Ottoman trenches and activities near Nahr el-Mukutta - Kishon River

[Eran Tearosh]

All,

 

During and after the last couple of months WWI commemoration activities in south & central Israel, its only natural that I received/receive quite a lot of calls and emails regarding different Great War issues. One of the things I’m more interested in is Israel’s northern parts, where I hope to organize quite a few things around the centennial of The Battles of Megiddo later this year.

 

In this small country, mass land development accrued over the last 100 years. The population grew over 10 times in numbers, and with that – infrastructure, forestation etc’. Therefore, it’s quite rare to find Great War physical evidence in the more populated central and northern parts of the country.

 

I had recently 2 calls from the north. There is what seems to be Ottoman trenches in Kiryat Tivon of today and info of some more near Kibbutz Shaa’r Haamakim. Both are on the hills, which form the south-west part of Lower Galilee, east of Nahr el-Mukutta - Kishon River. These hills protect a part of the then crucially important branch of the Hejaz railway connecting Daraa’ and Haifa.

 

I’m trying to find Ottoman, German or British maps of that area. Fall’s HO map is too general, and all the maps relating to the capture of Haifa don’t reach that area. From what I remember, there are no reports of military activities at these hills during September 22-23 (Haifa), but lots of activity a bit north-west of there, near Belled esh Sheikh, today Nesher (If they were activities in these hills – I’d love to learn about that).

 

My sets of maps (military 1917 and 1918 maps) don’t include the north, roughly from Tul Karem northwards. Can anybody help with maps that include the Ottoman trenches of 1918?

 

Eran

 

 

 

   

Edited 3 January , 2018 by Eran Tearosh

[michaeldr]

Eran,

 

You may well have this already, but in case not

the following is from the 15^th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade History (HMSO 1920)

The map may also be useful as although only a sketch it does have the reference letters/numbers from the full sheet

 

quote:

No enemy were discovered until the advanced squadron of the Mysore Lancers reached Beled Esh Sheikh at 10 a.m., when they were shelled by the enemy's guns on Mount Carmel, and fired on by a machine gun and snipers on the hills west of the village.

 

At 11.30 a.m. the situation was as follows :—

 

Enemy—

Four guns on Mount Carmel, believed to be in the vicinity of Mars Elias, but discovered later to have been near Karmelheim. Six guns at east end of the town in vicinity of Y.24. Snipers and several machine guns on hillside west of main road from J.7 Haifa.

 

Out Troops—

One squadron Mysore Lancers with 2 machine guns working its way up Mount Carmel by goat track from Beled Esh Sheikh ; 1 squadron Mysore Lancers on road from EL Haritheyen to Telles Subat (Z.24.a), Mysore Lancers (less z squadrons) and 2 machine guns, in J.7 and J.8, with advanced troops on Acre railway in J.2. Jodhpur Lancers halted in open in J. 16.

" B " Battery H.A.C. coming into action J.8.

Brigade Headquarters and one Sub-section Machine Gun Squadron in reserve immediately north of Beled Esh Sheikh.

 

Orders had already been given for the Jodhpur Lancers to deliver a mounted attack on the Turks from the east, supported by our artillery and by the fire of Mysore Lancers and machine guns. As, however, no news of the squadron on Mount Carmel had yet been received, orders were issued for the remaining troops to stand fast till further orders.

The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry joined the Brigade at 11.45 a.m., and one squadron was immediately detailed to move on to the hills from Beled Esh Sheikh, with orders to support the squadron on Mount Carmel and capture the enemy's guns.

This squadron started its ascent at 12.10 a.m. In order not to bring off the mounted attack from the east until these two squadrons were ready to seize the guns and the heights overlooking Haifa, orders were issued for the Jodhpur Lancers' attack not to commence before 2 p.m. In the meanwhile frequent patrols were sent out from both regiments to reconnoitre the ground and locate the enemy. These patrols reported two enemy guns in H.6 and eight machine guns along the north side of the Wadi in Z.25 and Z.19. They could not reach the Wadi in Z.25.a.c because of the enemy's guns and machine guns in H.6 and Z.25.a, and in the palm trees near the shore.

