52nd (Lowland) Division – Crossing the Auja

[Eran Tearosh]

Hi Michael,

Hope you're enjoying the great whether following this week's storm. Should be quite a site, the water-flow of the Yarkon (Auja), as all the tributaries in my area are still flowing!

As to the Jerishe Bridge – I believe what we see in the aerial photograph is the Mill's Weir. That weir could be used most of the year also as a foot bridge and can be seen in some photographs. However, at the time of the year the Scottish bald crossing took place – that narrow pass would be under water (Exactly like today – after a few days of rain). Note that the sketch Vince sent (Again, I'd love to know the source) also relates to a weir, and not to a foot bridge (destroyed or intact).

Please let me know if you find traces of the ramp on the North bank. Never thought of looking for it!

About 4-5 years ago, the annual conference & seminar of the Israeli 'Association of the heritage of the Great War in the Land of Israel' was dedicated to the events of the two crossings of the Auja. I presented there the photograph of the two gentlemen next to the column at the crossing spot of the 155 brigade's. We also thought that one of the two is likely to be Dr. Weizmman. I wonder who is the other.

Enjoy your jog/walk along the Auja!

Eran

[michaeldr]

As to the Jerishe Bridge – I believe what we see in the aerial photograph is the Mill's Weir. That weir could be used most of the year also as a foot bridge and can be seen in some photographs.

Eran,

Please see below references to the foot bridge (here called an infantry bridge) at Jerishe during the New Zealanders' attack.

From Official War History of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment 1914-1919 Chapter Twenty-Two — Action at the River Auja and Engagement at Khirbet Hadrah

“...a further advance was intended to the north of Jaffa, it was decided to secure a bridge head over the Nahr El Auja and to clear the enemy from the northern bank of the river for a distance of two miles from the coast. The enemy were not in strength in the immediate vicinity there, their main force being within striking distance further back, but they held the only known crossings and bridges—four in number—over the river: a ford close to the sea about four feet deep, a crossing for infantry at the Jerisheh Mill, two miles inland, a stone bridge which connected the Jaffa-Jablus Road one mile further north-east, and a mill dam over which men could cross on foot beside it.”

and

"Following close up, the 6th and 9th W.M.R. Squadrons pressed forward against Khirbet Hadrah (one mile and a-half east by north of Sheikh Muannis) and the bridge at Jerisheh, which was taken by 3.30. At the bridge and dam Lieutenant Black's troop captured 22 prisoners. On the positions being secured, Headquarters and the 2nd Squadron, which had remained in reserve at Sheikh Muannis, advanced to Khirbet Hadrah, where 25 prisoners, two machine guns, 17 rifles and 8000 rounds of small ammunition were captured.”

This must be the same bridge which is to be seen on the aerial photograph of 10^th DEC 1917. To help I have added by hand some margin notes

Note that the sketch Vince sent (Again, I'd love to know the source) also relates to a weir, and not to a foot bridge (destroyed or intact).

Please also have another close look at the Plan posted by Vince. It clearly shows a “proposed Bridge” to be built in two sections: A – B, and C- D. The weir is also shown, but you will note that it is to the east (right, or upstream) of the proposed bridge

I hope that this is of help

Michael

[michaeldr]

This first photograph looks north from the southern bank, across the island to the Ramp on the northern bank.

I was not standing at point 'A' on Vince's plan but rather to the left (west) of that point

[had I been at 'A' then the high rushes would have obscured the view]

The second picture is again looking towards the north bank and the Ramp, but this time it was taken from the island

The third is taken from the Ramp looking south, back towards the island.

[michaeldr]

The fourth photograph is looking east towards the Weir, which is the falling water on the left

[that on the right, is a spill-over from the header tank above the Seven Mills. This spill is caused by the recent storms.]

The bridge would have been across the river, about halfway between the camera and the weir

[michaeldr]

It is worth stressing a couple of points here

Firstly, I feel that the river would have had a lot more water in it in 1917-1918 and not just during the winter time either. The rise in the local population during the past 90+ years and their demands for a domestic water supply, together with the needs of a more widespread and sophisticated agriculture, all mean that the water-table in this area has dropped dramatically.

The second point to note is that with each winter's flooding the local geography of this stretch of the river changes slightly, as the sand which is washed down either settles or is driven away to some new spot by the rise and fall of the river's flow.

The third point is that I am not clear as to the date of the plan supplied by Vince: perhaps he would like to comment on that.

The British Imperial forces (Scots, ANZACs & Indians etc) were in the area of Jerishe for quite some time and the plan could have been made at any time from mid-November 1917 up to September 1918 (or later?)

