THE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA
Date: 31st October 1917
The battle of Beersheba was fought on the 31st of October 1917 when the Egyptian Expeditionary force attacked and captured the Yildirim Army Group garrison at Beersheba, beginning the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War 1. After successful limited attacks in the morning, by infantry from the 60th and the 74th divisions of the XX Corps from the South West, the ANZAC Mounted Division launched a series of attacks.
Australia's Involvement: The ANZAC soldiers fought in a series of attacks during the battle of Beersheba. These attacks, against very strong defenders dominated the eastern side of Beersheba, eventually resulting in their capture.
The battle of Beersheba was fought on the 31st of October 1917 when the Egyptian Expeditionary force attacked and captured the Yildirim Army Group garrison at Beersheba, beginning the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War 1. After successful limited attacks in the morning, by infantry from the 60th and the 74th divisions of the XX Corps from the South West, the ANZAC Mounted Division launched a series of attacks.
Australia's Involvement: The ANZAC soldiers fought in a series of attacks during the battle of Beersheba. These attacks, against very strong defenders dominated the eastern side of Beersheba, eventually resulting in their capture.
- The Australians suffered over 70 casualties
- Beersheba, a heavily fortified town 43 km from the Turkish bastion of Gaza, was the scene of an historic charge by the 4th Light Horse Brigade
- After two failed attempts to attack Gaza frontally it was decided to outflank it by turning the Turkish line around Beersheba
- The battle was part of the wider British offensive collectively known as the third Battle of Gaza
- The final phase of this all day battle was the famous mounted charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade