Egyptian Expeditionary Force

The Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) was formed in March 1916 to command the growing British and British Empire military forces in Egypt during World War I. It was originally commanded by Sir Archibald Murray, later by Allenby. It consisted of the British XX and XXI Infantry Corps, under the command of Generals Philip Chetwode and E.S. Bulfin, respectively, along with the Desert Mounted Corps, four (mostly Australian) cavalry divisions under Australian Lieutenant General Sir Henry George Chauvel.

The force initially consisted mostly of British and Egyptian troops, but most of these were sent to the Western Front in early 1918 to help repel Germany's Spring Offensive. In the meantime, new troops were then dispatched from India, Australia, and New Zealand, and Anzacs in particular made up a large portion of the army. Though it was feared that mostly Muslim Indian troops might desert and join Ottoman Empire forces in the region (who had declared a "jihad" against the Allies early in the war), this fear proved unfounded, as the Indians fought valiantly on the front lines of most of the army's major engagements. The force also included a small contingent of French and Italian troops. The forces of the Arab Revolt, led by Prince Feisal of Mecca, were also unofficially attached during Allenby's Damascus offensive.

The force's role evolved from a defense of Egypt to the invasion of Palestine which involved: the capture of Beersheba and Gaza in October-November 1917 (see Third Battle of Gaza), entering Jerusalem on December 11 1917, and Allenby's successful campaign of 1918, resulting in the defeat of the Turks at Megiddo, and the capture of Damascus, Beirut, and Aleppo. The force's successes ultimately led to Turkey's exit from the war and the British Mandate of Palestine.

ee also

* History of Palestine
* Postage stamps and postal history of Palestine