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.
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.
The Second Battle of Gaza three weeks after the First Battle, was an even bigger disaster – a frontal attack by British infantry divisions resulted in their suffering some 6000 casualties.
The French designed Hotchkiss M1909 light machine gun was used by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade from March 1917 through to the end of the First World War.