However during this period the technically superior German aircraft shot down numbers of EEF aircraft during Dog fights.

Before being incorporated into the 40th (Army) Wing of the Palestine Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), on 5 October, orders were received in April 1917 for No. 1 Squadron to become exclusively Australian. All British Flying officers, which had been attached to No. 1 Squadron, were transferred out in June and July to British units. Between June and October, No. 1 Squadron also lost many experienced pilots and mechanics, who were sent England to train and command three new Australian squadrons, being established for service in France. Experienced pilots were also deployed to set up and train pilots in the new flying school in Egypt and at a training school in Australia.

Before the Palestine Brigade was set up towards the end of 1917 and during the summer of 1918, the only flying units in the region were No. 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC) and No. 14 Squadron RFC, for most of the stalemate period from April to the end of October 1917. Until then, No. 1 Squadron had been performing all strategic reconnaissances, some of the tactical reconnaissances, and much of the photography for map making. Strategic patrols over distant areas were regularly made to keep a record of Ottoman railway activity, the state of their supplies and size of reserve camps, as well as all troop movements behind their lines. High flying scouts of the army wing, sometimes flew more than a hundred air miles a day, to complete this work. Tactical patrols over the forward-area required detailed studies of trench works, gun positions, strength of wire and etc. While tactical reconnaissance became the duty of the corps air squadron, No. 14 Squadron was mainly involved in artillery observation.

However, as the expansion of the EEF air force began with the arrival of the No. 111 Squadron RFC at Deir el Belah, followed shortly afterwards by No. 113 Squadron RFC, freeing No. 1 Squadron to take on the role of bomber squadron. One flying squadron was attached to each of the infantry corps for local reconnaissance and other duties, while a squadron of upgraded fighting scouts aircraft, reinforced the Army Wing to compete against the technically superior German aircraft. New Bristol Fighter aircraft were arriving in ones and twos for No. 111 Squadron and No. 113 Squadron which was deployed for corps operations and some trench reconnaissances, and new pilots and observers from the training school, were reporting to No. 1 Squadron. In August, No. 1 Squadron was authorised by Australian Imperial Force (AIF) headquarters to hold a reserve of 50 per cent of flying officers above establishment. The full value of this decision would not become clear until the air war of 1918.

By mid-September, No. 1 Squadron, which had already gone forward to Deir el Belah was preparing to advance to a new forward aerodrome at Weli Sheikh Nuran where they were joined on 28 September by No. 113 Squadron. By then No. 1 Squadron was in the process of reconnoitering a forward landing ground near the light horse north of Esani, while No. 111 Squadron's Bristol Fighters, were based at Deir el Belah. On 17 October No. 1 Squadron received the first of the new R.E.8 aircraft from Kantara, with the remainder following. They were ordered to prepare for bombing operations, while new Martinsyde aircraft fitted with 160-h.p. engines, arrived to replace the older type powered by 120-h.p. Beardmore engines.

Lines of communication

The Palestine lines of communication were established at this time, extending those which crossed the Sinai peninsula. Allenby redeployed two garrison battalions from Kantara and the Senussi Campaign on the Western Frontier of Egypt, to establish these new lines. "They tell me [Allenby] that the personnel of the garrison battalions can't march, or do hard work in this country; but I think they ought to be able to hold a trench all right, and set free other troops.

The single track military railway could support five infantry and two mounted divisions, by carrying 13 trains a day from Kantara to Deir el Belah. However six of these were hospital or railway construction trains leaving only seven for supplies, and troops. This was insufficient for an expanded force of six infantry and three mounted divisions, so capacity was increased by enlarging sidings and transferring additional rolling stock from the Egyptian State Railways. By the end of September the double railway track had been built as far as Deir el Belah.

The heaviest trains seemed to run at night, and the returning empty trains were hurried forward at a speed suggesting the urgency of clearing the line for a fully loaded train awaiting at Rafa the signal to proceed with its valuable load to railhead. Perfect control not only on the railway system but in the forward supply yards prevented congestion, and when a train arrived at its destination and was split up into several parts, well-drilled gangs of troops and Egyptian labourers were allotted to each truck, and whether a lorry or a tractor had to be unshipped and moved down a ramp, or a truck had to be relieved of its ten tons of tibbin, boxes of biscuit and bully, or of engineers' stores, the goods were cleared away from the vicinity of the line.

— W. T. Massey War Correspondent

Allenby ordered the extensions of the railway to shorten work of supply wagon trains. During September and October two branch railway lines was laid; one from Deir el Belah to Shellal, and the second across the Wadi Ghazzeh on a trestle bridge towards Karm. The line north east of Karm was to be completed three days before the attack. while the Decauville line from Gamli was not to be begun until six days before the attack. This line was to be completed to Karm by the day before the attack, with the three miles (4.8 km) extension beyond Karm towards Beersheba to be begin the next morning.

Coastal shipping delivered about 26,000 tons a month to designated places on the Mediterranean coast. In the case of the XXI Corps which held the coastal sector and Gaza, all supplies were shipped from Port Said to Deir el Belah during September. Here the supplies were landed in surf boats, from the small coastal steam ships of between 1,000 to 1,500 tons anchored about 150 yards (140 m) from shore. The supplies were transported to the shore in small boats, carried up the beach, and put in trucks for transportation, to the large dumps of ammunition at Rafa, and railway material and supplies at Shellal. Behind the front line all reserves, supply-dumps, and all arms auxiliary to the infantry moved forward with the advancing railhead.

The tracks were marked and works undertaken to improve them but as the whole of the area towards Beersheba was sandy and the tracks already "cut up badly" by heavy traffic the transport of ammunition and supplies would be difficult.

Training

The training during the stalemate of 1917, both before and after Allenby arrived, has rarely been described, apart from his continuously high visibility among his troops, on regular and rigorous inspections. These regular visits close to the front, and conferences, facilitated constructive dialogue with his subordinate commanders. GHQ EEF in Cairo had been "at a standstill" before Allenby arrived, with 90 or more Generals "out of a job ... in Shepheard's Hotel where they either just existed beautifully or they made themselves busy about such jobs as reporting upon the waste of jam tins. Others became town commandants, or examiners of an army diet." After his arrival these generals were tested by Allenby, during expeditions and raids, to find men he could rely on.

12th Light Horse Regiment Syllabus of Training for week ending 4 August 1917

The EEF came to reflect contemporary tactical doctrines which had been adopted by the armies in France. This was achieved through reorganisation, re–equipment, and retraining. The organisational mobility of the EEF was developed, weapons were matched with the fighting units, and skill sets were developed. Continuous and ongoing training was conducted throughout the stalemate at Moascar base camp on the Suez Canal, and in the forward areas. No. 1 Training Area, Isolation Camp, Moascar reported on 28 June 1917, that reinforcements were "very backward in musketry instruction and drill, and a comparatively large percentage of the men were bad horsemen." On 4 July 1917, the 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar, reported an average of 400 men in the camp during the previous six months, when 16 officers and 1,290 other ranks had undergone training. Training was also routinely undertaken by mounted divisions while deployed at Abasan el Kebir. Syllabi of training covering all aspects of musketry, rapid fire and tactical schemes, Hotchkiss Rifle training, bombing, anti-gas methods, the handling and sending of messages by carrier pigeons, and tactical exercises with aircraft taking an active part, were conducted from May to September. The time taken to turn out in "marching order" was to cut to the barest minimum, by regular practice by all units in the two corps, which would be required to conduct a battle of manoeuvre against Beersheba in October. Competitions between units added incentive.

Pre-battle training in task–organised and cross–attachment of forces, would be demonstrated during the Third Battle of Gaza, when an infantry brigade, all the 52nd (Lowland) Division's artillery, their field company of engineers, an ambulance company, a machine–gun company, and an observation battery, were attached to the 54th (East Anglian) Division. While during the last six weeks of preparations,

[s]ome divisions which had allotted to them the hardest part of the attack on Beersheba were drawn out of the line, and forming up in big camps between Belah and Shellal set about a course of training such as athletes undergo. They had long marches in the sand carrying packs and equipment. They were put on a short allowance of water, except for washing purposes. They dug, they had bombing practice, and with all this extra exercise while the days were still very hot they needed no encouragement to continue their games. Football was their favourite sport, and the British Tommy is such a remarkable fellow that it was usual to see him trudge home to camp looking 'fed up' with exercise, and then, after throwing off his pack and tunic, run out to kick a ball ... He got thoroughly fit for marches over sand, over stony ground, over shifting shingle. During the period of concentration he had to cross a district desperately bad for marching, and it is more than probable the enemy never believed him capable of such endurance.

— British War Correspondent

Gas demonstrations

Instruction in the use of an early pattern gas mask issued to the troops in Palestine in 1917

The EEF field howitzers had fired some of 4,000 rounds of 4.5-inch gas shells, at Ottoman battery positions in a woodland area southwest of Ali Muntar, without any noticeable effect during the second Gaza battle. However, training in the use of the gas masks issued to EEF troops, took place early in May 1917, when some of the remaining gas shells provided realistic experiences. One such gas demonstration was carried out on 8 May, when 150 men of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade with their "helmets" on, were attacked with gas shells and gas clouds. The next day Notts battery experienced a gas demonstration, followed on 10 May by the remainder of the brigade including officers. On this occasion both British and German lachrymatory gases were used, so they could identify the difference in smell and effect. Subsequently a second gas helmet was issued to all ranks. Among these was the commander Brigadier General Royston. "He was one of those men who would try anything once. He was warned against it, but no, he must have just one sniff of it ... The result was that I found him in a hospital, a badly shaken man, passing green urine, and ordered away for long leave."

