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.

Йорданський військовий музей в Аммані