[Eran Tearosh]

Hi Michael,

I believe you've got it right with the third point you mentioned in post #30. I still claim there was no bridge at Jerishe prior to the British arrival. Jerishe Mill was accessed from the south and there was no track leading from it to the North – Note the map you attached in post # 1. It is highly likely that the weir was a bit higher and did serve as a foot passage (Note next paragraph) , even though the water-level was higher then, as you rightfully pointed out in your first point in post #30.

The answer to all this is detailed in the OH. Military Operations Egypt & Palestine, Vol. 2, Part 1, pages 214-216 and pages 267, 273. At the last moment, two battalions of the 161st Brigade (4th & 6th Essex) joined the New-Zealanders in the first crossing of the Auja. "A company of the 4/Essex crossed at Jerishe…", and a few lines below "The A. & N.Z. Field Squadron threw across a pontoon bridge at Jerishe" (Page 215). This bridge was laid during November 24th, after the first wave of the Essex crossed and moved ahead to Muwannis. As we well know, the Turkish counter-attack came the following (Nov. 25th) and the New-Zealanders and Brits were pushed back to the South bank of the Auja. "The companies of the 6/Essex were withdrawn, and crossed by the pontoon bridge at Jerishe and by the mill weir" (Page 216).

Now let's move to the second crossing, in December. "Since the November fighting the enemy had entrenched the high ground on the right bank, and also established works on the left covering… and at Jerishe". Two-three lines ahead we find "As the bridge at Hadra and the mill dam at Jerishe, which had played a part in the November operations, had been destroyed" (page 267).

So, as the aerial photograph you brought (British or German?) is from December 10th – the bridge we see is the pontoon bridge that was constructed by the A. & N.Z. Field Squadron during November 24th. Note the South part of the bridge (Section A-B is not visible in the aerial photograph – it was probably knocked down right after the withdrawal).

But….

Is it possible that the aerial photograph is from a later date? That will help to solve this quote, relating to December 21st: "About daybreak pontoon bridges were thrown at Jerishe and near the river's mouth…" (Page 273). Did they throw a new pontoon bridge (It sounds so) or did they complete a destroyed section of the November Bridge?

So, the two open questions are: Is the date of the aerial photograph accurate, December 10th? And the second question – What is the source (And/or date) of the sketch – Vince?

Michael, thanks for the photos – long time since I've seen such a water-flow at that place.

Best regards,

Eran

Edited 13 January , 2013 by Eran

[David Porter]

Have been following this thread with interest. Does this diary extract help? It comes from HQ ANZAC Mounted Division (AWM4-1-60-21 part 2) November 1917.

This and other pages of the diary indicate a bridge at Z.17.c.d. that would be used by the artillery but a crossing rebuilt if it was destroyed.

[michaeldr]

David,

Many thanks for the above document; in particular I note

“CRE will take in hand at (next word unclear - could be 'once') making the crossing at MILL in Z 21 d

fit for Infantry and crossing in Z 17 C, D, to take artillery if the latter has been destroyed”

Alas, I don't have the map which gives the square references here, so I turned to the PEF map upon which I believe the EEF based theirs.

At Jerishe I see a 'Mill' is marked, as well as a track which crosses the river, but without a bridge being mentioned. I presume therefore that Eran is correct in his suggestion that the existing crossing there in early 1917 was probably the same as today ie via the weir.

The more easterly crossing point, near Hadra, also shows a track. This track however is marked by a heavier symbol (a double pecked line) and the word 'Bridge' is given there. This suggests a track more suitable for artillery and where it crosses the Auja is probably the bridge mentioned in the above document. As well as a bridge being mentioned there the map also says there was a 'Dam' at Hadra.

You can find the PEF map here http://www.jnul.huji...al002368494.htm

It's Sheet XIII – click on the Large Image and then increase the Zoom

This may help with the interpretation of the various accounts which between us we have quoted above.

regards

Michael

[michaeldr]

This may be the crossing at Hadra: have a look here and comment please

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H00781

I think that this is that same bridge at Hadra, which you will remember is given as 'Destroyed' on the OH's map seen in post No. 1

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H00914

Finally, I'm not sure where this one is; perhaps Eran can help here?

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H00975

(I think that you can ignore the AWM's ref to Jordan River – there are at least three Auja's in the geography of the EEF's campaign and they tend to get mixed up by cataloguers)

I wonder if this is another mill further up-stream and do you think that it matches the piece in the British OH which mentions (Sept 1918) a pipeline 7,000 yards long with an output of 17,500 gallons an hour which was laid in eight and a half hours from 'the mill race near Ferrikhiye'?

[the OH says that the 14^th Army Troops Company RE were the speedy pipe-layers and that without the water the 7^th Div would not have been able to advance on 20^th Sept.; see page 510]

[michaeldr]

What a pity that this film is not available to us on-line; OK if you're in London though

http://www.iwm.org.u...ject/1060022573

Object description

The bridging of the Auja River north of Jaffa by 52nd (Lowland) Division, Palestine Front, 20 December 1917

Full description

The film follows the construction of the bridge by the divisional sappers from first start in the early morning mists to completion and the first ammunition mules making the crossing.

[David Porter]

Good finds Michael,

Here is an extract from the 1st Field Squadron, Australian Engineers War Diary - AWM4, 14/36/18 - November 1917. This corresponds with the instruction to make a crossing at Mill (Z.21.d) but there is no mention of an artillery bridge so we must assume that is still intact as of November 25. The sketch mentioned is missing.

[michaeldr]

David & Eran,

It looks like we have a chronology such as the following:

[please comment and correct – as our Pal Martin often says elsewhere, 'any mistakes are mine']

for the Anzac move in November 1917, there was an existing way of crossing the Auja at the Jerishe mill, but this was probably the Weir, and it was considered inadequate for infantry,

so a pontoon bridge was ordered to be constructed by the CRE

This foot-bridge (or section C-D of it) is probably the same one which appears in the aerial photograph of 10 December 1917

For whatever reason (probably the increased Ottoman defences there) this crossing point was not included in the plans for the night of 20-21 December 1917

As the Bridge at Hadra was known about, but its reconstruction is not mentioned, we can assume that it was usable for the Anzacs to use in November. At some point between then and 20 December 1917 this bridge was destroyed, as seen in the photograph and as noted on the OH's map for 20-21 December 1917.

The Order provided by David seems to be directly related to the sketch plan which Vince posted. Both seem to relate to the Anzac advance of November 1917.

regards

Michael

[David Porter]

The Order provided by David seems to be directly related to the sketch plan which Vince posted. Both seem to relate to the Anzac advance of November 1917.

Yes, a boat bridge built with seven eight bays is a bit of a clue.

[michaeldr]

This aerial photograph is from the Bayerisches Haupstaatsarchive

see http://www.gda.bayer...palaestina_0070

I understand that the information on the top margin is, left to right

Bavarian Squadron No. 304

Ordinal No. 2925

Date: 12 September 1918

Time: 07.30 hrs

Main location: Muannis

this one 'square symbol 0577' is a mystery to me

Height: H.5000 (Is this metres or feet?)

Focal Distance: Br.25

The white arrow indicates North

This photograph is useful here in that it covers the Auja from Jerishe to the sea and three of the crossing points can be seen;

Jerishe (where the Anzacs put their pontoon foot-bridge)

Opposite Muannis, where the Lowlanders put their barrel bridge (floated out to there from the tributary which enters the photograph from the left)

and the mouth of the river where the crossing was made at the ford

[oulton]

hello new member, I came across this note written on the back of a faded photo that's faded over the years but you can just make out a soldier standing by a tree and the marble column, I have a few photos of what might be the Allenby bridge, the regiment also seem to be Scottish will post some more pics later, having trouble with photo size hope this helps.

[David Porter]

Oulton,

Yes, 261st Brigade RFA were the numbered version of 2nd Lowland Brigade, Lowland Division (52nd Div). You are looking at men in either 1st, or 2nd Ayrshire Battery or Kirkcudbrightshire Battery from the Irvine area or possibly the 4th City of Glasgow (Howitzer) Bty which joined 261st Brigade RFA later. The 155th (South Scottish) Infantry Brigade were the 4th and 5th Bn. of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and King's Own Scottish Borderers plus the 155th Trench Mortar Battery and a Machine Gun Company.

See http://www.1914-1918.net/52div.htm

The writers name would be a help in determining where he belonged in the listing above.

[oulton]

this is the bridge is this the Allenby,

[oulton]

bridge,.JPGthis is the bridge is this the Allenby,

this is written on the back

[michaeldr]

Friday last week provided a very pleasant morning for the Society for the Heritage of WWI in Israel to explore the 1917 crossings of the Auja; the November attempt led by the New Zealanders and the successful December crossing made by the 52^nd (Lowland) Division.

For the latter, the RE brought in specialist material from Egypt comprising the bridging equipment of four field companies, including twelve pontoons and six Weldon trestles. Examples of the sorts of pontoons and trestles used can bee seen here

http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Clauson-or-MkII-Pontoon.jpg

http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Weldon-Trestle.jpg

Other items had to be improvised locally and the wine cellers of Sarona provided the 412^th Field Company RE with the casks which they needed for the piers of the barrel bridges.

Wood cut from nearby Orange groves and the canvas from army water tanks were made into rafts to each carry 15/20 men across the river. During the second stage of the operation these would be connected and then decked to make light bridges for infantry and pack mules.

The following is an account of the successful 52^nd (Lowland) Division crossing, as told from the RE point of view. It is taken from The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Vol. VI, published by the Institution of Royal Engineers, 1952.

quote:

“Rain fell heavily during the 19^th and part of the 20^th but clear skies and a half-moon then gave sufficient light to move fairly easily after dark. The marshy ground was very soft and the 412^th and 413^th Companies, helped by 300 men of the 1/12 Loyal N. Lancs. (Pioneers), had to improvise a road by laying reserve raft covers over the mud before the carrying parties could get the rafts to the bank.

At 10 p.m. The 412^th company launched four rafts, and thirty-five minutes later the 156^th Brigade's covering party had been ferried across. Meanwhile the 410^th Company and infantry parties began to carry the piers for the light bridges down to the river but the loads were made heavier by the rain and became entangled in the hedges flanking the narrow tracks. More infantry was diverted to this task but considerable delay arose in reaching the river and further trouble then occurred when the canvas of some of the rafts was found to be punctured. Some reserve rafts had to be brought down before the first light-bridge could be completed just before midnight. Ferrying of infantry continued meanwhile and the attack from the bridgehead took place at 11 p.m. when two and a half battalions had crossed.

One battalion extended the bridgehead on the right while a second moved north-west to attack from the rear the defences covering the mouth of the river. A soon as the first bridge was finished the rest of the brigade, less one battalion, crossed and the objectives, after some fighting, were captured.

As soon as the ford defences had been taken the 413^th Field Company was to have driven stakes and fixed a guide rope for the infantry wading across the river, but a 12-in. rise in the water level had submerged the marks fixed earlier, and there was difficulty and delay before the battalion could cross. By 3.30 a.m., however, it had carried out its task.

On the right the 155^th Brigade was ferried over by the 410^th Company, again after delays caused by the sodden equipment. The 410^th Company then began the second barrel-pier bridge, finishing it at 6 a.m.

In spite of the delays caused by the heavy rain before the operation, the crossings had succeeded and the objectives on the north bank gained. The 21^st was devoted by the engineers to improving the facilities for crossing the river, and a section of the 410^th Company worked with the 155^th Brigade on defences and water development. The 412^th Company completed three more bridges (a heavy barrel-pier, a light barrel-pier and a footbridge) and began work on their approaches. The 413^th Company, helped by part of the 410^th Company, built two pontoon bridges. The 412^th Company assembled another barrel-pier and floated it down into bridge at night. Before morning on the 22^nd the 410^th Company had roughly repaired the demolished stone bridge. Artillery then crossed and the situation was further improved by an advance by the 54^th Division on the right. The Turks then withdrew northwards and by nightfall the XXI Corps was established on the general line Mulebbis-Arsuf.

During the next few days the construction and maintenance of roads and approaches to the Auja bridges made heavy demands on the 52^nd Divisional R.E. The soft ground caused much difficulty, overcome in many places by placing thick layers of sand and brushwood to form better foundations. Work was handicapped by shortages of tools, transport and labour, in spite of E.L.C. And natives being employed in the rear areas. By the end of the month the Jaffa flank was secure and the engineers had played no small part in achieving this result.”

end of quote

[michaeldr]

These next five posts may assist anyone wishing to walk the battlefield here

The inscription on the column of the 157^th Brigade

Crossed this ford & captured the Turkish positions commanding it

In 1917/18 the area around here was open country without any development to be seen; the Bavarian aerial photograph linked to earlier shows that very clearly (see post No.14). The ford however had been known from ancient times and it was always considered an important crossing point which had to be guarded. The 157^th Brigade's column stands on Tel Kudadi and the remains of an Israelite fort of the 9^th-8^th century BCE. In the 1930s archaeological excavations took place here, so one has to imagine that when the 157^th set up their memorial, it probably stood on a hill which may have been at least as high as the drum-base of the nearby lighthouse.

The wording 'Crossed this ford' suggests that the position of the ford is clear and well known; alas that is not exactly so.

The landlocked Mediterranean may be tide-less but it does circulate, and sand from the Nile's outflow is deposited along the coast here. When the flow of the Auja* (today's Yarkon) meets the sea, it too deposits the silt which it carries, and this confluence leads to the formation of the sandbar which makes fording possible at the river mouth.