Hamilton, the Sergeant-in-charge of the Bearers with the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance was at Abasan el Kebir on 8 May for a "gas lecture and demonstration" when he went through "dinkum gas, with a gas helmet on." Subsequently he gave gas drill instructions to the whole Mobile Section of the ambulance. "The general feeling among the men is that they are against our using gas ... [as] [i]t appears that our gas drill is basically to protect ourselves from our own gas being blown back on us by the wind, or in the event of us capturing Turkish trenches already drenched in gas!" On 11 June, the 4th Light Horse Brigade's Gas Officer gave a gas demonstration to regiments of the brigade.

Rifles, machine guns and ammunition

From 30 May, while at Abasan el Kebir the Anzac Mounted Division commenced rearmament with Mark VII rifles replacing the Mark VI. The Mark VI Small Arms Ammunition (SAA) manufactured in New Zealand, had caused very few stoppages in machine guns and Hotchkiss guns, in comparison with SAA made in England, America or India. However, the new Mark VII ammunition had "a flatter trajectory and a greater muzzle velocity," of 2,400 feet per second, while the old ammunition had been just over 2,000 feet per second. The day after rearmament commenced, approval was given for the Anzac Mounted Division to construct a rifle range. Training was conducted in Hotchkiss guns, one of which had been allocated to every troop, along with musketry, and bombing, while "combined arms tactics, [were] evolving fire and manoeuvre tactics based on the Lewis light machine gun."

Artillery

The artillery arm, adopted two complementary systems of fire, which had been developed in France. This involved lighter divisional guns and howitzers, concentrating on directly supporting the infantry, while the heavier corps and army guns, and howitzers, organised into the Heavy Artillery Groups within the two infantry corps, were to target hostile batteries in "counter–battery work." Following the creation of the Heavy Artillery Group staffs, training was carried out during practices and exercises in range finding, and pre–battle training.

Infantry

Infantry approaches from near Karm towards Beersheba

Palestine was for the 60th (London) Division, their third theater of operations in 12 months. They had fought in the trenches of France, in the Balkans and at Salonika, before arriving in July to begin extensive training in open warfare. This consisted in part, in frequent long marches and exercises in waterless territory, during which the soldiers were limited to two water bottles. Combat training was conducted in the Wadi Ghazzeh on 1 October, when Private F.V. Blunt, Civil Service Rifles, 179th Brigade, 60th Division, participated in "another attacking stunt early this morning. Only got in the way of another brigade on manoeuvres. Battalion marched back to our base camp at El Sharath in the full heat of the day. Nearly killed me ... 'Oh this war is a bugger.'"

The infantry training in open warfare, was similar to that undertaken by infantry, before the trench warfare of the Western Front. They trained to advance steadily in waves through artillery fire, until stopped by machine gun and rifle fire, when a firing line would be built up. The final assault which followed had several stages. The first wave of assaulting parties attacked "the enemy with Rifle, Lewis Gun, & Machine gun fire" to within 500 yards (460 m) of the enemy position. Then artillery would produce a smoke cloud and 10 minutes later a heavy artillery bombardment lasting 10 minutes. Then "under cover of the heavy artillery and machine gun fire," the attack took place. Subsequently, the attacking units would reorganise and consolidate their captured positions.

Up and off defending the Waddi. The Scottish attack. Would not half have caught it. One Scot comes staggering up the incline just in front of Captain Flower. 'Up Fucking hill and down bloody dales,' he groans. 'Very aptly put' says Flower. By the by 'Retire' is a forbidden word in the 60th Division now. What does that signify; a 'death and glory' division. NCOs Officers and men will be 'run' if using the word.

Infantrymen sharpened their bayonets, and cut their hair short into the "Beersheba" haircuts. "All off. Look a murderous villain now." They assembled their kit which included an extra water bottle, a mess tin, rations for the day, and emergency rations of bully beef and biscuits. They carried a rifle and 130 rounds of ammunition, a gas mask, a telescopic sight in its case, a bivouac sheet, a pole, three pegs and two sandbags. The sheet was made from waterproof cloth about 5.5 feet (1.7 m) square with buttons and buttonholes, so two sheets could be joined to make a shelter for two men. Extra clothing including a tunic, shirt, cap comforter, cardigan, and two pairs of socks, were in a holdall, while private belongings were stored in the gas mask satchel.

The continual training and fatigues in preparation for the offensive led to a 19 year old corporal in the Royal Field Artillery complaining on 11 October. "Harness cleaning every day, and the harness is getting worse instead of better, the men have to do transport and fatigues, and are expected to clean harness too, its impossible to get it cleaned ... I'm absolutely fed up, being kicked about from pillar to post; out on transport all day and on duty at night, ... the least thing and we are put under arrest." James C. Jones, 1/2nd Lowland Brigade, RFA, 52nd (Lowland) Division, "seriously considered taking a drop in rank to private to escape the pressure." And a private in the 60th (London) Division explained it was not the "hardships and fighting," but the "silly kidish mucking about" by the "purile minded incompetents that pass for Officers (Quite good chaps really) and the nagging of the NCOs who treat the men as if they were kids in a kindergarten school."

Mounted units

While each mounted division took its turn to hold the front line, training and patrolling continued during the repeated night rides out towards Beersheba, at the extreme end of the Ottoman front. After establishing a line at dawn, the troopers conducted exercises during the day to familiarized themselves with the ground over which they were to attack, before returning to base 36 hours later, "hollow–eyed with exhaustion, filthy, and thirsty after a round trip of between 60 to 70 miles (97 to 113 km)." On 20 August, the Westminster Dragoons were attached to Desert Mounted Corps to learn the country, before joining the XX Corps Cavalry. While the Australian Mounted Division was at Abasan el Kebir, during the first half of September, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade carried out a tactical scheme. The brigade advanced to a certain point, then made a dismounted attack, while led horses were taken to the rear. Good touch was gained and kept between attacking regiments, and the advantages of short sharp rushes, was clearly demonstrated. The 4th and 11th Light Horse Regiments (4th Light Horse Brigade) carried out Hotchkiss gun practice on 13 June, while the first week of the Syllabus of Training issued on 20 June by the brigade, concentrated on all aspects of musketry. Musketry training was carried out by the 12th Light Horse Regiment at Abasan el Kebir on 20 August.

On 21 August Chauvel made a surprise inspection of the Australian Mounted Division, when the 4th Light Horse Brigade was ordered at 05:00 to turn out at once in full marching order. With a strength of 14 officers, 408 other ranks and 550 animals, the 12th Light Horse Regiment moved off at 06:00 to parade south of the railway line with the Australian Mounted Division at 06:15. Accompanying Chauvel, the new commanding officer of the 4th Light Horse Brigade Brigadier General William Grant, also inspected his brigade before units returned to camp at 09:00. On 22 August, the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance was inspected by its commander and on 23 August marched out at 14:00 to arrive at Tel el Fara three hours later. On 29 August the 12th Light Horse Regiment paraded at 09:00, when training was conducted in field manoeuvres and formations, for a dismounted attack on a position. The regiment returned to bivouac at 13:00 to water the horses and rest, apart from Stables duties. The strength of the 12th Light Horse Regiment at the end of the month had increased to 27 officers 503 other ranks and 597 animals. A staff ride and tactical night exercise were carried out on 4 and 5 September by the brigade, while a further tactical scheme was carried out by 11th Light Horse Regiment, the next day. On 6 September, the commander of the Australian Mounted Division, inspected the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Two days later, on 8 September orders were received at 04:45 for a surprise practice, the whole of the brigade was in position by 06:05. Training continued with rapid fire and tactical schemes, before the Australian Mounted Division was ordered on 12 September, to move out to Tel el Fara to take over outpost duties. While the Australian Mounted Division was at Abasan el Kebir during the first half of September, tactical schemes, staff rides and appreciation of schemes and practice concentrations, were carried out.

Training for an attack on lightly entrenched defences was carried out by the 5th Mounted Brigade, when regiments charged in column of squadrons in line, with 150 to 200 yards (140 to 180 m) between squadrons. Only the leading squadrons were armed with swords, and after riding over the hostile trenches, they galloped on to attack the enemy rear. The following squadrons charging without swords, also galloped the trench to make a dismounted bayonet attack, from the rear "while the enemy troops were still in a state of confusion." The third squadron also charged swordless, dismounting in front of the enemy trench, to make a frontal attack with the bayonet, supported by a machine gun on either flank, before preparing to face a counterattack. Provision was made for two regiments charging, when the machine guns would be moved on the outer flanks of the regiments. Further, if the brigade had to cover a distance of open ground before charging, they were trained to make the approach in column of squadrons in line of troops columns, with 25 yards (23 m) between each troop and 100 yards (91 m) between each squadron, to make themselves a more difficult target for artillery. It had been established that at ranges beyond 1,000 yards (910 m), mounted units traveling in this formation, suffered less from machine gun fire than in any other formation. Opinions differed on the best method for a mounted attack, as there were no reliable precedents for modern warfare. However covering fire from machine guns and quick firing artillery should always be employed, and the line of enemy fire and the direction of the mounted attack, should be at, or as near as possible to right angles.

By the end of June the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was in the bivouacs near Abasan el Kebir. Here training continued with instructions for all ranks in anti–gas methods, and for all officers and NCOs in the handling and sending of messages by carrier pigeons. In October training by the Anzac Mounted Division was interspersed with tactical exercises including operations when aircraft played an active part. During the morning of 14 October the division carried out a practice in aircraft contact work, with a conference at Divisional Headquarters in the afternoon. It was reported that ground flares were not visible from the air, and that it was extremely difficult for an aircraft to signal to the ground, using a lamp. White squares of cloth were suggested as substitutes for ground flares, to indicate the forward line and for aircraft to drop messages, instead of attempting to signal. Another divisional practice in aircraft contact work was carried out on 17 October which was not successful, as the aircraft failed to see Divisional Headquarters' Report Centre sign, so communication was not established. A further practice was carried out on 22 October which was "fairly successful."

