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The British government, encouraged by the success of the Sinai Campaign, urged its Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) to continue the fight against the Ottoman Empire by invading Palestine. The 1800 men of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade (NZMR) served in the EEF during what became known as the Palestine Campaign.
The transfer of many experienced units to the Western Front to counter a massive German offensive in late March meant that the EEF was unable to undertake any significant action in Palestine for the next six months. During this time the NZMR Brigade was stationed in the Jordan Valley, helping to protect the EEF’s right flank. In late March the Brigade took part in an unsuccessful raid on El Salt and Amman. This, and a second failed raid on Es Salt in April, are indicated by the broken red arrows.
With reinforcements from the Indian Army, the EEF was able to launch a major assault against the Ottomans in the Battle of Megiddo in September-October 1918 (indicated by the red arrow labelled 4). With the Ottoman armies defeated and in retreat, the Anzac Mounted Division crossed the River Jordan and captured Amman (indicated by the red arrow labelled 5). This offensive was aided by an Arab rebel army, which sabotaged the Hejaz Railway and advanced into Syria in September-October 1918. Following the Battle of Megiddo, Palestine, Jordan and southern Syria were rapidly conquered by the EEF and its allies, effectively bringing to an end the war in the Middle East.
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First World War in maps
Palestine campaign
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