In the first
Battle of Gaza, 26/27 March 1917, Sir Harry Chauvel was given command of
the newly formed Imperial Mounted Division.
After the second Battle of Gaza, 17/19
April 1917, he was given command of the Desert Column thereby becoming
the first Australian ever to lead a Corps.
In June Chauvel was given command of
the new Desert Mounted Corps (3 Divisions). He became the first Aussie
ever to become a Lieutenant General.
After his successful Charge
at Beersheba his Corps drove the Turks up the Plain of Philistia
past Jaffa and opened the way for the capture of Jerusalem. |