100 Years Ago

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/stand-by-unfix-bayonets-l0m8tjhhx

NOVEMBER 12, 1918

Stand by. Unfix bayonets

The British Army began its first battle of the war at Mons on August 22, 1914, and, by the grace of God, our troops stood in this same spot when the order came to cease fire. That the enemy had made up his mind that the end had come, our troops yesterday had ample evidence. On most of the front they marched and rode almost as they pleased. The news of the armistice was got forward to our far-flung patrols and batteries with great promptitude, and a great silence fell upon the land after 11 o’clock. There can be no harm now in saying that the message had been expected, and there had been ample time to signal the news beyond the points where telegraph and telephone cease. Our scattered troops were told to unfix bayonets and unload magazines and to stand to for further orders. No attempt was to be made to fraternize with the enemy. I believe there was some demonstrativeness on the German side, and I hear of German troops seen trying to break their rifles or throw them away. But, on the whole, the great tidings appear to have been taken pretty quietly. Amongst the troops in rest there was more jubilation. At headquarters close to the line parades had been arranged of all available troops as soon as the news was received, and at 11 o’clock the bugles sounded the “Cease fire” and the bands played the “Marseillaise” and “God Save the King”. Many then broke out into “Tipperary”, which the peasantry seem to imagine is our National Anthem, to judge by the respect with which they hearkened to the strains.

Shortly after 11 o’clock the roads presented an extraordinary scene. Refugees began to stream back in swarms. The Germans are manifestly anxious to show their good faith, for very shortly after the armistice dispatch riders were bringing into Corps Headquarters full details of the positions of all mines, booby traps, and leads, which had been sent over under the white flag by enemy commands.

The day is grey and drizzling, which does not conduce to outdoor demonstrations on the part of people who have suffered much, and many of whom cannot yet tell how many of their dear ones have fallen in the terrible struggle. Silent thankfulness is the prevailing sentiment today in the war area of Northern France.

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.

100 Years Ago - Palestine

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-censure-division-bv9vkdbk2

may 10, 1918

The censure division

The Prime Minister defended himself so successfully against General Maurice’s charges today that the House of Commons rejected Mr Asquith’s motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate the matter by 293 votes to 106 — a Government majority of 187. Extraordinary interest was taken in the debate. There was a big crowd outside the House, and the Chamber was crowded from end to end.
Mr Asquith’s speech was not one of his best efforts. He did not seem sure of his ground, and never recovered from a bad start. He devoted the greater part of his speech to a laboured argument directed to the need of an inquiry into General Maurice’s charges.
The Prime Minister quickly got into his stride. Facing the issues raised by General Maurice, he declared that he had been treated unfairly. While he was in daily contact with General Maurice, whom he regarded as a great friend, he had never challenged the statements in his letter. He now proposed to give the facts in public with a detailed examination of General Maurice’s charges. On the fighting strength of the British forces in France on January 1, 1918, he explained that the figures he gave were taken from the official records of the War Office. Next, he had been charged with misleading the public as to the comparative strength of the Allied and enemy forces when the offensive began. He pointed out that the figures on which he had based that statement came from General Maurice. He mentioned that General Maurice, although in the building at Versailles, was not in the Council Chamber when the question of extending the front of General Gough’s Army was discussed. Finally, speaking with great earnestness and carrying the House with him, he pointed the moral of the Maurice incident. He insisted that the letter was a flagrant breach of discipline, and respectfully suggested that Mr Asquith ought to have deprecated it.

He warned the House that the Germans were silently preparing perhaps the biggest blow of the war. With the fate of the country in the balance, he demanded an end of “this sniping”. It was a great Parliamentary effort, and a large section of the House clearly felt that there was nothing more to be said.