Action at El Burj 1 Dec 1917

[stevebecker]

Mates,

The attack by the Ottoman Storm Bn (Hucum taburu (Assault Battalion) of the 15th Corps (19th Div) the 20th Div was with the 22nd Corps. Has been mentioned before but why did this Storm Bn attack by itself against the Australian LH and there support Bdes around that area.

I was thinking it may have been a raid in force, but I don't know what The Turkish Command was thinking here?

Does the Offical history mention this action or other Ottoman accounts of the battles to draw the British away from Jerusalem?

Cheers

S.B

[stevebecker]

Mates,

British Intell reports say the 19th Div in this area had these forces;

The 19th Div shows these units
 
72nd Regt (800 men)
77th Regt (600 men)
57th Regt (900 men) dates? detached to 7th Div but served with the 20th Div in fighting around Mulebbis/Bald Hill possibly replaced 61st Regt?
att 158th Regt (600 men) dates? from 50th Div (TBC) but the 50th Div does not show on OrBat after that date.
att 61st Regt (600 men) from 20th Div (dates for its attachment is unknown but around the 1st Dec 1917 after fighting at Bald Hill)

The Turkish Offical history map also showns the 72nd Regt with the 20th Corps around Jerusalem?

But there is no record of its detachment to the 20th Corps?

The Storm Bn is not mentioned in Ottoman records and its attack at El Burj?

Cheers

S.B