31 ottob 1917 anni - Battle of Beersheba

Descrizione:

The Battle of Beersheba, fought on October 31, 1917, was a significant engagement during World War I, marking the beginning of the British Empire's Southern Palestine Offensive against the Ottoman Empire. This battle was part of the broader Sinai and Palestine campaign.

The British Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), under the command of General Edmund Allenby, launched the attack. The battle featured a series of coordinated maneuvers involving infantry, mounted troops, and artillery. Key elements included the infantry attacks by the 60th (London) Division and the 74th (Yeomanry) Division of the XX Corps from the southwest, which commenced in the early morning. These were followed by the pivotal mounted charge in the late afternoon by the Anzac Mounted Division and the Australian Mounted Division, notably the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments, which charged with bayonets as their primary weapons.

The defenders, commanded by German general Friedrich Kress von Kressenstein, were part of the Ottoman Yildirim Army Group and had strengthened their positions following previous battles at Gaza. Despite their efforts, the swift and aggressive tactics of the EEF resulted in the capture of Beersheba by day's end. This victory was crucial as it enabled the British forces to break the Ottoman defensive line extending from Gaza to Beersheba, thereby setting the stage for a continued advance towards Jerusalem.

Strategically, the capture of Beersheba opened the way for the British forces to outflank the stronger Ottoman positions at Gaza, which were part of the same defensive line, and facilitated the eventual British push towards Jerusalem, contributing significantly to the overall success of the campaign in Southern Palestine.

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