The Field ambulances were involved in all active operations during the stalemate, when serious fighting, and many casualties, could result. Full preparations were made by the field ambulances, when mobile sections moved out with their regiments, and motor ambulance waggons joined the forward immobile section on the railway at Shellal, where they were prepared to more forward quickly, as needed. From Shellal a daily ambulance train regularly carried wounded and sick to the casualty clearing station at Rafa. Dismounted and mounted troop drill training was carried out by stretcher bearers in the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance. The 32 bearers in eight sections of four men would "advance in extended line in open order at a canter or gallop. Then at a hand signal each section of four pulls together. Number three is the horse–holder. Number one, two and four dismount and pass their bridles over to the horse–holder, who wheels and gallops away with the led horses. This leaves three bearers from each section on foot, or 24 stretcher bearers in all."

There was "keen rivalry between the Australian Mounted Division's 3rd and 4th Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulances. A competition consisting of two mounted stretcher bearers and an ambulance, galloping .5 miles (0.80 km) to pick up a "casualty" (whose "wound" was described). The stretcher bearers applied the correct field dressing, loaded the patient in the field ambulance, and rushed back. While the casualty was picked up a "two-pole operating tent" was put up, dressings unpacked, surgical instruments set out, with an "acetylene gas plant" providing light. As soon as the patient was on the operating table, the competition was over and the stop watches checked, along with every detail. Unloading and re-loading the limber wagon carrying the gear was carefully planned, with all articles needed first being loaded last. The process was "practised and re-practised [along with] the tasks of erecting, striking and re-erecting our operating tent," so they were done quickly and efficiently. The 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance also set up a primus stove with tin wind shield to boil water for sterilising the highly polished surgical instruments. They won the competition in under 12 minutes.

Development of mobile support units

Caterpillar tractor transporting ammunition

Plans were developed to support the mobility of two corps, which would be required to carry on a moving battle, while the third corps "pinned down to his trench system" the Ottoman forces defending Gaza.

Medical

During the advance across the Sinai Peninsula in 1916, there had been no casualty clearing stations, even at railhead. Brigade field ambulances had brought the Anzac Mounted Division casualties out of the front line, but had to be transported back to the infantry field ambulances, by camel convoys attached to the 52nd (Lowland) Division and the 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division. In March 1917, independent medical arrangements, were made by the Anzac Mounted and Imperial Mounted Divisions for the First Battle of Gaza. Although two hospital trains were main available, these mounted divisions still lacked either camel or motor ambulance convoys. When No. 15 Motor Ambulance Convoy of 50 cars arrived from England at the end of March 1917, it was attached to Desert Column. This motor ambulance convoy under orders of the D.S.M.S., became available in April and was employed during the Second Battle of Gaza, to evacuate wounded from the two mounted divisions' field ambulances to the casualty clearing station.

During the stalemate the whole system of evacuation of wounded, was examined and overhaul. Experience gained during the Sinai campaign, guided the development of the most efficient methods, of supporting the mounted corps in action. Wounded were to begin to be taken back from the front line to the casualty clearing stations, before being evacuated back to one of the three divisional receiving stations. These receiving stations, working in echelon behind the normal divisional medical stations, were to be located for the remainder of the stalemate in rotation, at Shellal Junction while their division held the front line, at El Fukhari while their division was in the reserve, and at Khan Yunus supporting the division resting.

During the mobile battles across Sinai, the distance from the casualty clearing stations during fighting, had resulted in at least a 24 hour journey back to surgical facilities. This long delay made the carrying out of timely operations on wounded men impossible. British consulting surgeons had been attached to the casualty clearing stations at Khan Yunis and Deir el Belah, during the first and second battles for Gaza in March and April, but they had not been independent. Not long after the second battle, an operating centre was improvised in the Anzac Mounted Division, divisional receiving station at Shellal. The Australian Red Cross supplied surgical instruments and other equipment, orderlies were trained in operating theatre work, and surgeons working as ambulance officers were allotted for duty in the operating unit. During the stalemate an operating unit was developed and in August the Desert Mounted Corps Operating Unit replaced the improvised Anzac Mounted Division operating centre. It was commanded by an Australian surgeon who had transferred from Cairo, and manned by orderlies, transferred from the three divisions. Extra transport to carry tents, surgical equipment, and personnel was provided before the advance to make the unit mobile. In addition the Scottish Horse Field Ambulance's motor operating car was attached to the Corps operating unit. The Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade's Field Ambulance developed the operating car, designed by Colonel H. Wade in 1914, which enclosed an operating table, sterilisers, full kit of instruments and surgical equipment, wire netting, rope, axes and electric lighting in a Wolseley chassis. The car had been used during the Gallipoli Campaign at Suvla, in the Libyan Desert (during the Senussi Campaign) and at Kantara in Egypt.

In June 1917 the improvised Anzac Field Laboratory, which had been testing for cholera at Romani, was attached to the Anzac Mounted Division. The laboratory was expanded, receiving more equipment and personnel and organised into two sections. A heavy section was located at El Fukhari with the cholera hospital, while a light mobile section which became the Mobile Field Laboratory in October, was attached to the divisional receiving station at Shellal Junction.

Veterinary

The first large group of battle casualties were expected to be taken straight back to Shellal, but a ramp was to be available when the new railway station was opened so horses would then, not have to go further than Imara or Karm. Large numbers of evacuations were expected due to the nature of the operations, problems of water and transport.

1. As many animals to be as possible were evacuated from veterinary hospitals to make room for casualties.
2. The field veterinary detachment at Rafa was doubled in strength by employing lines of communications veterinary units and 200 Egyptians transferred from the Egyptian Labour Corps. Supplies of 1,000 horse-rugs, extra nosebags, picketing gear, and camp equipment for 500 animals were obtained from ordnance.
3. Veterinary posts with picketing gear for 150 animals, were established at Shellal and Deir el Belah to receive and despatch horses brought in by mobile veterinary sections. Railway trucks and loading ramps were held at Deir el Belah to be constructed behind the advancing troops on the military railway to evacuate casualties to Kantara.
4. Egyptian personnel and ordnance stores sufficient for one horse and one camel hospital were held in reserve, along with large quantities of veterinary stores, including 25lb unit chests and mange dressing for camels at Rafa.

Supply units and transport

Stores being unloaded and carried to a dump being constructed behind a tent at El Arish with a caravan of loaded camels in the foreground

The preparations necessary to support Allenby's large army, except by Western Front standards, during the proposed mobile offensive could best be described, as those necessary for the fighting of a small war. The arrangements and requirements, of the supply and transport units in the EEF, were vastly different to those on the western front. In particular, infrastructure was relatively under developed, roads did not resemble those in France, indeed the only metalled road in the region heading north ran from Beersheba to Jerusalem via Hebron along the southern spine of the Judean Hills. On the flat coastal sector the roads were little more than tracks, which would be firm until the regular winter rains arrived, when they would turn into bogs. While the immediate area of the battlefield was waterless desert, where a failure to capture water could result in retreat.

Country near Shellal in September 1917

During the advance across the northern Sinai and the Stalemate in Southern Palestine, the camel transport attached to the Anzac Mounted Division and Desert Column, had been organised to supply brigade sections from the Depot Units of Supply (DUS). However, the plans for the attack on Beersheba and subsequent advance north required horse transport, although it was assumed the transport would not be able to keep up with the advance, motor vehicles could not leave made roads, and there were not enough motor lorries in the region. The superior capacity of motor vehicles had been demonstrated in July 1914, during a British Army trial when average speeds of 34 kilometres (21 mi) per hour, were sustained over six hours to complete a task, estimated to take 14 hours by rail, and four days by horse transport. While a good draught horse could pull about 1,200 pounds (540 kg) the equivalent of six men, about 20 miles (32 km) a day, walking about 3 miles (4.8 km) an hour, or trotting at an average of 6 miles (9.7 km) per hour.

Divisional wagon trains, assembled at the Australian Army Service Corps Training Depot at Moascar in August 1917, while men were transferred from the old brigade sections, other units, and the Training Centre at Moascar. Each wagon was assigned one driver and one Egyptian Army driver, per four horse wagon, although the wagons were increasingly pulled by mules. After two weeks training for drivers and animals the wagons were transported forward by rail and the companies deployed to Rafa and Khan Yunis for further training, during which they commenced routine duties of delivering rations and supplies to their brigades.

Camel Transport Corps watering in the Wadi Ghazzeh near Shellal on 17 September 1917

With the establishment of the divisional trains, the 30,000 camels in the Egyptian Camel Transport Corps and the British Army Service Corps motor transport companies, were reorganised to transport supplies in convoys, forward from railhead or ports to establish and maintain dumps at the 26th DUS for the Anzac Mounted Division and at the 27th DUS for the Australian Mounted Division. The DUS were designed to be mobile, they would be established behind the advancing mounted divisions, from where the divisional wagon trains would load, transport and deliver, supplies forward direct to their brigades and divisional units. The divisional trains serving the Anzac Mounted Division, were organised into the 32nd, 33rd and 34th Coys AASC and the 5th Coy New Zealand ASC in the Anzac Mounted Divisional Train, while the 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th Coys AASC served in the Australian Mounted Divisional Train. On 7 and 9 September the newly formed 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th Coys, Australian Mounted Division Train marched out from Khaun Yunis to Abasan el Kebir, watering at Kazar on the way. They continued their training, by starting to deliver supplies from Khan Yunis to divisional units, at Abasan el Kebir. Training ended, on 17 September when the divisional train moved out to camp 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Tel el Fara, when the wagons began carrying supplies from the 27th DUS then at Shellal Junction, every third day to units in the field.