The enemy maintained a desultory fire throughout, and " B " Battery H.A.C. replied, searching all the ground between the hills in H.6 and the seashore, according as targets were reported by patrols.

At 2 p.m. the final attack was commenced. The Jodhpur Lancers from a position of readiness 500 yards north-east of Beled Esh Sheikh moved forward at a trot in column of squadrons, in line of troop columns. The Artillery supported them from J.8.d and the two squadrons of the Mysore Lancers with two machine guns took up a position along the railway from J.8.b to J.2.d and covered their advance with fire.

The enemy's machine guns and rifle fire became intense as they crossed the Acre railway line, but the regiment moved on without a check slightly left shouldering as they went.

At this point two more machine guns were galloped up to increase the fire support.

The Wadi in Z.25.a.c, which the enemy's snipers and machine guns from the spur in H.6.a had prevented our patrols from thoroughly reconnoitring was found to be impassable, causing the regiment to change direction left, except for one squadron, which tried unsuccessfully to find a way over to the right.

The leading squadron was directed across the railway on to the machine guns and rifles in H.6.a. These they captured, killing the gunners and opening the defile along the main road from J.I.a to Y.30.a for the passage of the regiment.

As soon as the defile was passed, the second squadron was sent half right and charged the mound about Y.24 central, where they captured two machine guns and several riflemen and three guns further on.

The remaining two squadrons were led straight into and through the town. Shots were fired by Turks here and there from behind the walls of houses, but the fight had practically finished as soon as the defile was crossed. At the far end of the town they were joined by the other two squadrons, one of which had made its way along the lower slopes at the southern edge of the town and captured two guns near a house in the Jewish Colony, which had kept up fire a good ten minutes after all the others had ceased, while the other had worked its way along the shore. Meanwhile the right detached squadron of Mysore Lancers which had been held up by enemy shell and machine gun fire in Z.9.C mounted and advanced as soon as they saw the Jodhpur attack launched. They charged the Turks who were near the mouth of the Nahr-el-Mukutta in Z.i3.b and captured two guns, two machine guns and no prisoners.

The Mysore Lancers (less two squadrons) who had supported the Jodhpur attack by fire, mounted as soon as Jodhpur Lancers masked their fire and followed them through the town.

Almost simultaneously with the mounted attack from the east the Mysores' left squadron on the top of Mount Carmel charged the enemy's position one mile south of Karmelheim. This squadron had made its way up a very difficult gorge, and a great number of horses had fallen out. Two machine guns and the Hotchkiss guns had been placed on a flank, and only 15 men were left for the actual charge, which, however, captured 1 6-inch naval gun, 2 mountain guns, 2 machine guns, and 78 prisoners. A portion of the squadron of the Sherwood Rangers came up in the nick of time and supported this attack and, they too, captured some 50 prisoners.

A large number of the enemy were still hiding in the town disguised as Arabs ; these were gradually rounded up. Excluding those in hospital, 2 German officers, 23 Turkish officers, 664 other ranks were captured by the Brigade, as well as 2 6-inch naval guns, 4 4.2-inch guns, 6 77-mm. guns, 4 10-lb. camel guns, 10 machine guns, and a large amount of ammunition.

Our casualties were 1 Indian officer, 2 Indian other ranks, 60 horses killed; 6 Indian officers, 28 Indian other ranks, and 83 horses wounded.

 

 

 

regards

Michael

Edited 3 January , 2018 by michaeldr

[michaeldr]

For the record

 

Mysore Lancers casualties at Haifa

Wounded -

Jemada Limbaji Powar, I.D.S.M.

104155 Private John E. Cooper RAMC

538 Daffadar Sriniva Rao Selke

1223 Sowar Durgoli Maga

1361 Sowar Mannaji Mane

978 Sowar Borje Powar

 

Jodhpur Lancers casualties at Haifa

 

Killed in Action:

1616 Sowar Tagat Singh

1049 Sowar Shazad Singh

 

Died of Wounds received in action:

Major Thakur Dalpat Singh M.C.

