Key Facts
- Dates
- 6–7 November 1917
- Campaign
- Sinai and Palestine Campaign, Southern Palestine Offensive
- Key attacker divisions
- 60th (London), 74th (Yeomanry), 10th (Irish)
- Mounted support
- Australian Mounted Division, Yeomanry Mounted Division
- Strategic result
- Ottoman Gaza–Beersheba line broken; Jerusalem taken 9 Dec 1917
Strategic Narrative Overview
On 6 November, the 74th (Yeomanry) Division struck the eastern defences while the 60th (London) Division assaulted the Kauwukah and Rushdi systems. Artillery support proved effective, and both positions fell after fierce fighting. After dusk the Londoners pushed toward Sheria Station but were halted when an Ottoman ammunition dump exploded and lit the night sky. On 7 November, repeated Ottoman counter-attacks checked further advance until the Australian Mounted Division's 4th Light Horse Brigade charged the strongest redoubt, suffering heavy losses.
01 / The Origins
By mid-1917, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force had twice failed to breach Ottoman defences at Gaza. The Gaza–Beersheba line, anchored by strong fortifications at Hareira and Sheria, had held for six months. British commanders devised a flanking strategy: capture Beersheba first to unhinge the eastern end of the line, then roll up the centre. Beersheba fell on 31 October 1917, compelling Ottoman forces northward and exposing Hareira and Sheria to attack from the south-east.
03 / The Outcome
Late on 7 November a combined assault by the 60th (London) and Australian Mounted Divisions finally overran the Ottoman rearguard, coinciding with the occupation of Gaza that morning. The entire Ottoman line collapsed. Within a week the EEF won at Mughar Ridge, occupied Jaffa, and on 9 December 1917 entered Jerusalem, establishing a new front line stretching from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.