Water sources at Asluj being repaired and developed

The Divisional Trains carried supplies from the Advanced Supply Depot at Gamli to forward dumps formed at Esani. From there supplies were delivered forward for the troops which would be attacking the Ottoman line. Beginning during the night of 28 October a 6 miles (9.7 km)–long transport column consisting of more than 300 four wheeled vehicles, thousands of camels and pack animals, moved from the Tel el Fara area via Esani to Khalasa and Asluj. They also became responsible for delivering the mail as planning for the coming offensive included the extension of the brigade supply sections' duties to include the collection and distribution of mail from railhead or other forward positions to their brigade units. The AIF Army Postal Service provided mail and telegraphic services, to link the forces in the field, with the civil postal and telegraphic services. Arrangements were made with the Postmaster General’s Department in Australia to sort mails into unit lots, and a base post office was established in Cairo, with another in Alexandria. Field post offices in Egypt normally delivered mail, transacted money orders, parcel post and registered mail.

When permission for the formation of the Australian Mounted Divisional Train had been received on 22 June 1917, it was noted that teams of five mules to pull each wagon, were preferred. The 1914 War Establishment laid down weights to be carried both in General Service (GS) and Limbered General Service wagons. However these were designed for wagons following infantry on "well–metalled" roads. Although a new load table was developed just before the Beersheba operations, a series of experiments demonstrated that even these reduced loads were too heavy for GS wagons, given the conditions in the area. The four–mule teams were proving inadequate, to pull loads of 15 cwt "any distance." A request for five-mule teams was denied. Improvements were made in the pulling ability of the mules, when long reigns were adopted, instead of postilion riders. However, even wagons which started with lighter loads on the march from Shellal to Khalasa at the end of October, following Desert Mounted Corps to Beersheba, resulted in GS wagons being "strewn over 20 miles (32 km)," when 200 camels had to be sent to carry the excess loads, to lighten the wagons.

XX and XXI Corps transport

The transport of the XXI Corps was withdrawn as a result the change to their lines of communication and deployed to the "striking flank" while the extension of the railway to Karm was delayed until the last moment to avoid focus on that section of the front line. The transport services were reinforced and most of the XXI Corps lorries, tractors, and camels were transferred to the XX Corps. These were moved across to load at the supply depots at Shellal and about Karm at the last moment to avoid being seen by hostile reconnaissance aircraft. Meanwhile dumps of rations, ammunition and engineer stores were formed in the XXI Corps area in concealed positions. Almost all of the XXI Corps transport except ammunition tractors was transferred to the XX Corps and Desert Mounted Corps with two companies and two sections of camels and horse pulled wagons of the 10th, 53rd, 60th and 74th Divisional Trains. Three days' mobile rations for three divisions and two days for one division were loaded up ready for the advance. Large dumps with seven days rations on the mobile scale were also formed ready for operations. Three Motor Transport Companies were deployed to XX Corps and Desert Mounted Corps and enough wheeled transport transferred to XX Corps to carry three day's rations for three divisions and two days' for one division. Water for the XX Corps was to be carried on 6,000 camels in several companies of "light burden" camels and 73 lorries.

Desert Mounted Corps transport

Preliminary orders made it clear that Desert Mounted Corps had to be prepared to operate independent from base for a period of three days. Between July and October training to develop the corps ability to be self-supporting was conducted. Each trooper was issued with officers' pattern saddle wallets to carry personal articles and clothing, three days' rations of bully beef, biscuit, and groceries including an iron ration and two day's forage (19 lb. of grain) in two nose–bags. Each regiment was followed by the third day's forage loaded in three Limber General Service wagons, another carried technical stores and cooking utensils, while pack animals carried entrenching tools. In addition to these wagons and 67 water carts, each mounted brigade required four brigade headquarters transport wagons, thirteen regimental transport wagons per regiment, totaling 39 wagons per brigade. Another 20 wagons were needed by the Machine Gun Squadron and four by the Brigade Field Ambulance. The brigade transport was deployed in three echelons. "A" Echelon commanded by an officer, consisted of 21 Limber wagons carrying brigade and regimental headquarters, small arms ammunition, technical stores, and four water carts. This echelon traveled behind their brigade or brigade group, instead of following their units as in the past. "B 1" Echelon commanded by the Brigade Transport Officer consisted of 18 Limber wagons carrying all the supplies for the brigade, the regiments, the machine gun squadron, and the field ambulance. "B 2" Echelon commanded by an officer consisted of 24 General Service wagons carrying all the baggage for the brigade, the regiments, the machine gun squadron and the field ambulance.

While deployed in the Abasan el Kebir area, divisional commanders would issue surprise orders for the troops to get ready for independent operations, and move out in regiments or other units to specified areas, where they would be inspected, and the time taken by each unit, noted by staff officers. Competition became intense between the divisions and the various units within the divisions to be the fastest to get into position and pass inspection. Saddle wallets were permanently packed, the rations being replaced when the old rations were consumed, nose–bags were refilled after the last feed and tied on to the saddles, the Limbered General Service (LGS) wagons were packed each night, and all harness and saddlery was laid out behind the horse lines.

Aftermath

Main article: Southern Palestine Offensive

The Gaza-Beersheba line was completely overrun and 12,000 Ottoman soldiers were captured or surrendered. However, the sacrifice of the Ottoman rearguards delayed the pursuit and saved the army from encirclement and destruction. The EEF advance would occupy Jerusalem on 9 December. From the evacuation of Gaza to the occupation of Jaffa the two factors which influenced the speed of the advance most, were the frequent counterattacks which were most often directed against the right of the advancing mounted corps from the foothills of the Judean Hills and insufficient water.

The Yildirim Army Group did not attempt a strong counterattack, the Seventh Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal and the Eighth Army commanded by Kress von Kressenstein were ordered to "conduct a fighting withdrawal," with the Ottoman 3rd Cavalry Division screening the left flank of the Seventh Army. The headquarters of Yildirim Army Group retired back to Jerusalem while the headquarters of the Seventh Army retired to Bethlehem. These two armies were to retreat back to a new defensive line 10 miles (16 km) north, establishing rearguards, before disengaging their forces to withdraw often at night. By 9 November the Eighth Army had retreated 20 miles (32 km) while the Seventh Army had lost hardly any ground.

General Allenby completely outfought the Turks in the way he handled his mounted troops. First of all, he sent us to Beersheba, after that we went on the extreme right flank into the hills near Hebron, country that the Turks thought too rough for mounted troops to operate in. We fought there for about a week, then one night quickly pulled out and 2 nights later, put in an appearance at Tel el Sheria, in the centre of the line. Had some rough–house there, and the next thing, we were on the extreme left, near Gaza. The Turks never knew where to expect us ...

— Sergeant Byron 'Jack' Baly, 7th Light Horse Regiment (3rd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Mounted Division)

EEF transport

During the attack on Beersheba, the transport of the XXI Corps had been assigned to supply the XX Corps. Afterwards when the Ottoman left flank was being attacked and thrown back, the XX Corps marched back to near railhead at Karm where they could be easily supplied. The switching back of transport required many thousands of camels to converg on their allotted areas to be loaded up for the advance. Motor lorries worked to the last moment in the east, before driving westwards across sand and powdered earth, loaded up, and following the infantry. However, on 9 November the 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, (52nd Division) commanded by Brigadier General Archibald Herbert Leggett was the only infantry unit able to advance, as the 155th and 157th Brigades (52nd Division) were regrouping after fierce fighting for Sausage Ridge on 8 November during the Capture of Wadi el Hesi. The XXI Corps's 54th (East Anglian) Division was forced to remain at Gaza and the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade at Beit Hanun. In the rear, Lieutenant General Philip Chetwode's XX Corps had transferred its transport to XXI Corps, requiring the 60th (2/2nd London) Division (Major General John Shea) to remain at Huj, while the 10th (Irish) (Major General John Longley) and 74th (Yeomanry) (Major General Eric Girdwood) Divisions were at Karm.

Condition of Desert Mounted Corps animals

During the lull in operations after the end of the Jerusalem campaign, the Director of Veterinary Services, Egyptian Expeditionary Force requested of the General Officer Commanding Desert Mounted Corps (Chauvel) details regarding the condition of animals between 1 November and 31 December 1917. The Anzac Mounted Division responded –

• 1. The longest period the animals were continuously without water: (a) 84 hours by a Divisional headquarters' cable wagon team, (b) 60 hours by several regiments in the two Australian light horse brigades (c) 72 hours by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade.
• 2. The work performed during this period: by (a) above, almost continuous work, cable laying, which entailed heavy work partly over rough country, by (b) above, fast travelling and reconnaissance, averaging about 20 miles (32 km) each day, by (c) above, first two days reconnaissance, averaging about 20 miles (32 km), followed by virtually no movement.
• 3. Whether they fed well when they were thirsty: Yes, up to 36 hours; after that, in most cases, they refused to eat.
• 4. The average number of times they were watered daily during the period specified or during any intermediate period: once a day during the advance to 15 November, after that twice daily.
• 5. The smallest amount of grain and fodder they received at any time and for what period: 4 pounds (1.8 kg) grain and no bulk fodder for 24 hours
• 6. The average amount of grain and fodder they received during the whole or any intermediate period: An average of 9 pounds (4.1 kg) grain with average 4lbs (1.8kg) Tibbin requisitioned from inhabitants up to 17 December. From 17 to 31 December 12 pounds (5.4 kg) grain and average 4lbs (1.8kg) haystuffs.
• 7. The maximum amount of grain and fodder they received at any time and for what period: see para 6 last period.
• 8. To what extent were units able to supplement their forage locally, by grazing or otherwise: An average of 4lbs (1.8kg) haystuff per horse was obtained from the inhabitants throughout the whole period of operations. Grazing nil.
• 9. When was there any noticeable change in their condition and vigour as a result of work and privation: after 36 hours without water. With good food and water the horses picked up remarkably, though all units reported problems when issuing grain on five consecutive days, when the horses suffered from diarrhoea, laminitis and loss of vigour. With reference to the cable wagon team which was without water for 84hours, though much distressed at the end of that period, these horses quickly recovered. The horses of the division commenced operations about 26 October 1917 in excellent condition, which is largely responsible for the small evacuations on account of debility, both during operations and afterwards.
• Note – The horses of one brigade had an indifferent watering on the morning of 6 November with their next watering next during action on 8 November. They were greatly distressed on 10 November, before being watered during the night of 10/11 November. By 13 November with good water and rest, they were fit for work again, though they lost a lot of condition.

