Battle of Beersheba (1917)

Battle of Beersheba

Beersheba in 1917

Date	31 October 1917
Location	Beersheba, Ottoman Syria
Result	Egyptian Expeditionary Force victory

Belligerents

Commanders and leaders

Units involved

Strength

47,500 rifles, 15,000 troopers

4,400 rifles, 60 machine guns, 28 field guns

Casualties and losses

171 killed in action

~ 1,000 killed or wounded
1,947 prisoners

The Battle of Beersheba (Turkish: Birüssebi Muharebesi, German: Schlacht von Birüssebi), was fought on 31 October 1917, when the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) attacked and captured the Yildirim Army Group garrison at Beersheba, beginning the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine campaign of World War I. After successful limited attacks in the morning, by infantry from the 60th (London) and the 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions of the XX Corps from the south-west, the Anzac Mounted Division (Desert Mounted Corps) launched a series of attacks. These attacks, against the strong defences which dominated the eastern side of Beersheba, eventually resulted in their capture during the late afternoon. Shortly afterwards, the Australian Mounted Division's 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments (4th Light Horse Brigade) conducted a mounted infantry charge with bayonets in their hands, their only weapon for mounted attack, as their rifles were slung across their backs. While part of the two regiments dismounted to attack entrenchments on Tel es Saba defending Beersheba, the remainder of the light horsemen continued their charge into the town, capturing the place and part of the garrison as it was withdrawing.