Fighting For Nablus

In 1918:

On 9 March 1918, the British launched another offensive towards Nablus. Three days of intense fighting was followed by a short period of silence and on 21 March, the British launched a new attack breaking through the Jordan River (also known as River of Şeria in Turkish) line in 5 days.

By 28 March, British forces were already at the outskirts of the city of Amman. However they had huge problems with transportation. The roads were all damaged and slippery because of the heavy rainfall. It was hardly possible to move the artillery guns under such conditions.

Meanwhile the city was defended by the 48th Division, which resisted well. Facing strong resistance, experiencing logistic problems and suffering from a Turkish counterattack, Allenby decided to withdraw on 31 March. It has to be noted, that during this phase of the war, and also later phases of the Palestinian campaign, German officers and troops fought with great dedication along with their Turkish comrades.

On 30 April, the British stroke struck back, but this time the Turks were reinforced with the 24th Division, commanded by German Colonel Boehme, and the 3rd Cavalry Division, commanded by Colonel Esat Bey. Turkish counterattacks between 2 and 4 May brought the British offensive to a quick termination.

As of mid-1918, the Yıldırım Army Group disposed 40,598 men, 19,819 rifles, 273 light and 696 heavy machine guns. Allenby had 56,000 men, 11,000 cavalry and 552 artillery pieces.

Battle of Nablus

On the morning of 19 September, at 5:50 AM, General Allenby launched a major offensive, which started with heavy artillery fire pounding the units of the Eighth Army. Within only one hour the British had broken through the Turkish defenses. The 7th Division and two regiments from the 20th Division collapsed without even having contact with the British infantry. By 10 am two British cavalry divisions were riding towards the Turkish rear. By 20 September, the British cavalry captured Nazareth. The XXII Corps was destroyed.

Mustafa Kemal Paşa had returned to his post as the commander of the Seventh Army on 1 September. His forces retired towards the River of Jordan. Between 21-23 September, the III Corps fought a gallant rear guard action from Tubas to the river, buying enough time for the retreating Turkish troops.

The great coastal cities of Haifa and Accra fell by 25 September. So did Megiddo. This was a huge success for the British cavalry. Two days later, Allenby’s forces entered Syria and the Battle of Nablus was over.

Why did the Turkish forces melt away so quickly? Erickson gives three explanations: (a) The terrain was favourable for the attackers, (b) there was scope at the operational level for Allenby to shift corps-sized formations around the battlefield for deception and concentration, (c) the British Army had made mighty improvements in its tactical techniques at the lower battlefield level in 1917 and 1918.

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