1918

Desert Mounted Corps move to rest camps

Australian Mounted Division dump at Deiran railhead in March 1918

Allenby's forces were paralysed by a breakdown in logistics and he had to send two mounted divisions and the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade south of Gaza. He wrote: "I can't feed them, with certainty, and even now, a fortnight's heavy rain would bring me near starvation."

On 1 January the Australian Mounted Division started the journey back to Deir el Belah with 5th Mounted Brigade began moving back through the rain and slush followed by the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance. Led horses arrived on 5 January and the division moved on in continuous rain back to Ramle at noon and Deiran in the afternoon of 6 January. The trip the next day took them through a wadi with 5 feet (1.5 m) of water; all the floors of carts were awash and the mud had to be cut from the wheels. They moved on again the next day to Mejdel on 9 January eventually reaching Gaza on 11 January; 70 miles (110 km) in 11 days.

At Deir el Belah rest camp, the Australian Mounted Division conducted a course in mounted swordsmanship. The chief instructor, an officer of the 5th Mounted Brigade trained six members of the three regiments of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. The 18 were lieutenants, second lieutenants, sergeants and a couple of corporals. While a lieutenant and a second lieutenant from the 4th Light Horse Regiment were sent on to Junior Officers' School, the remainder of the trainees became qualified instructors in mounted swordsmanship on 28 February 1918.

On 12 January the Anzac Mounted Division moved back; the 1st and possibly 2nd Light Horse Brigades to Esdud (where Frank Hurley took 'mud pictures' on 7 January) with its New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in its old bivouac near Ayun Kara (Rishon le Zion).

Reorganisation of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force

The War Office in London sent the following cipher to Allenby:

1. In continuation of my No. 54881 of 23 March, the situation in France necessitates the cancelling of instructions contained in my No. 53711 of 7 March.
2. You will adopt a policy of active defence in Palestine as soon as the operations you are now undertaking are complete.
3. The 52nd (Lowland) Division (less artillery) will be sent to France as soon as shipping can be made available with the artillery of the 7th (Meerut) Division It is desired be sent to France one other British division, either on arrival of 3rd (Lahore) Division, or before, if you consider the situation in Palestine admits of this. Which division would you send?
4. In view of change of policy, what heavy artillery can you spare? Personnel is urgently needed in France, and if you cannot spare complete batteries, could be made good later [sic].
5. Despatch of all additional transport and railway material and labour for advance to Haifa has been cancelled, but your normal upkeep will be met.
6. The despatch of four additional flying squadrons will be delayed.
7. Replacement of British by Indian units, as already notified, will be carried out.

Now that the 60th Division is being broken up and reconstituted, I want to express to you and through you to the Division my thanks and my admiration for your work up to now and my good wishes for the future.

The Battalions going to another theatre will carry with them a proud record. The Battalions staying here will – whether retaining their old formation or broken up – be the same fine fighters as ever; and they will inspire the new 60th Division with the spirit of the old.

To all; to those leaving, us, whose departure I regret; to those remaining with us; I wish Good Fortune and Success.

Allenby letter to Shea on the occasion of the breaking up of the 60th (London) Infantry Division, 25 May 1918 in

As ordered Allenby, sent the experienced 52nd (Lowland) Division which had served with great distinction during the Sinai Campaign at the Battle of Romani in August 1916, garrisoning El Arish during the attacks at Magdhaba and Rafa and during the Palestine Campaign at the second and third Battles of Gaza, the Battle of Mughar Ridge and the Battle of Jerusalem. Also sent to the Western Front during the first half of April were the 74th (Yeomanry) Division and nine-ten British infantry battalions from other divisions, five and a half heavy siege batteries and five machine gun companies. Nine Yeomanry regiments of the Yeomanry Mounted Division, which had been led by regular cavalry officers, were sent to France to do infantry work. Another 14 British battalions were sent in May. In all, a total of 60,000 men were sent to the Western Front.

The yeomanry regiments were replaced by the 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions from Mesopotamia and Indian cavalry units from the France. Between May and August the 53rd, 60th and 75th Divisions were completely reconstituted on the Indian scale; that is, each division consisted of nine Indian battalions and three British battalions. All but one battalion from each brigade sent to France, was replaced by Indian Army battalions. The 10th (Irish) Division was also reformed with eight of its 12 battalions replaced by Indian battalions; only the 54th (East Anglian) Division was left wholly British.

Within the 44 Indian battalions there was a language problem; junior British officers could not speak Hindustani and in one battalion only one Indian officer spoke English and only two British officers could speak Hindustani.

Allenby requested Japanese soldiers to reinforce the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and reacted in mid-June to the War Office's plan to recall the Australian Mounted Division and the only all-British 54th (East Anglian) Division for infantry duties on the Western Front. Both these divisions remained in Allenby's force.

Nevertheless the strength of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force was maintained; seven full infantry divisions remained in Palestine and mounted formations were increased to four mounted divisions including the experienced 4th and 5th Cavalry Divisions from France. These cavalry divisions were composed of three brigades containing one British and two Indian regiments. British field ambulances remained and were augmented by Indian personnel. When the Australian Mounted Division's 5th Mounted Brigade was sent to France it was replaced by the newly formed 5th Light Horse Brigade made up of Australian and New Zealanders from the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade while the Yeomanry cameleers remained, patrolling with Lawrence's Hejaz forces beyond the Dead Sea. Feisal's Hejaz force also received 2,000 camels after the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade was disbanded.

[While] in my tent last night [5 June] an orderly brought me instructions for my early removal to France. They were unexpected and anything but welcome, for there is no doubt as to which is the "better war." [He embarked on 7 June and by 17 June] We are passing through the Riviera. The sentries at the bridges and tunnels are French. Good-bye, Egypt. Good-bye, Palestine. Goodbye, blue skies and summer seas. We are in the B.E.F. again, and the B.E.F. cares for none of these things. Maleesh!

N. C. Sommers Down an officer in the Gordon Highlanders

The men of the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade had a rough reputation, largely because battalion commanders took the opportunity when the brigade was formed to offload some of their more difficult characters. After leaving the Jordan Valley they spent "a pleasant four months" training at Surrafend. The Australians and New Zealanders formed the 14th and 15th Light Horse Regiments while a French regiment of Spahis and Chasseurs d'Afrique formed the third regiment of the 5th Light Horse Brigade established in August and commanded by Brigadier General George Macarthur-Onslow.

With the exception of the Anzac Mounted Division, Chauvel's Desert Mounted Corps was either reorganising or in training; the 4th Cavalry Division commanded by Major General G. de S. Barrow (former commander of the Yeomanry Mounted Division) was soon ready to patrol the front line. Along with the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry (ex 8th Mounted Brigade) and the 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse), the 36th Jacob's Horse, a regular Indian Cavalry regiment which had been serving in France, formed the 11th Cavalry Brigade commanded by Brigadier General C. L. Gregory). The 10th, 11th and 12th Cavalry Brigades formed Barrow's 4th Cavalry Division, which moved to the Jordan Valley where they engaged in patrol work on the front line. The 5th Cavalry Division was commanded by Major General H.J. Macandrew of the Indian Army. It was formed from the former 5th and 7th Yeomanry Brigades with the experienced Indian Imperial Service Brigade, which had served since the first attack on the Suez Canal, becoming the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade. (See Suez Canal Campaign (1915–1916) above)

British infantry divisions which continued to be deployed in Palestine were the 10th, 53rd, 54th, 60th and 75th and each of them was modified to reflect the structures used in India, except for the 54th with continued unchanged. Each division consisted of nine Indian battalions and three British battalions, organised on the Indian Army pattern of one British to two or three Indian battalions. A training programme was immediately instituted and a number of small scale raids were made by these new divisions on the coast, and other significantly larger attacks were carried out in the Judean Hills to improve the front line. But many British officers believed that the changes had seriously weakened the efficiency of the infantry.

Condition of British infantry in Judean Hills

Before us stretched the whole position from the Nablus Road on our left to the Jordan valley, four thousand feet below, on our right. Here was the line we had been holding at first, there, a bare stony knoll crowned with a row of Turkish sangars, from which a few black specks could just be made out withdrawing to their day positions. Here a solitary fig-tree marked the spot where we discovered an empty cave-like cistern, round the circular mouth of which clung masses of slender maidenhair fern; there the village in which we tried to obtain figs from the few remaining inhabitants, and only succeeded in getting fleas. A dark, low ridge on the horizon brought back thoughts of the raid that never came off, and then with almost a sheer drop the hills parted and Jordan glistened in the sun, which had not yet breasted our own particular hills. Pale green and yellow, blue and grey, a wonderfully peaceful sight. Our own hills were still little but silhouettes, dark, uninviting lumps of rock. Inhospitable and barren, exposed to every hurricane and downpour, how can we look forward to leaving them with any feeling but pleasure. Generally one does not regret the departure from a place till one has left it, and all its disadvantages fade away through the rose-coloured spectacles of memory. But already I feel sad at the thought of going.

Lieutenant N. Cecil Sommers Down, Gordon Highlanders watching dawn break over the mountains of Moab from an outpost 4,500 feet (1,400 m) above the Jordan.

