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Occupation of the Jordan Valley

Occupation of the Jordan Valley
Part of the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I
Soldiers gathered round stacks of crates partly covered with a tarpaulin where food is being sold
Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Canteen in the Jordan Valley
Date February to September 1918
Location South western section of the Jordan Valley between the Dead Sea and the Wadi Auja
Result British Empire endured
Belligerents

 British Empire

  •  Great Britain
  •  British India
 Ottoman Empire
 German Empire
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom Edmund Allenby
Australia Harry Chauvel
German Empire Otto Liman von Sanders
Ottoman Empire Mohammed Jemal Pasha
Units involved
Desert Mounted Corps Fourth Army

 British Empire

The occupation of the Jordan Valley by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) began in February 1918 during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. After the Capture of Jericho in February the Auckland Mounted Rifle Regiment began patrolling an area of the Jordan Valley near Jericho at the base of the road from Jerusalem. Towards the end of March the First Transjordan attack on Amman and the First Battle of Amman were launched from the Jordan Valley followed a few weeks later by the equally unsuccessful Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt at the end of April. During this time the occupation of the Jordan was fully established and continued through the summer of 1918. The occupation ended in September with the Battle of Megiddo which consisted of the Battle of Sharon and the Battle of Nablus. The Third Transjordan attack and Second Battle of Amman were fought as part of the Battle of Nablus.

Despite the difficult climate and the unhealthy environment of the Jordan Valley, General Edmund Allenby decided that, to ensure the strength of the EEF's front line it was necessary to extend the line which stretched from the Mediterranean, across the Judean Hills to the Dead Sea to protect his right flank. This line was held until September, providing a strong position from which to launch the attacks on Amman to the east and northwards to Damascus.


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Wikipedia

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