"Bombardment and U-Boat action off Gaza – November 1917" Topic

"November 1917 saw the key battles that allowed British and Australian forces to break through from the Sinai Peninsula and into Palestine. Turkish and German defences extended from the Mediterranean at Gaza to Beersheba, some 35 miles inland in the desert. Earlier efforts, in March and April 1917, had proved incapable of breaching defence lines that were to become even stronger thereafter. High casualties were suffered by the Allied forces in these assaults – some units sustaining up to 50% loss levels. Not until October 1917, under a new British commander, General Edmund Allenby, with reinforcements that included deployment of tanks for the first time outside Europe, was a sufficient force available to achieve the necessary victory and drive back the Turkish and German defenders. The subsequent British and Australian advance – which involved inspired use of aircraft and horsed-cavalry – led to capture of Jerusalem on 9th December. This achievement was hailed by Prime Minister Lloyd George as "A Christmas present for the British people"…."

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Amicalement
Armand

Interesting read. Thank you.

A votre service mon ami!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand