Battle of Magdhaba
Magdhaba, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
What happened
The Anzac Mounted Division under Major General Harry Chauvel fought an Ottoman garrison under Khadir Bey. In the First World War, British Empire forces were advancing across the Sinai desert. After a night march, Australian and New Zealand mounted troops reached the Ottoman redoubts at Magdhaba. They got off their horses and attacked on foot with artillery and aircraft support, capturing the redoubts one by one until the garrison surrendered in the afternoon.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It secured El Arish, the first Mediterranean coastal town the British force captured in the campaign. It removed a threat to the advance across Sinai.
What came next
Supplies began landing at El Arish the next day, and the railway reached the town on 4 January 1917.
Did you know?
The town of El Arish in Queensland, Australia, was named in memory of this campaign.
Timeline
- August 1916The British win at Romani.
- 23 December 1916The Anzac Mounted Division wins at Magdhaba.
- 24 December 1916Supplies begin landing at El Arish.
- 4 January 1917The railway reaches El Arish.