Amman Falls

Thursday 26th September 1918

Yesterday in Palestine the advance begun with such success on 19th September notched up another success yesterday with the capture of the important town of Amman(1). We have just heard that this morning the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, general Sir Edmund Allenby issued the following communique: "I desire to convey to all ranks and all arms of the Force under my command, my admiration and thanks for their great deeds of the past week, and my appreciation of their gallantry and determination, which have resulted in the total destruction of the VIIth and VIIIth Turkish Armies opposed to us. Such a complete victory has seldom been known in all the history of war."

(1) Now capital of Jordan.

Italy Bound

Tuesday 11th December 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are off on holiday! At least that is how the adjutant wryly described their current mission to me on the blower this afternoon. Their parent unit, 5th Division, is one of five British divisions being sent from the Western Front to Italy, some have already gone, others are on the way now. This British force will be commanded by General Plumer, who has, reluctantly it is understood, handed over command of Second Army at Ypres to Sir Henry Rawlinson.The British divisions will be formed into two Corps, they comprise 5th, 7th, 23rd, 41st and 48th (South Midland) Divisions. Six French divisions are also being sent to Italy.

The reason for sending over 130,000 allied soldiers from France and Flanders is that Italy is in crisis. The Austrians, bolstered by German troops no longer needed to fight the Russians following that country’s collapse into anarchy, launched an attack at Caporetto on 24th October. In a battle which lasted until early November they smashed the Italian 2nd Army and threatened Venice. Fortunately the Italians managed to stabilise the front but they are dreadfully weakened in what a military friend of mine calls the 3 Ms - material, morale and men. It is hoped that the British and French troops will provide the sort of help to the Italians that the Germans did for the Austrians - well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened units around which the Italians can rebuild their strength.

Today the 1st Bedfords went to Anvin and have boarded trains for their long journey south. They are, in fact, on two separate trains. The first, commanded by the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel P R Worrall consists of B Company and D Company. Major Chirnside commands the second train containing A Company and C Company. The transport and quartermaster’s stores have been divided equally between the two trains. They are expected to arrive at their destination on Sunday.

In far-off Palestine we understand that General Sir Edmund Allenby has made his official entry into Jerusalem. Unwilling for any comparison with his Saviour he chose to walk rather than ride in triumph.

Source: X550/2/5

A Demonstration in Front of the General

General Sir Edmund Allenby

Tuesday 30th January 1917 from our correspondent in the field

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment reports that two companies are still on working parties for the Royal Engineers. However, D Company spent part of today in the company of the General Officer Commanding Third Army, General Sir Edmund Allenby. He watched the men giving a demonstration of the new organisation for a company in the attack, building on lessons learned in the Somme battles last year(1).

Source: X550/3/WD

(1) Allenby would have been planning the Arras Offensive, which got under way on 9th April, 2nd Bedfords being involved in the opening day.

2nd Bedfords to Change Armies

Thursday 18th November 1915: The adjutant of the 2nd Bedfords tells us that they have been told that towards the end of the month their division, 7th, will be withdrawn from I Corps, 1st Army and will join 3rd Army which was created in July under the command of General Sir Charles Munro and is now commanded by General Sir Edmund Allenby. The message received goes on: “Its place in the line will, in all probability, be taken by a new and inexperienced Division, who will have little idea of the difficulties of trench warfare in winter time. The General Officer Commanding hopes that no effort will be spared to hand over our present lines in such condition that our successors on arrival may start their campaign under favourable conditions”.

Source: X550/3/wd