sep 25, 1918 - Battle of Megiddo

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The Battle of Megiddo, fought from September 19 to 25, 1918, was the final major offensive in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. Despite its name, little fighting occurred near Tel Megiddo; the battle unfolded across the Plain of Sharon, the Judean Hills, and the Esdralon Plain, covering areas from Nazareth to Samakh. British commander Edmund Allenby selected the name for its biblical significance.

The clash involved the Allied Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the Ottoman Yildirim Army Group, culminating in significant Ottoman defeats across multiple fronts. Allied forces, benefiting from the distractions provided by the Arab Revolt, executed a successful breakthrough near the coast followed by a rapid advance that encircled the Ottoman Seventh and Eighth armies. Subsequent battles led to the capture of strategic locations, including Damascus, and tens of thousands of prisoners.

General Allenby's strategy showcased effective modern warfare tactics, involving set-piece attacks and mobile units, which contributed to a decisive victory with relatively low Allied casualties. The battle significantly undermined Ottoman military strength in the region and was instrumental in leading to the capitulation of Ottoman forces under the Armistice of Mudros.

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