Desert Anzacs: the under-told story of the Sinai Palestine campaign, 1916-1918

by Neil Dearberg

Overview

For 100 years, the astounding story of Anzac horsemen, cameleers, aviators, rough riders, medics, vets, light and armoured cars hasn’t been told. Until now.

Championed by Australia’s Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel they overcame early feeble British political and military incompetence. Fast, open conflict, rather than septic trenches, suited their outback upbringing. Part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, they recovered the Holy Land after 730 years of Muslim control, even saving Lawrence of Arabia and his cause. Their stunning victory at the Battle of Beersheba was the last mass mounted charge of modern times. The ‘great ride’ offensive of the Desert Mounted Corps, with 30,000 horsemen, destroyed the Ottoman Empire and wreaked vengeance for Gallipoli.

This is the first detailed account of the extraordinary military campaign that set the stage for today’s Middle East. Dearberg’s Anzac trilogy on World War I is now complete – Gallipoli, France, Palestine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781925231625
Publisher:	Glass House Books
Publication date:	11/13/2017
Pages:	322
Sales rank:	729,450
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Neil Dearberg was an Army officer for 15 years and principal of a financial planning practice for 23 years before taking up conflict archaeology, military history research and photography. He attended four field projects with the Great Arab Revolt Project of the Bristol University UK and three field trips to assist an American PhD candidate. Focusing on the Sinai Palestine campaign, he has had over a dozen articles published in Australia, Jordan, UK and USA. He has given lectures in Australia for the Australian History Association and Jordan for the Australian Embassy and American Centre for Oriental Research. He has been invited to give a presentation to the 2018 T.E. Lawrence Society conference in Oxford, UK. He was Head of Research for a three-part documentary on the Arab Revolt in Jordan and member of a research team for the Petrie Museum (University College of London) on war in the Middle East 1915-1918. USAID contracted Neil to conduct a project for the establishment of an Arab Revolt museum in Aqaba. Neil has three sons, one daughter and four grandchildren. Still competing in international and national masters surf lifesaving competitions, he also holds a pilot's licence and has been a scuba diving instructor for over 30 years. This is Neil's first book, written through the analytical and explanatory eyes of a military officer to better describe events yet with the ability to speak plainly after more than 20 years interpreting wealth accumulation and preservation matters to clients. He lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note vii

Acknowledgements ix

Abbreviations and Terms xi

Introduction 1

Part One: From Home and into Sinai 7

1: Lose Suez…Lose the War 9

2: Desert Commander, Harry Chauvel 14

3: Getting to War 17

4: The Good, the Bad and the Arabs 29

5: The Anzac Journey 41

6: A New Chapter to the Anzac Legend 54

7: The Anzac Warriors 69

Part Two: Sinai to Gaza 83

8: Survival in Sinai 85

9: The Arab Revolt 92

10: Battle of Romani 100

11: Gaza: Two Tales of a City 137

12: The Arabs Have Aqaba 156

Part Three: A New Commander-In-Chief: General Allenby, June 1917 - October 1918 169

13: Gaza in Allenby’s Sights 171

14: The Battle of Beersheba Opens Gaza 179

15: Gaza into Palestine 190

16: ‘Raids’ Across the Jordan 211

Part Four: Armaggedon 229

17: Who Wants Palestine? 231

18: Crush the Enemy 246

19: Plan, Prepare, Deceive 261

20: Let the Fight Begin 269

21: Their War is Over 291

Epilogue 295

Bibliography 303

Editorial Reviews

It was a pleasure to read a well researched and interesting story on the experiences of the Anzacs in the Middle East during WWI. It is good to see a focus on individual soldiers as opposed to the war in general.

Recommended to anyone who wants a good understanding of the trials and tribulations endured by Anzac soldiers 1916-1918.

– John Meyers, President, Military Historical Society of Australia

One hundred years on we can honor those from Australia and New Zealand whose stories are captured by Dearberg with the intent of providing the soldiers’ perspective. He offers insights into the course of the campaigns in the Sinai, Gaza, Palestine, and Transjordan during WWI and includes many unforgettable details.

– Barbara A. Porter, Director, American Center Of Oriental Research (ACOR), Amman, Jordan

From the Publisher