1/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

[David McDonald]

Looking for details of the 1/5 R.S.F. involvement in the Palestine campaign.

Were they involved in all three battles of Gaza? If so what role did they play.

What other engagements were they actively involved in in Egypt and Palestine?

The mother site Divisional page for the 52(Lowland) Division doesn't list specfics for Palestine. Specific details are listed for the Division's involvement on the Western front but not for Egypt or Palestine.

I have a copy of The Last Crusade by Anthony Bruce which is good but I would be grateful if anyone can provide more specifics of the Battalion or advise where such information might be obtained.

Thanks.

[Nick]

They (1/5 RSF) were definitely invovled in the action at El Mughar in 1917, an action most notable for the action of the yeomanry units that were deployed in support of the 155th Brigade. Good accounts of this are in the official history (Vol I part one I think) and also in Lt General Wavells Book "The Palestine Campaigns". The Anthony Bruce book also covers this action.

The action followed the breakthrough at Gaza where 52 Div advanced steadily through the town

The 52nd Division also formed the left flank of the British line at Romani, although whether the RSF were in the front line I don't know.

But I'm a novice. There are plenty of very knowledgeable guys on this site who will have a fuller answer for you.

Nick

[David McDonald]

Nick

Thanks for the info. The two books you mention sound promising. Thanks again.

David