| After Commander Allenby reorganised his regular troops, the British win the 'Third Battle of Gaza' (at Beersheba),
then push on to Jerusalem, capturing it on 11 December 1917. With Faysal and his successful ragtag Arab army from Arabia protecting his flank, Allenby moves north. He fails to capture Amman in March 1918, so halts the offensive.
Fresh British Empire troops arrive that lead to a resumption of the offensive in August. After a series of deceptive moves, the Ottoman line is broken at the Battle of Megiddo on 21 September 1918, routing the Ottoman Army. French
naval vessels arrive in Beirut (okayed by Allenby) on 7 October, the British take Homs on 16 October, Hama 19 October, Aleppo 25 October, and Tripoli 30 October 1918 -the same day that The Ottoman Empire capitulates to the Allies.
Faysal arrives in Damascus a hero on 1 October, forming an Arab government. The Ottoman Empire surrenders to the Allies on October 30 1918.
The British Government temporarily divide Greater Syria into three zones called 'Occupied Enemy Territory Administrations'. The British take the south (Palestine), give Faysal the east (Syrian interior), and the French the north
(Mt Lebanon and coastal Syria). In 1919 Cilicia was included in the North Zone.
Regardless of the carve-up, the real power still rests with Allenby and the British. |
