THE HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT - PALESTINE

During 1917 the Egypt Expeditionary Force (EEF) fought three battles against the Ottoman Turks as part of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. The strategic objective was to preserve the security of Egypt, India and the Persian Gulf by seizing the south of Palestine and then capturing Jerusalem. In the first battle, on 26 March 1917, EEF infantry and mounted infantry attacked the town of Gaza on the Mediterranean coast. These forces were on the verge of capturing the town when they were withdrawn because of concerns about the approaching darkness and large Turkish reinforcements. This British defeat was followed by an even more emphatic reversal at the Second Battle of Gaza. 

The stalemate in Palestine continued in terrible conditions through the summer. On 27 October EEF artillery began a heavy and continuous bombardment of Gaza. The Third Battle of Gaza began on the night of 1-2 November with infantry attacks on the town. Although these initial assaults were only partially successful, an intensification of the bombardment and further night attacks on 6-7 finally broke Ottoman resistance. With the collapse of Turkish positions on the Gaza to Beersheba line, the EEF pursued the enemy north towards Jerusalem which was eventually captured on 9 December 1917.

8TH BATTALION AND THE FIRST BATTLE OF GAZA

The 8th Hampshire reached the Egyptian coast, on 25 February 1917. On 20 March they moved to In Serat, arriving five days later. During the First Battle of Gaza, 8th Hampshire took post at the Sheikh Abbas ridge. 

8TH BATTALION AND THE SECOND BATTLE OF GAZA

During the three weeks between the first and second Gaza battles, the Ottomans – with German guidance – considerably strengthened their defences. On 17 April, the 8th Hampshires advanced suffering only two casualties. However, phase two of the attack, which opened two days later, proved to be a disaster. With 2,500 yards of open ground to cross, the troops were severely exposed and suffered heavy causalities. Even so, the Norfolks and Hampshires did capture a redoubt with the support of a tank. The Hampshires lost 23 officers and more than 400 other ranks. 

After the battle the battalion was withdrawn from the line and moved to south of Sheikh Abbas. On 2 June reinforcements arrived in the shape of four officers and 270 men of the 2/5th Hampshire and a fortnight later the battalion transferred again to the trenches nearest the Mediterranean coast. They then moved to Deir-el-Belah, the depot for the EEF force surrounding Gaza, where they were joined by the 2/4th Battalion on 16 August. 

During the three weeks between the first and second Gaza battles, the Ottomans – with German guidance – considerably strengthened their defences. On 17 April, the 8th Hampshires advanced suffering only two casualties. However, phase two of the attack, which opened two days later, proved to be a disaster. With 2,500 yards of open ground to cross, the troops were severely exposed and suffered heavy causalities. Even so, the Norfolks and Hampshires did capture a redoubt with the support of a tank. The Hampshires lost 23 officers and more than 400 other ranks. 

8TH BATTALION AND THE THIRD BATTLE OF GAZA

The 8th Hampshire went into action on the night of 1-2 November 1917. The advance began at 3am, the 8th Hampshire objectives being Burj Trench and Redoubt. The Hampshires remained in position until 5 November, consolidating and improving communications. The same day the battalion shifted to the left, taking over Rafa Redoubt and Zowaid Trench from the 162nd Brigade which then resumed the assault on Gaza. This attack met no resistance, the Turks having evacuated the town and 8th Hampshire were withdrawn into reserve. 

2/4TH, 2/5TH AND 8TH BATTALIONS IN PALESTINE, 1917-18

Two other Hampshire battalions – the 2/4th and 2/5th – also featured in General Allenby’s Gaza Campaign and the advance to Jerusalem. Following the Turkish evacuation of Gaza both battalions took up position north of the town. On 9th November 232nd Brigade, including both Hampshire battalions, began to advance northeastwards towards Junction Station, where the railways from Jerusalem and Beersheba met. The aim was to split the Turkish forces in two. The attack on Junction Station began on 13 November and it was eventually captured, along with a great haul of rolling stock and supplies early the following day. 

Allenby now turned his attention to. The advance along the main road from Junction Station to Jerusalem was dogged by supply problems, bad weather and rugged terrain. The 2/5th took part in operations to dislodge Turks from the high ground either side of the road, while the 2/4th – who had been trained in mountain warfare while in India – played key roles in the capture of Saris, Qaryat El Enab and the strategically important hill of Nebi Samwil. The latter position was fiercely contested by the Turks and the 2/4th, already well below strength, lost another two officers and 24 men killed or missing and more than 80 wounded. 

By the time 2/4th went into reserve on 25 November it had suffered 160 casualties. The 2/5th had lost just over 100 men of all ranks, including one officer and 23 men killed or missing. Both battalions were in urgent need of rest and refitting. 

After being issued with warm clothing, the 2/4th were lent to 54th Division and joined 8th Hampshire on the left of the British line around Lydda and Ramleh. The battalion took over a ridge at Sheikh El Gharwahi where they came under heavy attack on the night of 30th November – 1st December. When relieved by the 2/5th – fresh from ten days’ rest – on 9th December, the battalion had only 160 fit men. 

Following the capture of Jerusalem, the remainder of the year saw the Hampshire battalions involved in operations on the coastal plain aimed at pushing back the Turks from Jaffa. The capture of this port enabled British forces to be resupplied from the sea but it was important that it remained outside of the range of Turkish guns. At the end of December 1917 the Turks launched a major counter-attack north of Jerusalem. This was repulsed with crippling losses, ushering in a period of deadlock in Palestine. 

The 2/4th and 2/5th both took part in the attack at Berukin in April 1918, which had to be called off due to the critical situation on the Western Front. At the end of May the 2/4th left Palestine for Egypt where the men underwent three weeks of training before embarking for France on 22 May. The 2/5th was earmarked for reduction under the British Army’s reorganisation of 1918, though it was not finally broken up until August. 

The 8th was the only Hampshire battalion to see the Palestine campaign through to its triumphant conclusion. On 18th September the battalion joined the successful attack against much weakened and demoralised Turkish troops. This marked the start of the collapse of Turkish forces. The battalion was in camp near Beirut when, on 11st November, the armistice with Germany brought an end to hostilities in Europe.