However, the position of the sandbar changes with the seasons, the prevailing winds and the variations in the river's rate of flow, so that today it is not possible to say with absolute certainty exactly where the ford was in December 1917.

* The Arabic name 'Auja' is derived from the twists and turns of the river as it meanders its way to the sea. These twists and turns resemble the track made by a snake as it crosses the sand.

[michaeldr]

If you wish to walk this battlefield and continue on to the memorial column of the 156^th Brigade, then stay on the northern bank of the river and follow the waterside promenade east until you reach a 'Bailey' bridge.

Cross the river by this bridge to reach the southern bank and Ussiskin Street. Cross the road and turn right and look out for No.90 which is only a few yards along. On the right hand side of this building is a broad pathway leading to some steps. Climb these steps to reach General Hill Square and the 156^th Brigade's column is in the little park right ahead of you. Because of the foliage, the column will not be immediately obvious to you, so walk around the outside and enter the little park from the opposite direction.

Here again you will notice that the column was erected on an ancient tel, where excavations have revealed several thousands of years of settlement by various peoples. The burial chamber beneath the column dates from Judean times 2,000 or more years ago.

[michaeldr]

quote:-

On the night 20^th - 21^st Dec 1917 The 156^th Brigade 52^nd (Lowland) Division crossed at this point by light bridges & rafts and captured the Turkish positions at Sh. Muannis

[michaeldr]

To continue the battlefield walk, exit General Hill Square and, returning via the same steps, re-cross the road and the park, to reach the river's tow-path [do NOT re-cross the Bailey bridge]. Turn right (east) and walk along the riverside until you reach the fork where the River Yarkon is joined by the Ayalon (the latter is shown on British 1917/18 maps as the Nahr el Baride). The peninsula formed at this point is the tip of the bird's beak seen in the 1917 aerial photo-montage and the map in post No.1 on the first page of this thread

At this point there is a foot bridge which can take you across the river to the northern bank. For the purposes of this battlefield walk however, do not cross all the way over to the other side, but halfway across, take the ramp descending to the Bird's Head, and then follow the path with the Yarkon (Auja) river on your left-hand side.

This will bring you to the site of the Seven Mills (Jerishe) which was the point where the 1st Field Squadron, Australian Engineers, built their bridge on the night of 24th-25^th November 1917 (see posts Nos. 17 to 38 above) as part of the earlier, unsuccessful, New Zealand Mounted Rifles and Essex Regiment attempt to gain and keep the river's northern bank.

…........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

If you wish to continue on and reach the 155^th Brigade's column, then you can cross over via the weir at Seven Mills to the northern bank of the Yarkon (Auja) and then follow the path (right) eastwards for a couple of kilometres, crossing back onto the southern bank at the next foot-bridge. Then turn right, taking you back in a westward direction along the river's southern bank until you reach the junction of the major roads, Abba Hillel and Ben Gurion (note; you are now in the city of Ramat Gan).

As with the other two memorial columns, the scene here has changed dramatically since 1917/18 and the current site of the 155^th Brigade's memorial may now be about 100 yards or so from its original position. However, the city of Ramat Gan has provided it with a good, conspicuous location, which is well designed and well looked after.

[michaeldr]

It is possible to further extend your walk by returning to the footbridge, crossing back over to the northern bank and turning right to continue eastwards to the site of the Hadra Bridge. Unlike the extensive remains which are to be seen at Seven Mills (Jerishe), today at Hadra alas there is no sign of the Ten Mills which were working there at one time.

Looking east along the river at this point, one can see today's arched foot bridge and immediately behind it the steel girders of the road bridge which cross the Yarkon (Auja) at the approximate site of the 1917 action. The Turks previously destroyed the bridge which had been here and shelling from their positions near Mulebbis prevented the rebuilding of that bridge during daylight hours, however “Before morning on the 22^nd the 410^th Company had roughly repaired the demolished stone bridge. Artillery then crossed...“ (see post No.44 above)

If you have made it this far, then you will have had quite a long walk from the sea, and you will no doubt be relieved to note that public transport is readily available close by (Friday afternoons and Saturdays excepted).

[rodonisle]

On the subject of barrel bridges ... were they an established technology or something invented in the field?  I have sketches of a barrel bridge designed and built by my grandfather (EJ Howells MC of Jordan crossing fame).  It seems from notes and his letters, that the RE ordered a trestle bridge built, which was quickly carried away in a rain-caused flood, and the barrel bridge was used in its place to overcome the quick rise and fall of the waterways in Palestine.  His letters also speak of searching the area for barrels and meeting a German colony lady, with which he corresponded into the 1950s when she emigrated to Melbourne (but that's another story).