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Miniatures Adventure => The Great War => Topic started by: robh on March 27, 2025, 11:02:09 AM

Title: WW1 tanks in the Palestine - Mesopotamia theatre
Post by: robh on March 27, 2025, 11:02:09 AM

Does anyone know a source (ideally online) for information relating to the actual deployment and use of tanks in the Middle East during WW1?

(http://www.theworldwar.org/sites/default/files/styles/preview/public/british-tanks-in-palestine_8537019487_o.jpg?itok=E6R4roSP)

I can find reference to them being there but not which tanks, when (although I assume very late), where or their use.

Title: Re: WW1 tanks in the Palestine - Mesopotamia theatre
Post by: Westfalia Chris on March 27, 2025, 01:01:01 PM

The Osprey book "British Mark I Tank 1916" by David Fletcher has a section on Palestine and Mesopotamia. I don't have access to the book right now (I'll look it up on the weekend, if no one else comes in before that), but it memory serves, a number of Mk II and III tanks were seconded to the middle eastern theatre, alongside armoured cars in the Mesopotamian campaign.

Title: Re: WW1 tanks in the Palestine - Mesopotamia theatre
Post by: armchairgeneral on March 27, 2025, 03:05:58 PM

Eight Mk I tanks were used against Turkish forces in the Second Battle of Gaza in April 1917 during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. With its three destroyed tanks replaced by Mk IVs, the tank company fought at the Third Battle of Gaza.

Title: Re: WW1 tanks in the Palestine - Mesopotamia theatre
Post by: robh on March 27, 2025, 07:29:48 PM

Thanks guys, any and all details gratefully accepted.

It was the Gaza battles that set me off on this quest, one account saying a squadron of tanks attacked but were all destroyed by Turkish artillery or abandoned on rough ground but no details of unit, types of tank or command structure.

Title: Re: WW1 tanks in the Palestine - Mesopotamia theatre
Post by: carlos marighela on March 28, 2025, 12:48:06 AM

IIRC there was an article on the tanks at Gaza in either Military Modelling or Battle back in the late '70s.

They were the MkI versions at Second Gaza, eight thereof, later replaced by MkIVs.

The relevant AWM Official History has some details of their place in the broader battles and the Official Histories are available online.

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1417019

Title: Re: WW1 tanks in the Palestine - Mesopotamia theatre
Post by: HerbertTarkel on April 04, 2025, 01:16:28 AM

I had no idea there were tanks in the Middle East during WW1 - very cool subject and photo.