Pages tagged with: camel corps

The British invasion of Ottoman-held Palestine in 1917-18 was the third - and last - campaign launched by the Allies against the Ottoman Turks in the Middle East during the First World War.

The Imperial Camel Corps, which included two New Zealand companies, played a vital role in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns during the First World War. Between 400 and 450 New Zealanders fought in the Corps, and 41 died before the two New Zealand companies were disbanded in mid-1918.

Victory in Sinai led to pressure from the British government, led by new Prime Minister Lloyd George, to invade Ottoman-controlled Palestine in 1917.

The commander of Eastern Force mistakenly thought that the Egyptian Expeditionary Force could capture Gaza in March 1917 by using essentially the same tactics as those employed at Rafa and Magdhaba during the Sinai campaign.

By mid-December 1916 the Egyptian Expeditionary Force had advanced across the Sinai to within sight of the original objective of the campaign, the town of El Arish.

British 18 pounder Mark II field guns fire on Turkish redoubts during the Battle of Rafa, December 1916.

An Australian trooper of the Imperial Camel Corps, August 1916.

Camel, Abassia, full marching order by George Lambert, 1918.

Arab cameliers of the Ottoman Army in the First World War.

Group of New Zealand Mounted Rifles troopers in Palestine, circa 1916-1918.

Trooper Harry Corbett prepares to mount his camel.

Second Lieutenant Victor Emiel Adolph with his camel. Adolph was a section commander in No 16 (New Zealand) Company, Imperial Camel Corps.

Men from No 15 (New Zealand) Company, Imperial Camel Corps, survey the damage after the 3rd Camel Battalion's camp at Sheikh Nuran was bombed by Turkish aircraft, Palestine, June 1917.

Camel Corps Christmas card, circa 1917.

One of the New Zealand companies, Imperial Camel Corps, moves out across the Sinai desert.