1189 Trumpeter-Major Sher Singh I.O.M. [died 15 Nov 1918]

1296 Daffadar Dhonkal Singh [died 27 Sep 1918]

1449 Sowar Gopal Singh [died 30 Sep 1918]

 

Wounded:

1137 Jemadar Pith Singh

Jemadar Gardhan Singh

Jemadar Berisal Singh

1529 K.-Daffadar Mahdo Singh

1156 Daffadar Ram Singh

1100L.-Daffadar Ranjit Singh

1145 Sowar Dhoor Singh

1144 Farrier Panai Singh

1132 Farrier Fateh Singh

1807 Sowar Beli Singh

1378 Sowar Gaira Singh

1410 Sowar Chatu Singh

1753 Sowar Lall Singh

1338 Sowar Nag Singh

[Guest]

Mate,

 

My records show no formed units at Haifa other then some depot units but retreating troops could have been drawn into the defences?

 

Haifa depot
 

Shown Sept 1918 Allied reports 602nd MG Co (German instruction unit) and 17th Depot Regt moved from Nazareth to Haifa July 1918

 

17th Infantry depot Regt
 

shown Sept 1918 Allied reports depot at Haifa (500 men)

 

These two units could be the same unit?

 

I don't know if the Germans were still there but I dought it.

 

The 11th & 12th LACB are reported made to capture the town 22 Sept but failed due to strong Turks forces.

 

The report claims a Ottoman Bty of 77mm guns on Mt Carmel which I don't think so? more likely 75mm guns?

 

As well as two Naval guns and 10 MG's with in the defences.

 

I had thought that some retreating troops of 22nd Corps may of gone that way, but all maps seam to push these Troop to the East away from Haifa?

 

S.B

 

Edited 4 January , 2018 by stevebecker

[michaeldr]

13 hours ago, stevebecker said:

I don't know if the Germans were still there but I dought it.

 

Given the amount of detail in this Brigade History, including precise map references and a full list of their casualties
then I think that you can also safely rely on their statements regarding this

On 03/01/2018 at 14:33, michaeldr said:

A large number of the enemy were still hiding in the town disguised as Arabs ; these were gradually rounded up. Excluding those in hospital, 2 German officers, 23 Turkish officers, 664 other ranks were captured by the Brigade

 

Edited 4 January , 2018 by michaeldr

[Eran Tearosh]

Michael & Steve - thanks!

 

Michael: Yes, I have the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade history. Note that the map you attached relates to the area north-west of the area  of the trenches found around Tivon. Use Yajur (today Yagur) as reference. I'm trying to find info about the hills around Tivon - Shaar-Haamakim, not about Haifa. 

 

Steve: The British H.O. mentions  that the units involved in September 22nd attempt to capture Haifa were the 12th LAMB and the 7th LCP,  different than you quoted. There is there an interesting part, which might be relevant to the  trenches I'm talking about: "The column, following the main road from Nazareth, encountered a body of the enemy at the railway bridge 8 mills south-east of the town. This party, 69 strong, surrendered at once, but proved that Haifa was still held..... Three mills short of Haifa, however, near the village of Balad esh Sheikh, the column came under artillery fire , and machine guns opened upon it from the hills..." (p. 534-5).

The railway bridge mentioned still exists, and its next to one of the trenches in question. That's the only thing I have so far. 

 

By the way, did the 13th Cavalry Brigade publish a HO? Their movement towards Acre seems interesting. 

 

Eran  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 4 January , 2018 by Eran Tearosh

[michaeldr]

The 69 men who surrendered to Br-Gen King and his LAMB/LAP outfit at this point on the 22nd, cannot have then been replaced, as the 15th I.S.Cavalry Brigade history mentions no resistance was encountered before Beled Esh Sheikh 

 

The 13th Brigade at Acco/Acre encountered 'a few desultory volleys' before the garrison retreated (per Savage's Allenby of Armagedon).

