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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

1/5 Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, south of Majdal Yaba, 1918


Eran Tearosh

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A couple of weeks ago a Suffolk shoulder-badge was found south of Majdal Yaba, near (A little north) of el-Muzeira. On today's maps the site is on the north boundaries of the town Elad (North-east of Ben-Gurion airport).  

Quite uncharacteristic for the Palestine Campaign, this area was held continuously by the same division - The 54th (East Anglia) Division - from late 1917 till the Megiddo Offensive, September 1918. Specifically, the area of el-Muzeira was captured during March 12th 1918, as a part of what is officially known as The Actions of Tell 'Asur. Although most of these actions were on the front of the XX Corps, astride the Jerusalem - Nablus Road, some actions accrued on the front of the XXI Corps: "A bombardment of the Muzeir's Ridge by the heavy artillery and the artillery of the 54th Division began at 6 a.m., and at 7.45 a.m. the infantry advanced to the attack. By 11 a.m. the enemy had evacuated all ground south of Wadi Deir Ballut" (BOH, p. 325) - that includes the area of el-Muzeira. Later that day, Majdal Yaba was captured too.   

Naturally, the different battalions of the division went in and out of the front line every few weeks. As there is no Official History of this Division, Info has to drawn from the BOH (too general), Regimental (or battalion) Histories and War Diaries. 

I know its a long shot - Can anyone help finding when the 1/5 Suffolk Battalion occupied this area of the line? As this place is a bit behind the front line itself, I assume a HQ was located there. 

1401383868_ElMuzeira.jpg.24426b99483792afcbfa9da64637f659.jpg

Eran

 

 

 

 

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'' The History of The Suffolk Regiment 1914 -1927 '' says 

' Early in May the battalion went to Dikerin , and shortly afterwards took over the right right sector of the divisional front , which consisted of a chain of sangars each holding a platoon .' 

On  June 20th the battalion moved back to the neighbourhood of Rantieh in divisional reserve . A few days later they were informed the division was to proceed to France  .

 

I hope this is of some help .

                                                   Regards .

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