Battle of Nebi Samwil
Battle of Nebi Samwil | |
---|---|
Part of the Nebi Samwil, southern Palestine | |
Result | British Empire victory |
German Empire
Austria-Hungary
The Battle of Nebi Samwil, (17–24 November 1917), was fought during the decisive
The battle was the first attempt by the forces of the British Empire to capture Jerusalem. The village of Nebi Samwil (now spelled Nabi Samwil), also known as the "Tomb of Samuel", was part of the Ottoman defences in front of Jerusalem and its capture was considered vital to the eventual capture of the city. The British attacking force consisted of three divisions, two infantry and one mounted.
The village was captured by the
Background
In November 1917, the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force, commanded by
In preparation for the attack, against Jerusalem, the ANZAC Mounted Division and the
In the way of the 75th Division was the village of
Attack
The attack began on 18 November, with the
Elsewhere the 52nd Division were making some progress but the yeomanry were confronted by a strong position of 3,000 infantry supported by artillery on the Zeitun ridge west of Bireh. During a back and forwards battle the yeomanry did at one stage capture the position, but were forced back again on 21 November.[10]
On the same day, the 75th Division changed the direction of the attack north-east towards Biteh, to meet up with the mounted division. The division was stopped at
The British attack continued on the next day, 22 November, against
Considering the heavy casualties which had been sustained by his command, General Bulfin requested that XX Corps take over the line and by 28 November the relief of the various of XXI Corps positions was completed. In obtaining a footing on some of the most difficult hills on the Judean heights, the efforts of the 52nd and 75th divisions enabled General Allenby to initiate a new plan to capture Jerusalem so they share the honour with the 53rd, 60th (who were already attached to the XX Corps at Latrun) and 75th Divisions, as well the Yeoman Mounted division, which were present at the finish.[12][13]
Aftermath
The British first attempt to take Jerusalem, stalled for the lack of artillery support, the need for fresh troops and not least the weather condition and the strong Ottoman defence.[14]
In the lull before their next attack the British used the opportunity to improve the roads and tracks in the area, in order to bring forward their heavy artillery and ammunition, water and other supplies. Allenby also decided to relieve XXI Corps with XX Corps which had had a quieter time on the coastal plain.[15]
The Ottoman Army, however, did not sit back and conducted several attacks against the British forces at the end of November and beginning of December using tactics similar to those that would be used by the Germans in their Spring Offensive on the Western Front in March 1918. British reinforcement arrived which stemmed the Ottoman assault and they went over to the attack themselves on 7 December.[15] The Ottoman force left Jerusalem over the night of 8/9 December and the civic authorities handed over the city to the British.[16]
For their part in the battle the 75th Division divisional insignia became a key, representing that the battle was the key to the capture of Jerusalem.[7] In recognition for their part in the battle, the British Empire regiments involved were awarded the battle honour Nebi Samwil.[17]
References
- ^ Bruce, p.151
- ^ Bruce, pp.151–152
- ^ Bruce, pp.152–153
- ^ Bruce, p.155
- ^ a b Bruce, pp.155–156
- ^ "Nebi Samwil – Site of a Biblical Town and a Crusader Fortress". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ a b Chappell, p.42
- ^ Bruce, p. 156
- ^ Bruce, pp.156–157
- ^ a b c Bruce, p.157
- ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Nebi Samwil, 18–24 November 1917". History of War. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ historion.net • History Online • How Jerusalem Was Won – Being the Record of Allenby's Campaign in Palestine • CHAPTER XIII. INTO THE JUDEAN HILLS
- ^ The Advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force-July 1917 to October 1918, Compiled from official Sources, 'Brief record of service' page 42
- ^ Bruce, p.158
- ^ a b Bruce, p.159
- ^ Bruce, pp.162–163
- ^ "Battle Honours". The Keep Military Museum. Retrieved 17 February 2012.[permanent dead link]
Bibliography
- Bruce, Anthony (11 December 2023). The Last Crusade, the Palestine Campaign in the First World War. London: John Murray. ISBN 978-0-7195-5432-2.
- Chappell, Mike (2005). The British Army in World War I (3): The Eastern Fronts. Vol. 3 of The British Army in World War I. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-401-6.