This retreating garrison may be (?) what Liman was referring to in his 'Five Years in Turkey' when he mentions

“The detachment of Germans and Austrians, retreating northwards along the coast, reached Beirut on the 26th after a fatiguing march.” see p. 298

Edited 4 January , 2018 by michaeldr

[Guest]

Mates,

 

The quote 11th and 12th LAMB came from the book shown by Michael under his reply to my coment in "Camel Guide"

 

"

f you have not seen it already, then have a look at 'The Advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force under the command of General Sir Edmund H. H. Allenby'

available here https://archive.org/details/briefrecordofadv00grearich

 

there is a outline of the later battles 

 

But I also believed these two units operated with different Div's and I'll believe you are correct.

 

As to the Troops in Haifa.

 

Yes the 602 MG Co (German) is interesting as it had been in the Palestine since 1916, all my accounts all say the 601st MG Bn had been disbanded in or around June 1917, but units pop up from time to time after that date with the 4th Army?

 

The Garrision is given around 500 men (17th Depot Regt), but with the coastal defences and supply Troops and small paramilitary Jandarma, that number would increase, and the 600 to 700 men appears about right.

 

Ottoman coast defence units were along the coast these include these known units

 

Coastal defences - Palestine Allied reports show 527Bn, 538Bn, 539Bn , 540Bn, 541Bn and 544Bn (coast guard) - and Panderma Muhafaza Bn (Coast/Customs guard) 
 

Turkish reports Panderma or in todays Turkish Bandirma and Sahil Muhafaza (coast guards) or Gümrük Muhafaza./Duane/Zoll/ Customs guards)

 

But its unknown what units (if any) were around Haifa at that time?

 

The two Germans prisoners are interesting as to who they maybe?

 

Were they with the coastal guns were they Artillery officers, or were they in hosp when over run by the Indian Cav, or were they in the fighting?

 

I am still to see how the modern 77 mm guns got onto MT Carmel, few of these weapons were with Ottoman units in Palestine, most of these types appear with German units of the 701st FAR or AA guns and not in Ottoman batteries?

 

Were they a Moblie coastal battery which the Ottomans had along the coast?

 

Just some ideas I was looking at

 

S.B
 

[michaeldr]

On 04/01/2018 at 13:04, Eran Tearosh said:

The British H.O. mentions  that the units involved in September 22nd attempt to capture Haifa were the 12th LAMB and the 7th LCP,  different than you quoted.

 

14 hours ago, stevebecker said:

The quote 11th and 12th LAMB came from the book shown by Michael under his reply to my coment in "Camel Guide"

 

In this particular case Steve, 'The Advance of the EEF...etc...' is almost certainly mistaken:

most histories agree that it was the 12th LAMB & 7th LCP with (temp) Brig-Gen A. d'A. King who made the attempt on the afternoon of the 22nd September 

 

Where the 11th LAMB come in was the next day, when they went with the 13th Cavalry Brigade (less 'B' Battery HAC) off at 05:00 hrs to Acco/Acre, where 2 guns and 200 or 260 prisoners were taken 

 

At about the same time on the 23rd, the 14th Cavalry Brigade & 15th I.S. Cavalry Brigade (less the Hyderabad Lancers, who were escorting prisoners) plus 'B' Battery HAC moved off to take Haifa

10 miles from that city the 14th Brigade remained in reserve* while the 15th & 'B' Battery advanced "along the main road to Belled el Sheikh, where the vanguard squadron of Mysore Lancers  at about 10 o'clock came under fire from machine guns and rifles hidden among the vineyards on the lower slopes of Mount Carmel" [from Anglesey's Cavalry History Vol.V]

 

regards

Michael

 

 edit to add: * "at about 11:50 the Sherwood Rangers  from 14th Brigade came on the scene and one of its squadrons was ordered to follow the Mysore squadron (which had with it 2 machine guns) on to the Carmel ridge" This formation was to take the four guns at Karmelheim (per Anglesey)

 

One further unit which should not be overlooked here is the 15 Field Troop RE.