British soldiers serving in Palestine believed they would be better off if they were serving in France mainly because they would be nearer home and be able to get leave and letters more often. They also thought that in France they would enjoy comfortable billets whenever they were out of the front line and be close to the central theatre of the war.

Despite the EEF's improved infrastructure weather and conditions at this time of year played havoc with transport and a soldier's diet was often reduced to the bare minimum of canned meat and biscuit. As railway connections with Kantara improved, so did the diet of the soldiers. Tea was brought in from Ceylon; sheep and goats from the Sudan, Cyprus, and later Syria; flour from Australia, India, and Canada; and frozen meat from Australia, South Africa, and Argentina. These supplies were transported from Kantara by railway to a railhead and then allotted to specific units. It would then be despatched by lorries, wagons or by camel if there were no sealed roads. It has been considered that British soldiers were much better fed "than the half–starved Turk he faced on his front."

But the Ottoman armies had been falling back from Gaza and Beersheba on their own intact supply lines; they were not the ones with problems of supply. Ottoman deserters were always anxious to give information which they thought would please; when asked how they were doing in the way of food, the reply was often that they were starving not because they were starving, but because the deserter thought it was would please the British to hear that they were. The crucial importance of the lines of communication to the feeding of the men resulted in road making in the Judean Hills being carried on by the infantry as well as the local population; whole battalions worked everyday making mud into roads by laying stones over the mud.

Sommers, a lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders describes going out on a night patrol on 31 March with a sergeant and one man, moving along "wadis at the bottom of very high hills, miles from anybody except Johnny, with a heart thumping hard in my boots. Every bush or boulder took on the appearance of a waiting man. The patrol was a reconnoitring one entirely, and so we were supposed to avoid any enemy, but frequently we send out fighting patrols, of a dozen or more men, and they tackle any enemy they run across, up to twice their number." And spending a night pushing out the line with only slight opposition by building a line of sangars three hundred yards in front of our old line before artillery shelling sent him to hospital. "Johnny began to shell our bivvies and watch[ed] our worldly goods being blown to bits. We heard another shell coming and ducked behind an olive-tree – the brute burst within a few yards and was just congratulating myself on a lucky escape, when I saw blood trickling down my tunic, and found that they had got me in the cheek. Directly I was hit one of the company stretcher bearers dressed me, and from there I went to the regimental aid-post, where the M.O. had an ineffectual probe or two. I walked up an awful wadi for about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the advanced aid-post which was full. They gave me a mule and an orderly, and sent me on to the field ambulance, which was at Bethel, a horrible journey in the dark over slithery hills – 8 miles (13 km) of them. A large tot of brandy settled me off, and I slept until they were ready to send me on to Jerusalem, which I reached after various adventures. One night in the Italian hospital there, and now I am at railhead waiting to go down the line to-morrow."

Preparations for Megiddo offensive

About the middle of July it became obvious that the Germans' attack on the Western Front had failed, and the opposing sides had returned to a continuation of trench warfare that had dominated fighting on that front for nearly four years and it seemed that the war would carry over into 1919. At this time the British Prime Minister Mr. Lloyd George revived his idea of borrowing divisions from the Western Front for a winter campaign in Palestine and restoring them in time for a spring campaign in France. It quickly became apparent that there would not be sufficient time to realise this project and Allenby was left to do the best he could with what he already had.

During the spring attacks along the front line Allenby had manoeuvred the Ottoman forces into a disposition favourable to his intentions and during the summer, while completing the reorganisation and training of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and improving the capacity of its lines of communication, Allenby kept the focus on the Jordan Valley and on the eastern flank.

Aerial superiority

Since the arrival of Pasha I just before the Battle of Romani in early August 1916, Ottoman forces had enjoyed aerial superiority. By the end of January 1918, however, No. 1 Australian Squadron was equipped with nine Bristol Fighters, two R.E.8’s. five Martinsydes, and five B.E's and by the end of March all older aircraft had been replaced and the squadron comprised eighteen Bristol Fighters. The Mark I Bristol Fighters (190-h p. Rolls–Royce engines) were gradually replaced during 1918 by Mark 111 type (260-h.p. Rolls–Royce).

Bristol FE2C fighter aircraft flying over Mejdel aerodrome and Australian Flying Corps camp

These faster aircraft enabled air raids to be carried out well behind Ottoman lines. On 3 January 1918 an R.E.8, accompanied by a combined raid of 16 aircraft (eight from No. 1 Squadron AFC) on El Afule aerodrome in the Esdraelon plain to the north of the Judean Hills. There they dropped 1,200 lbs of bombs on hangars, a two seater aircraft and an ammunition dump which exploded, killing 40 Ottoman soldiers. The raiding aircraft were escorted by at least one Bristol Fighter which attacked two Albatros one of which was shot down near the railway between El Afule and Jenin, the other was also attacked by the R.E.8. During another raid the next day against Jenin aerodrome Albatros scouts made a surprise attack resulting in losses to both sides On 2 February a large camp of 400 tents were reported at Miske immediately behind the Ottoman lines near the Mediterranean coast. The next day 60 bombs were dropped by five aircraft from No. 1 Squadron making 32 direct hits; this raid was repeated the next morning.

With the improved aircraft regular reconnaissance was possible far in the rear of Ottoman lines. The whole disposition of their armies from the front lines back to Jenin and the Esdraelon plain, along the valley of the Jordan across to Es Salt and Amman and over the desert along the railway to El Kutrani, had to be recorded and watched from day to day. The strength at each important point was estimated and the tactical condition of the country ascertained. These air reports showed that existing army maps were so inaccurate that they would have to be redrawn. The positions of important roads and villages near the front line were wrongly given and points of military significance located by aircraft observers were not shown on the maps at all. It was resolved that most of the front line region must be re–mapped. This entailed the photographing of a strip of country 32 miles (51 km) deep comprising an area of about 624 square miles. The task was allotted to No. 1 Australian Squadron and took two weeks from 15 January while daylight bombing raids continued to be made on selected points. The method of reconnaissance photography was for five aircraft; Martinsydes and B.E.12.a's, to fly in line 1,000 yards apart at a height of 12,000 feet, thus ensuring an overlap of the exposures of each camera. Day after day this patrol worked under the escort of three Bristol Fighters – two of them from No. 1 Squadron. This work was opposed by Albatros scouts, increasing anti-aircraft fire and the weather.

General aerial reconnaissance patrols over country well beyond the area being photographed was carried out by aircraft as far as 60 miles (97 km) behind Ottoman lines. All new aerodromes, important railway centres, new railway and road works, dumps, parks of transport and troop camps were reported and several suspected Ottoman headquarters located. Early on, the importance of the Nablus to Tul Keram road and the Jisr ed Damieh ford across the Jordan River linking Nablus via the Wady Fara to Es Salt and Amman, was appreciated.

In response large groups of anti aircraft guns were assembled by the Ottoman forces at Amman, Jericho, Huwara (south of Nablus), Messudie Juncation (in the hills at Sebustie) and were particularly fierce at Tul Keram (a big supply centre and Ottoman army headquarters) and Kalkilieh (on the railway south of Tul Keram).

Arrival of Jewish and Armenian units

As a consequence of the Balfour Declaration of 2 November 1917 three battalions of Jewish volunteers recruited from England, America and the Middle East arrived and were formed into the 38th, 39th and 40th Royal Fusiliers. Armenian refugees were added to the French contingent. Initially opposed by the War Office because of a possible increase in tensions with Arabs in Palestine, the War Cabinet later agreed.

Withdrawal of German contingents

In the spring of 1918 'Pasha II Reinforcement', a strong contingent of German troops had arrived but Liman von Sanders was suddenly told that all German troops in the country were to be withdrawn as a result of the Ottoman Empire moving its interest and support from Palestine to Anatolia and the Trans-Caucasian territories. However, on 11 June Liman received an order to withdraw the 11th reserve Jäger Battalion. Despite threatening to resign and protesting that the leakage of troops will lose the whole of Arabia together with Palestine and Syria, as a result of extravagant enterprises in Trans–Caucasia, he lost the German battalion.

By September its claimed that there were more deserters from the Ottoman army than soldiers in the army and that in Palestine the Ottoman army was starved of reinforcements and supplies, and the soldiers, many sick with malaria were "hungry, ragged, verminous, comfort-less, hopeless, [and] outnumbered."

But the weak Ottoman infantry divisions had more heavy machine guns than the British – about 60 per division so that west of the Jordan the Ottoman infantry had 600 against 350 in the British and French infantry. They were not so strong in light machine guns, but including the German troops, [sic] there were 450 west of the Jordan. The total machine gun personnel of a division was approximately 800 which increased the fighting strength of the force very considerably. The increasing use of machine guns from the beginning of the war meant that by 1918 the weak divisions of all sides were stronger than those of 1914.

Overall, however, by September 1918 the British Empire force was considerably stronger than the Ottoman Empire force in Palestine.

Deraa railway hub

The Hedjaz railway reached Deraa from Damascus and from there one branch; the Hedjaz railway line continued south to supply the Fourth Ottoman Army east of the Jordan, while the second railway headed west across the Jordan River at Jisr el Mejamie to Beisan. From they the railway turned north–west through the Esdraelon Plain (also known as the Valley of Jezreel) to Afule. Between Deraa and Afule, the railway ran parallel to the front line, although a considerable number of miles behind it. From Afule a branch line ran north–west across the Plain to Haifa, while the main line turned south to Jenin. From Jenin the railway passed through a narrow pass in the foothills to Messudieh Junction where it again split, one branch to the west to Tulkarm and then south to the railhead of the Eighth Army in the front line on the coastal plain. The second branch from Messudieh Junction ran south–east to Nablus the headquarters of the Seventh Army in the Judean Hills.

