WWI - Jerusalem to Damascus

From Jerusalem to Damascus

This week's chapter examines operations from December 1917 to October 1918, freeing Joppa from pressure, fine work of Scottish troops, enemy attempt to retake Jerusalem, capture of Jericho, heavy fighting on Shechem road front, British officers with the Arabs, the Emir Faisal's Dead Sea campaign, crossing the Jordan, raid on Amman, in praise of the Londoners, the Es Salt raid, reorganisation of the force, Turco-German attack astride the Jordan the Autumn offensive, march of the Arabs from Akaba, defeat of the Turks west of the Jordan, British and Arabs join hands, Turkish army east of Jordan surrenders, enemy rout complete, fall of Damascus, the Emir Faisal's entry into the city, arab claims.

The summer is not in Palestine the ideal campaigning season, especially in the deep gorge of the Jordan, where the heat is excessive, and dust, flies, malaria, and snakes are common plagues

Read the full story

 

The capture of Jerusalem

Today General Allenby makes his entry into the city, and his entry means that the yoke of the Turk is broken forever

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-capture-of-jerusalem-br6xl8wc0?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter_118&utm_medium=email&utm_content=118_16.05.2018%20Jerusalem%20(1)&CMP=TNLEmail_118918_3352346_118 december 11, 1917 The Capture of Jerusalem The deliverance of Jerusalem, though its influence on the war may be relatively remote, must remain for all time a memorable event in the history of Christendom. Wherever the Gospel has been preached it has been in all ages the most sacred spot upon earth to countless millions. There the Divine Author of their faith taught the great truths which are the wellspring of all that is holiest, and there He suffered and died. For well-nigh 13 centuries it has remained, with relatively brief intervals, in Musulman hands, and for 400 years Turkish Sultans have been its lords. To Moslem, too, it is a holy place, though the tradition of its sanctity is no longer a living force among them in India and in the outer world. For the Jews, whatever may be the land of their exile, its memories are imperishable. To them it has always remained their providential home and the earthly centre of their ancient religion. To-day General Allenby makes his entry into the city, and his entry means that the yoke of the Turk is broken for ever. The Sultan will dominate the Holy Places no more; the scattered Jews will have a prospect of returning as a free people to their national home, and a new order will be established, founded upon the ideals of righteousness and of justice. Whilst the Germans have wantonly destroyed the noblest of Christian churches on the false plea of military necessity, the British General has delayed his operations to save the sacred places in and about Jerusalem from accidental hurt. That is a warrant of the care which will certainly be taken to safeguard the rights and to respect the susceptibilities of every faith. The great Mosque of Omar and the other sites most intimately associated with the traditions of Islam will, doubtless, be safeguarded and left in Moslem keeping, and the priests and ministers of all communions who are not alien enemies may confidently rely upon the countenance of the conquerors. The fall of Jerusalem, whatever its military importance, marks the latest stage in a brilliant campaign. It is a sign that the tyranny of the Turk is doomed and that the dawn of a new freedom is rising over his dominions. To all whom he oppresses — Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, Jews and Syrians — it is an augury of deliverance.

 

The British in Jerusalem

The British Military Governor has organized the supervision of the Christian Holy Places, and is keeping in touch with the representatives of the Latin and Greek Churches

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-british-in-jerusalem-xv2tdldfk?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter_118&utm_medium=email&utm_content=118_16.05.2018%20Jerusalem%20(1)&CMP=TNLEmail_118918_3352346_118 december 13, 1917 The British in Jerusalem The dispatch from General Allenby which was read yesterday by the Prime Minister to the House of Commons is an earnest of the spirit in which the British occupation of Jerusalem and the control of the Holy Places will be organized. The British Commander made his entry accompanied by the Commanders of the French and Italian detachments and the Military Attachés of France, Italy, and the United States. Unlike the bombastic and spectacular entry of the German Emperor — who, though in reality a Cook’s tourist, rode into the city in the theatrical guise of a conqueror, and proceeded to preach a political sermon in a German church — General Allenby and his companions were on foot, and made no effort to impress spectators. No effort was needed. The measures taken spoke and will speak for themselves. The British Military Governor has organized the supervision of the Christian Holy Places, and is keeping in touch with the representatives of the Latin and Greek Churches. Around the Mosque of Omar has been placed a military cordon composed of Indian Musulman officers and soldiers, and the area within the cordon is under Moslem control. No non-Moslem can pass this cordon without joint permission from the Military Governor and the Moslem in charge of the Mosque. At Bethlehem and on Rachel’s Tomb guardians have been appointed, while the hereditary custodians of the Moslem Pious Foundations at the gates of the Holy Sepulchre have been requested to continue their duties in remembrance of the magnanimous act of the Khalif Omar, who, on taking Jerusalem, respected and protected the special sanctity of the supreme Christian shrine. News travels fast in the East, and we imagine that the tidings of the just and tolerant spirit that has informed the British Commander’s dispositions will quickly spread through every community. Equally happy are the words of the proclamation addressed by General Allenby to the inhabitants. It announces the maintenance and protection, “according to the existing customs and beliefs” of every sacred building, monument, holy spot, shrine, traditional site, endowment, pious bequest, or customary place of prayer, of the “adherents of three of the great religions of mankind”.

 

Allenby's new success

During the night and the following day the northward advance of our troops astride the Jerusalem-Nablus road was continued through precipitous and difficult country and in the face of obstinate resistance https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/allenbys-new-success-7m50f9n3q?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter_118&utm_medium=email&utm_content=118_16.05.2018%20Jerusalem%20(1)&CMP=TNLEmail_118918_3352346_118 march 12, 1918 Allenby’s new success The War Office issued the following announcement last night concerning the operations in Palestine: During the night of March 9 and the following day the northward advance of our troops astride the Jerusalem-Nablus [Shechem] road was continued through precipitous and difficult country and in the face of obstinate resistance, the enemy employing numerous machine-guns from concealed positions. Progress was made to a depth of about 3,000 yards on a front of 12 miles, the high ridges overlooking the north bank of the Wadi el Jib (west of the road) being secured, and three counter-attacks launched against the important section of these ridges between Sheikh Saleh and Burj el Lisaneh (east of the road) being repulsed. Further east our new line north of the Wadi Auja (Jordan Valley) has been consolidated. Throughout March 10 our aeroplanes co-operated by engaging enemy troops and transport with machine-gun fire and bombs at various points on the Nablus road. Operations continue. In the communique published yesterday, it was announced that the British had captured, east of the Shechem road, Selwad, Tel Asur, and Kefr Malik, places on the crest of the main ridge between Jerusalem and Shechem. West of the road the British line had also been swung forward. The direct route north, the scene of Saturday night’s and Sunday’s fighting, is by a very rocky descent from the hill-crest, and is notoriously the most difficult part of the whole road between Jerusalem and Shechem. It abounds in facilities for ambushes. At the foot of the descent lies the Wadi el Haramiyeh — the Robber’s Valley. This is shut in by steep hills, partly clothed with olive trees, and is traversed by a torrent-bed leading to the Robber’s Spring. From this point onward the country becomes more fertile and attractive. It leads in a mile or two to Seilun, the ancient Shiloh, the spot where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant stood in the time of the Judges. The Burj el Lisaneh (the Tower of the Tongue) is a ruined building of the 12th century on the top of a high hill overlooking the Robber’s Valley. Here in ordinary times a garrison was maintained to defend the pass from brigands. The British forces are now about 12 miles from Shechem.