They had been removing demolition charges from the railway bridge when Lt-Col H N Holden (commanding the Jodhpur Lancers) invited them to join in the charge.

Serjeant Hearne was i/c at this point as Lt R C Crawford RE had gone back to Brigade HQ for further instructions.

Hearne accepted Lt-Col Holden's invitation "with alacrity" and his men were armed with lances or swords taken from casualties, before they took their position on the right of the line. [info from History of the RE Vol.VI]  The charge of the Jodhpurs (& RE) was delayed until 14:00 to allow the flanking units time to reach their objectives 

 

Edited 5 January , 2018 by michaeldr

[michaeldr]

On 04/01/2018 at 02:35, stevebecker said:

The report claims a Ottoman Bty of 77mm guns on Mt Carmel which I don't think so? more likely 75mm guns?

 

Perhaps you are right Steve, and 75mm is more likely in this case

However, this photograph from an album held at the NZ Army Museum suggests that 77mm were indeed used by the Ottomans in Palestine at this time

 

I recommend the album which is to be seen here http://nam.recollect.co.nz/nodes/index/q:ELVN

Edited 12 January , 2018 by michaeldr

[Guest]

Mate,

 

Yes, a small number of batteries in the field were 77mm guns but very few;

 

Some of the known batteries from British Intell records

 

shown Mar 1918 Allied reports 2Bn/1st FAR (8x 75mm Mountain guns) 1st FAR (12x 75mm guns) 5Bty/1st FAR (4x 105mm How) 2Bn/2nd FAR (8x 75mm) 1Bn&2Bn/5th FAR (14x 75mm) 1Bn/6th FAR (8x 75mm) 1Bn/7th FAR (8x 75mm) 2Bn/7th FAR (8x 77mm) 2Bn/8th FAR (8x 75mm) 2xBns/9th FAR (16x 75mm) 11th FAR (8x 75mm 8x 75mm Mountain) 3Bn/12th FAR (8x 75mm) 2Bn/13th FAR (8x 75mm) 2Bty/13th FAR (3x 75mm) 1Bn/14th FAR (5x 75mm) 1Bn&2Bn/16th FAR (9x 75mm + 4x 75mm Mountain) 19th FAR (16x 75mm) 20th FAR (24x 105mm or 8x 75mm 8x 75mm Mountain 4x 105mm How) 1Bn/23rd FAR (8x 75mm) 4Bty/23rd FAR (4x 105mm How) 2Bn/25th FAR (8x 75mm) 1Bn& 2Bn/26th FAR (12x 75mm) 5Bty&7Bty 2Bn/27th FAR (8x 75mm Mountain) 1Bn/30th FAR (8x 75mm)  2Bn/32nd FAR (8x 75mm) 39th FAR (7x 75mm 4x 105mm How) 1Bn/43rd FAR (8x 77mm guns) 2Bn/43rd FAR (2x 75mm) 3Bn/43rd FAR (8x 75mm guns) 4Bn/43rd FAR (8x 77mm guns) (7Bty & 4Bty 5Bty/44th FAR (4x or 8x 75mm Mountain 8x or 4x 105mm How) 47th FAR (12x 75mm) 1Bn&2Bn/48th FAR (16x 75mm) 1Bn/50th FAR (8x 75mm) 53rd FAR (16x 75mm) 1Bn/54th FAR (8x 75mm) 2Bn/54th FAR (8x 75mm) 3rd Cav Div Bn (4x 75mm 2x 75mm Mountain) 
 

The 43rd Div is shown to Beirut (coastal defence 1916/18 & Katma (coastal defence) 1918

shown Feb 1918 Allied reports 2xBns Mevlevi Regt + 539Bn 540Bn 541Bn Coastal defences Regt

shown July 1918 Allied reports 1Bn/43rd FAR (8x 77mm guns) 2Bn/43rd FAR (8x 77mm guns) 4Bn/43rd FAR (8x 77mm guns)

 

No other Ottoman formation shows that many 77 mm guns with them?

 

Cheers

S.B

Edited 12 January , 2018 by stevebecker