Reorganisation of the Desert Mounted Corps

The Yeomanry Division, the 5th Mounted Brigade and the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade were disbanded 2,000 of the latter's camels were given to Feisal's Hedjaz Arab army. Two new cavalry divisions; the 4th and 5th were formed from newly transferred Indian units, and the remaining yeomanry regiments were reorganised into brigades numbering 10 to 15 with Indian cavalry regiments. The 5th Cavalry Division included the former Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, which became the 15th (Imperial Service) Brigade. The 5th Australian Light Horse Brigade, replaced the 5th Mounted Yeomanry Brigade, in the Australian Mounted Division. The new brigade was formed from the Australian and New Zealand battalions of the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade and a regiment of Mixte de Marche de Palestine et Syrie; two squadrons of French Chasseurs d’Afrique and one of Spahis. The Desert Mounted Corps increased from three to four divisions; the 4th Cavalry Division, the 5th Cavalry Division, the Australian Mounted Division and the Anzac Mounted Division.

The eight Yeomanry regiments which were dismounted and fought in France in machine gun battalions were replaced by 13 Indian cavalry regiments. These included the 5th Cavalry Division, transferred from France along with five additional "regular Indian cavalry regiments," and the Imperial Service Brigade which had served since the first attack on the Suez Canal in 1915.

The 5th Mounted Brigade was replaced in the Australian Mounted Division by the recently formed 5th Light Horse Brigade. The two light horse regiments were formed from Australians transferred from the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade. The third regiment was to have been New Zealanders but the New Zealand Government refused to raise the additional regiment nor transfer the Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment from the Western Front. They did however, provided the brigade's machine gun squadron; the 2nd New Zealand Machine Gun Squadron.

For four months we [of the 5th Light Horse Brigade, newly transferred from the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade] trained with our new mounts. Most of the men were horsemen, so our main training was with our new weapon, the sword. It was a pleasant four months at Surrafend. We played a kind of polo and did a little tent-pegging with swords.

— Hall with the 5th Light Horse Brigade

Desert Mounted Corps' horses

In comparison with the extremely good condition of the horses of the Anzac and Australian Mounted Divisions at the beginning of the Beersheba operations in October 1917 the condition of the animals prior to the Megiddo offensive was not good. Since their severe and prolonged exertion in the field during the Battle of Mughar Ridge and the attacks on Amman and Es Salt, the horses were unable to regain their extremely good condition. This was due to their occupation of the Jordan Valley, where continuous extreme conditions throughout the summer on a forage ration with a reduced nutritive value, and sickness amongst the men which made it impossible for the animals to be properly cared for and exercised.

While the animals in poor condition or unlikely to withstand strenuous operations were evacuated, the number of remounts was limited, and some units arrived at their points of concentration without them. And, as in all previous campaigns, the animals that had most recently joined the force, were the first to collapse in the advance.

The 4th, 5th Cavalry and Australian Mounted Divisions (the latter by then armed as cavalry) concentrated near Ramleh, Ludd and Jaffa where they dumped surplus equipment. The horses were to carry an additional 21.5 pounds (9.8 kg) of grain, while one day’s grain ration was carried on “A” echelon limber wagons. This was in addition to their normal load of a saddle, bandolier with 90 rounds of small arms ammunition, lance, sword and scabbard, rifle and on the man in addition to him and his clothing and helmet, he wore a bandolier with 90 rounds of small arms ammunition, and a belt with bayonet and 50 rounds of small arms ammunition. The actual weight normally carried by each horse was about 17 stone (110 kg).

Moves out of the Jordan Valley

On 16 September Desert Mounted Corps headquarters closed at Talat ed Dumm, on the Jerusalem to Jericho road, leaving the camp standing complete with wireless station. Chauvel's headquarters were reopened at Jerishe on the Nahr el ‘Auja. The cavalry had spent the summer occupying the Jordan Valley, during which many men suffered from malaria and other fevers, which were expected to recur when the advance moved into the cooler north, and while the horses were not in poor condition, they were certainly no where near completely fit.

On 11 September 10 Cavalry Brigade including the Seinde Horse Regiment, left the Jordan Valley. They marched via Jericho, 19 miles (31 km) to Talaat de Dumm, then a further 20 miles (32 km) to Enab, eventually reaching Ramleh on 17 September. After completing their refitting, when they were issued with one day’s iron and two days’ emergency rations and 21 pounds (9.5 kg) of corn, to be carried on the horse in sandbags across the front arch of the saddle, the brigade continued to the orange groves at Yazur near Jaffa until 04:15 when the final move to the assembly for the Battle of Sharon was made. In all five night marches of an average of 14 miles (23 km) were made to get the cavalry into position for the advance. This preliminary concentration in enormous orange and olive groves was completely concealed from the German and Ottoman observation. A hostile air reconnaissance on 15 September reported, "Some re–grouping of cavalry units apparently in progress behind the enemy's flank; otherwise nothing unusual to report." At this time three cavalry divisions, five infantry divisions, and the majority of the heavy artillery of the force were concentrated between Ramleh and the front line of the coastal sector, with 301 guns in place of the normal number of 70.

On the same day Ottoman or German intelligence reports noted an increase in cavalry in the Jordan Valley. Ottoman intelligence estimated the Egyptian Expeditionary Force' effective and mobile combat strength at 56,000 riflemen, 11,000 cavalry, and 552 artillery guns, although some of these may have been on the lines of communication, not the front line.

Swords issued to the Australian Mounted Division

The Australian Mounted Division, commanded by Hodgson, was by now made up of eight Light Horse and one French Spahis and Chasseurs d’Afrique regiments. The Light Horse regiments had requested swords, and despite supply problems, the staff of the Australian Mounted Division had been preparing to receive authorisation for the issue of swords. The British 1908 cavalry swords with its moulded grip, basket hilt and slender 89 centimetres (35 in) blade, were issued to the men along with rifle buckets. Training commenced with these standard British thrusting swords in mid–August, after the division was relieved from occupying the Jordan Valley, and continued for the three to four weeks before the Megiddo attack.

As a result of this weapons upgrade, the Australian Mounted Division became the third cavalry divisions in Desert Mounted Corps armed and trained in shock tactics in pursuit.

Logistics

Due to the continuing German submarine blockade in 1918 30,000 tons of wheat, 30,000 tons of barley, 6,000 tons of lentils, 12,000 tons of beans, 275,000 tons of tibben, 25,000 tons of millet were collected from the populations of southern Palestine and redistributed to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. A big fishing fleet on Lake Manzala with curing factories at Port Said and Kantara. The dried and smoked fish was distributed to the army while the fresh supplies of fish were sent to EEF hospitals. Egypt also supplied all the sugar, hay-stuffs and fresh vegetables except for a small proportion supplied from southern Palestine.

While the German and Ottoman forces had well-established infrastructure the EEF had a double railway line across the Sinai to Rafa on which over 2,000 tons of supplies were transported daily. This railway line which had been extended beyond the Wadi Ghuzzeh before the Third Battle of Gaza had been extended to Beersheba by 3 May 1918. Supplies were transferred to lorries for the trip from Beersheba to Jerusalem via Hebron and Bethlehem, until the Ottoman railway from Abu Irqaiyiq was relaid up to Junction Station on the maritime plain and on 15 June 1918 the relaid railway line from Ludd to Jerusalem was complete. The Jaffa to Ludd section was also relaid and on some sections both captured railway trains and carriages were run alongside British gauge trains and carriages. Light railways were built to the rear of the front line; from Jerusalem to Bire and from Sarona to Jlil. The journey to the front lines from Egypt was vastly improved when the railway bridge across the Suez Canal was completed in July 1918.

Medical support planning

No. 35 Motor Ambulance Convoy, the only one in the EEF, was placed under the headquarters of the Palestine Lines of Communication and special camps were opened for some 5,000 lightly wounded cases.

It was only possible to open two divisional receiving stations instead of three to serve Desert Mounted Corps, as only two immobile sections from the Australian Mounted and the 4th Cavalry Divisions receiving stations were available, owing to a mix up the 5th Cavalry Division's immobile section. Personnel from the two receiving stations marched out on foot with their wheeled transport moving in the rear of their divisions, accompanied by Desert Mounted Corps Operating Unit and two malarial diagnosis stations.

It had been planned for the first receiving station to be set up at Khurbet es Sumrah near the Musmus Pass by the 5th Cavalry Division, the second with the Corps Operating Unit and the malarial diagnosis stations, was to be established at Tulkeram by the 4th Cavalry Division, while the Australian Mounted Division receiving station was to be in reserve. Tulkeram was also to be the site of the main infantry dressing-station, from where motor ambulance convoy cars would transport infantry and mounted troops back to the main hospitals.

Heavy motor ambulance wagons, used during the advance from Beersheba to Jerusalem, were exchanged for lighter ones. Extra camels were obtained, to carry a reserve supply of two days' rations and medical comforts, for each divisional receiving station. Successful experiments were carried out, dropping medical supplies and comforts from aeroplanes, using motor car tire inner tubes.

Mobile sections of the light horse and mounted brigades' field ambulances were to accompany their brigades.

Malaria

The planned advance was to pass through one of the most malarious regions in the world, particularly in September and October when the malignant tertian type comes in epidemic numbers. It was decided that a prophylactic dose of ten grains of quinine daily, be given to all troops and it was recommended that mosquito nets continue to be used by the Desert Mounted Corps.

Morale

EEF

Leave home to Britain and empire colonies and dominions from the Egyptian Expeditionary Force was, except on the smallest scale, impossible while leave to Egypt; to Cairo and Alexandria was fairly freely given. Comforts and small pleasures were not as well provided for to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as those provided to the British Expeditionary Force in Europe. But canteens were established in all the main towns behind the front and kiosks with soda fountains selling tobacco, sweets and cakes were set up close to the line. In the year 1918 the troops in Egypt paid £4,500,000 for comforts bought from these canteens and kiosks.

