The Battle for Palestine 1917

Three battles for the control of the key fortress-city of Gaza took place in 1917 between the `British' force [with units from across the Empire most notably the ANZACs] and the Turks. The Allies were repulsed twice but on their third attempt under the newly-appointed General Allenby a veteran of the Western Front where he was a vocal critic of Haig's command finally penetrated Turkish lines captured southern Palestine and as instructed by Lloyd George took Jerusalem in time for Christmas ending 400 years of Ottoman occupation. This third battle similar in many ways to the contemporaneous fighting in France is at the heart of this account with consideration of intelligence espionage air-warfare and diplomatic and political elements not to mention the logistical and medical aspects of the campaign particularly water. The generally overlooked Turkish defence in the face of vastly superior numbers is also assessed. Far from laying out and executing a pre-ordained plan Allenby who is probably still best remembered as T. E. Lawrence's commanding officer in Arabia was flexible and adaptable responding to developments as they occurred. JOHN D. GRAINGER is the author of numerous books on military history ranging from the Roman period to the twentieth century.