162nd Infantry Regt

[stevebecker]

Mates,

In line with the discussion on the 53rd Div at Gaza, the Turkish Orbat shows only these Regts;

161st
163rd

165th (from 54th Div)
125th from 16th Div

But the 162nd not shown with 53rd Div?

The last mention of this Regt is with the newly formed

1st Composite (Lütfü) Müretteb or Mürattep) Div formed Aug 1917 around Amman for recapture of Aqaba took part in operations in and around Tafileh in early 1918 and Amman battles 1918

With parts of these Regts

146th Regt - 162nd Regt - 178th Regt - 3Bn/24th Regt

Do we know anything about the 162nd Regt during the war

Cheers

S.B

[Tosun Saral]

Source: Birinci... p.566
53rd under command of Refet Bey was at Hırbetelcindi and consist of following regiments:
161, 163 and battalions (?) or battalion (?) of 162. A battalion of 162 was still at Hicaj.
and 165 from 54th Div
125 was also given temporaly to 53rd.

The book dont give further information and does not mention the number of battalios.

[stevebecker]

Tosun,

Yes it appears the 162nd Regt had been detached around April 1917, and sent some where, possibly as later records show to the Hejez.

The 165th Regt appears to have replaced the 162nd Regt for a few months before the 79th Regt replaced it.

Cheers

S.B

[domster]

Hi Steve

These are from intelligence summaries at Kew (National Archives UK)

162 Regiment NA:WO157/713 04/03/1917 2 deserters said they were in 16th division, came with 162nd regiment to Damsacus 3 months ago (January 1917) 162nd went on to Medina
162 Regiment NA:WO157/714 12/04/1917 "162 regiment is in el-Ula and will move north to Palestine to re-join 53rd division when the 55 regiment arrives at el-Ula
162 Regiment NA:WO157/715 16/05/1917 "2 companies of the 162nd regiment are being moved from Medain Saleh to Sana.
162 Regiment NA:WO157/715 18/05/1917 "162nd regiment is at el-Ula.
[162nd regiment consisted of 3 battalions]"
162 Regiment NA:WO157/715 30/05/1917 162nd regiment is now in Palestine, replaced at el-Ula by 130th regiment
162 Regiment NA:WO157/717 16/07/1917 Agent Y reports 2 coy. 3/162nd regiment on way way to reinforce Tebuk.

All have to be treated with caution of course and they are sketchy to say the least!

All the best
Dom.

[Tosun Saral]

After 53rd Div.arived to Aleppo the 162 was given to the order of Hicaz Mürettepe Forces on Jan. 9th 1917 and forwarded to Elalaa. (Birinci..p. 405)
The 161 was given to theorderof 8th Army to protect the line along Maan-Akaba.

So 162 could not take part during 1st and 2nd Gazze battles.

[stevebecker]

Mates,

Thank you that's beginning to make sence.

The 162nd Regt was detached to the HEF in Jan 1917 but returned to Palestine (Amman) around late April early May 1917.

But still operated along the rail line until taken up into the formed 1st Composite (Lütfü) Müretteb or Mürattep) Div 8-17 for recapture of Aqaba took part in operations in and around Tafileh in early 1918.

Cheers

S.B