On March 26, 1917, the 53rd Division bore the brunt of the First Battle of Gaza where the three brigades, along with the 161st Brigade of the 54th Division, had to advance across exposed ground, withstanding shrapnel, machine gun and rifle fire, to capture the Turkish fortifications. Despite gaining the advantage towards the end of the day, the British commander called off the attack so that the division's casualties, close to 3,500, were suffered in vain.
Formation
The division comprised three infantrybrigades. Some original battalions were detached early in the war to reinforce other divisions.
Three divisions defended the Asian shore of the Dardanelles and three divisions of the Turkish XVI Corps defended the Gulf of Saros north of Bulair at the neck of the peninsula.
As the fighting developed, the landing was reinforced by the arrival of the British53rdDivision on 9 August followed by the 54th Division on August 10.
The 2nd Mounted Division were called to join the attack and in a feat of the sort of glorious folly for which the British gentleman soldier is renowned, they advanced, marching in extended formation, straight across the salt lake, under fire the whole way.
Feeds |
Contact