AsienKorps

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:18

The AsienKorps was a German Expeditionary force sent to assist the Ottoman war effort in late 1917.Originally intended to assist in the recapture of Baghdad,it ended up defending the Palestine Front in 1918.

Its commander was a Oberst Gustav von Oppen.Oppen died of cholera and was also awarded the Pour le Merite.

Has anyone any details on von Oppen?All I can find is that he commanded the 73rd Fusilier Regiment 1914-17 (the same regiment that Junger was in).

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:23

AsienKorps on parade in Jerusalem late 1917.They were originally kitted out very similar to the British,and its said that Turkish complaints about this aspect eventually meant that reinforcements arriving kept their field grey uniforms.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:25

From the Australian War Memorial website.

AsienKorps funeral in Damascus 1918.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:27

German cavalry detachment in the Jordan Valley 1918.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:28

Medical unit.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:30

From the Australian War Memorial website.

German troops at rest,Palestine front 1918.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:33

From the AWM again.

Photos of Germans in the Levant.The second photo shows German girls from the German colony in Jerusalem.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:37

German Air Service members in Palestine 1918.

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:46

As far as I can establish the original AsienKorps consisted of three infantry battalions and three artillery detachments.The battalions were numbered the 701st,702nd and 703rd Battalions.

In mid 1918 the German 146th Infantry Regiment arrived from the Macedonian Front.This unit included many Tannenberg veterans.Its a long way from the Masurian Lakes to the Jordan Valley.

Australian references also mention an 11th Jager Battalion being encountered in the Jordan Valley.

From the AWM:

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 14:52

The Australian Light Horse fought the German force near Jericho in 1918.
The battle was called Abu Tellul and occured on the 13 July 1918.

The Germans attacked and were repulsed with 105 killed,358 prisoners.The Australian 1st LH Brigade lost 23 dead,46 wounded.

Photos from the AWM of German prisoners:

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 14 Aug 2003 15:01

AsienKorps staff early 1918.von Oppen in centre?

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 15 Aug 2003 07:13

Here are the two primary entries pertaining to the German Asienkorps from Die Schlachten und Gefechte des Großen Krieges, 1914-1918 (compiled and published in 1919 by the Great General Staff) showing individual German units.

Regards,
Shawn

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 15 Aug 2003 07:30

And here are the sub-entries detailing specific engagements by unit(s).

Regards,
Shawn

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 15 Aug 2003 07:34

Part two...

USAF1986 · Post by **USAF1986** » 15 Aug 2003 08:48

Here are the first of four entries that should precede the four battle entries posted above. These entries cover the periods of German combat in Central Palestine and East Jordan as such:

• Positional warfare in Central Palestine, 9 December 1917-29 April 1918
• Combat in East Jordan, 20 April 1918-20 September 1918
• Second Battle of East Jordan, 30 April 1918-6 May 1918
• Positional warfare in Central Palestine, 6 May 1918-18 September 1918, and in East Jordan, 7 May 1918-22 September 1918

In Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence described the retreating Turkish army as disintegrating and losing coherence and order. However, he paid homage to his German foes:

“Exceptions were the German detachments; and here, for the first time, I grew proud of the enemy who had killed my brothers. They were two thousand miles from home, without hope and without guides, in conditions mad enough to break the bravest nerves. Yet their sections held together, in firm rank, sheering through the wrack of Turk and Arab like armoured ships, high-faced and silent. When attacked they halted, took position, fired to order. There was no haste, no crying, no hesitation. They were glorious.”

Regards,
Shawn