Battle of Romani
Near Romani, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, about 37 km east of the Suez Canal
What happened
British Empire forces, including the Australian and New Zealand Anzac Mounted Division under Harry Chauvel, fought an Ottoman and German army under Friedrich Kress von Kressenstein. In the First World War, an Ottoman and German army crossed the Sinai desert to bring the Suez Canal within range of its guns. In a night attack they pushed back Australian Light Horse outposts in the sand dunes near Romani. Over three days of extreme heat and deep, soft sand, British Empire troops counter-attacked and drove them back.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the last major attack on the Suez Canal in the war, so the canal stayed open. It began the Allied advance through Sinai and into Palestine.
What came next
The British advance continued across Sinai to Gaza in 1917. Chauvel later became the first Australian to command an army corps and led the attack on Beersheba.
Did you know?
The battle was fought close to the ruins of ancient Pelusium.
Timeline
- 3-5 August 1916The British Empire wins at Romani.
- 12 August 1916The pursuit ends at Bir el Abd.
- 1917The First Battle of Gaza.
- 31 October 1917Chauvel's troops capture Beersheba.