While the state of morale in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force may have been better than the British Expeditionary Force before the German Spring Offensive in France began to weaken. In the Levant, as the campaign season approached, Allenby intensified training and applied strict discipline.

The Diary of Norman F. Rothon a mule driver with the 13th Mountain Howitzer Battery, 8th Brigade RGA, 7th (Meerut) Division, recorded discipline and training: on 17 August "I think those in charge here are trying to break the mens hearts with their petty orders and punishments etc." On 20 August "One man tied to limber wheel for 1 hour tonight, doing No. 1 Field punishment for 14 days for quite a trivial offence." On 21 August "Defaulter again tied to Limber Wheel, he broke down in hysterics just previous to being tied up and was a very pathetic sight, especially when letters from home were being called out just near him." On 23/24 August "What a battery this is for punishment. Tonight there is one man strung up to the Limber Wheel! B & C Subs on one hour extra grooming!! 4 men doing Pack Drill!!! And one man being tried by little Willie!!!! [a new and unpopular officer in charge of the lines] And then they wonder how it is they cannot get the best out of the chaps." On 31 August "They gave us a rare march last night in the dark and I arrived back in an awful state of perspiration and almost done. We get no consideration whatever here now and are not allowed to leave the Camp to get a wash even, and then we read in the papers about the Troops cheerfully carrying on." On 11 September "10 men on Pack Drill tonight for various trivial offenses. 'Britons never shall be slaves.'"

Ottoman Army

A welcome decline in the morale of the Ottoman and German forces was demonstrated on 14 July, however, it may have had more to do with the ambitions of Pan–Ottoman elements clashing with German concerns on the Western Front and in Palestine. The Ottomans' focus shifted to occupying the Caucasus, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and northern Persia after Russia exited the war in March. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended the war on the Eastern Front between Russia and the Central Powers, resulted in the evacuation of the Anatolian provinces by Russia and the return of the Trans-Caucasian territory Russia had won during the Russo–Turkish war of 1877–8, to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman army took advantage of the collapse of Imperial Russia, by building on these territorial gains in a series of conquests in the Caucasus, reviving old pan–Ottoman ambitions towards northern Persia. In the first stage, Erzerum was retaken from the Russians on 24 March 1918, followed by Van on 5 April. Later captures included Batum, Kars and Tiflis, which were all former Ottoman possessions and although these victories had a huge emotional appeal they gave little strategic advantage compared with a military success in Palestine.

Deception

PHOTO OHAW 608'Light Horsemen seeking information from a party of Arabs at Khalasa.'

The EEF plan was firstly the capture of the "outlying fortress of Beersheba" and the Ottoman left flank although the enemy expected this attack to be launched against Gaza.

Preparations for the attack on Beersheba were impossible to conceal but the size and extent of them were disguised so the mass of troops were kept opposite Gaza until the last possible moment before rapidly moving across and the elongation of the railway and pipeline across the Wadi Ghazzeh into No-Man's-Land and the accumulation of stores were also left until very close to the attack date. The Intelligence Branch organised the dropping of a staff officer's note–book revealing the failure to address the problems of water and transport needed to support a large force near Beersheba. The regular fortnightly reconnaissance continued to push close to the Beersheba defences, suggested that these demonstrations would continue and when the real attack on Beersheba happened, it would be a surprise. These regular reconnaissances towards Beersheba, begun in May, provided a screen for commanders and staff to get to know the battleground and work out the approach and assault on the defences.

The EEF controlled the coastal sea lanes and rumours were spread by the Intelligence Service about possible sea landings in the rear of Gaza. Ships were seen taking soundings off the coast and a fleet of small boats was located near Deir el Belah. The timing of the assault on Beersheba was also disguised by beginning a systematic bombardment of the Gaza defences a week before the day of the attack, which would gradually escalate and include naval guns, while the force moved towards Beersheba. To add to the confusion, "[i]n the interval after the capture of Beersheba, while the attack on the Turkish left flank was being staged, an assault on a portion of the Gaza defences was to be made by the XXI Corps."

One strategic ruse was to encourage the Ottomans to think a landing on the northern coast of Syria in the Gulf of Iskanderun was to be attempted from Cyprus. On the island the cites of camps were laid out and the garrison created as much activity as they could, bogus messages were sent and inquiries made for the supply of large quantities of rations. Docks and wharves were labelled for the embarkation and disembarkation of troops and stores and reports circulated that a base was to be formed on the island. But this ruse did not have any success. However when an officer with a small escort rode out into No Man's Land on 10 October who appeared to be wounded dropped his field glasses and papers from his haversack the papers were picked up by Ottoman troopers. The papers included faked private papers and a mock agenda for a conference at GHQ indicating the main attack would be carried out against Gaza accompanied by a landing on the coast north of the town with subsidiary operations against Beersheba, with instructions for these attacks. An order signed by the Ottoman XX Corps commander rewarded the finding of these papers and resulted in the Ottoman entrenchments in the east were "immediately decreased" while those to the west were "greatly increased."

An officer of the GHQ staff, accompanied by a small escort, rode out on reconnaissance in an area of no–man's–land where Turkish cavalry patrols were known to operate regularly. He duly ran into one of these patrols, which promptly opened fire. Pretending to be wounded, he rolled about in the saddle as he made off, dropping his field glasses and other articles, and finally a haversack which he had stained with blood from a small cut made in his horse's neck. The haversack contained a notebook in which there were several papers, intimate personal letters from home of a type which one would not willingly lose, a letter from a brother staff officers indicating that the main attack would be made on Gaza and criticizing the obtuseness of GHQ in not attacking the other flank, a copy of a signal to Desert Mounted Corps stating that an officer from GHQ would be going out on reconnaissance in its area on 10 October, and £20 in notes ... Two days later patrols from Desert Mounted Corps combed the area, and an officer threw away the remnants of his lunch wrapped in a copy of a routine order which contained a paragraph stating that a note book had been lost and instructing the finder to return it to GHQ.

Kress von Kressenstein was convinced of the authenticity of the documents in the "lost haversack" organised by Major Richard Meinertzhagen. As a result the Ottoman and German staff officers, believed the logistical capabilities of the EEF were limited to movement to Beersheba of one infantry and one mounted division, and the Ottoman 19th and 24th Infantry Divisions were moved away from Beersheba towards the Gaza end of the line.

In late autumn the command of the air was won by the newly arrived faster Bristol Fighter aircraft and by the launch of the attacks the German aircraft had been "almost driven out of the skies" helping all these attempts at deception.

Allenby ensured he did not waste the advantage of surprise by stinting on concentrating overwhelming force for an attack on the selected objective. Three infantry divisions, with a fourth in reserve, and two mounted divisions attacked Beersheba.

"There is evidence that they [Yildirim Army Group] were fairly accurately informed of the British dispositions." On 28 October, they knew the camps at Khan Yunis and Rafa were empty and accurately placed three infantry divisions east of the Wadi Ghuzzee with a fourth, the 10th (Irish) Division approaching the wadi. In fact, they estimated more cavalry at Asluj and Khalasa, than was actually at those places.

Jordan Valley deception by Chaytor's Force

As the Australian Mounted Division and the 4th and 5th Cavalry Divisions left the valley, at the end of their occupation of the Jordan Valley and in preparation for the coming Megiddo offensive, they moved under cover of darkness to olive groves around Jaffa. The Anzac Mounted Division, the 20th Indian Brigade, the 1st and 2nd Battalions British West Indies Regiment and the 38th, 39th and 40th Royal Fusiliers battalions of Jewish volunteers recruited from England America and the Middle East remained in the valley.

Steps were taken to make the area of occupation appear as if it were still fully garrisoned. These included building a bridge in the valley and infantry were marched into the Jordan Valley by day, driven out by motor lorry at night, and marched back in daylight over and over again. In the vacated regimental lines the tents were left standing and 142 fires were lit each night and dummy horses, with real horse–rugs on and real nose–bags on 15,000 dummy horses' heads were made from canvas and stuffed with straw. Every day mules dragged branches up and down the valley (or the same horses were ridden backwards and forwards all day, as if watering) to keep the dust in thick clouds.

"Nimrin Nelly"

Allenby's staff disseminated a mass of false information and clues, including a grand race meeting on 19 September, one of a number which took place in the coastal plan, which was announced but never took place. And Fast’s Hotel in Jerusalem was suddenly evacuated, sentry boxes placed at its entrances and rumours spread that it was to become Allenby’s advanced headquarters in preparation for a renewal of the Transjordan campaign.

During this time Ottoman aircraft were unable to carry out reliable aerial reconnaissances as the British and Australian aircraft had virtual complete dominance of the skies. Only four of their aircraft succeeded in crossing the lines during the period of concentration, prior to Megiddo as against over 100 during one week in June. However, the long range guns at Shunet Nimrin known as "Nimrin Nelly" and "Jericho Jane" continued to send shrapnel shells 10 miles (16 km) to fall on Jericho and the Jordan Valley garrisons.

Footnotes

References

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Category:Conflicts in 1917 Category:1917 in the Palestinian territories Category:Ottoman Empire in World War I Category:British Empire in World War I Category:German Empire in World War I Category:Middle Eastern theatre of World War I Sinai and Palestine Category:Military campaigns and theatres of World War I involving Australia Category:History of the Royal Air Force during World War I Category:Battles of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign Category:Battles of World War I involving Australia Category:Battles of World War I involving New Zealand Category:Battles of World War I involving the United Kingdom Category:Battles of World War I involving the Ottoman Empire Category:Battles of World War I involving Germany Category:Aerial operations and battles of World War I Category:History of the Royal Air Force during World War I Category:Mustafa Kemal Atatürk