First World War: The Middle East

From 1916, Australian troops served with Allied forces throughout the Middle East, mainly taking part in action against the Ottoman Empire.

Over three years Australian troops and the Australian Flying Corps served in Egypt, Palestine and the territories now known as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. To protect vital shipping routes, the Allied campaign aimed to defend the Suez Canal and the Sinai Peninsula.

The extreme heat, harsh terrain and shortage of water in the region presented unique challenges for the troops. To meet these challenges, the Allies relied heavily on horses and camels.

Curriculum areas

Year 9 History

Questions

What challenges did the Allied forces face in the Middle East?
What strategies did the Allied forces adopt to deal with the local conditions?
How did those on the home front respond to the achievements of Australians serving in the Middle East?

Records

Record

This postcard shows a map of the Middle East region titked 'Where Our Boys Are'.

Where our boys are – Postcard map of the Middle East

This is a postcard showing a map of the Middle East region so that family and friends at home could get a sense of where Australian troops were.

Record

Australian Light Horse poster

This work of art recognises the contribution of the Australian Light Horse regiments who were serving in the Middle East during the First World War.

Record

Proposal to form camel companies in Cairo - cablegram to Department of Defence

A copy of a message seeking approval for an increase in the number of Australian troops using camels.

Record

Request for 17,000 horses for the Australian Light Horse in Mesopotamia

This is a cablegram regarding the need for additional horses for the Australian Light Horse, situated in Mesopotamia, during World War I.

Record

Egyptians crushing barley to feed the horses that had accompanied the Anzacs to Mena.

Egyptians crushing barley for horse feed, Mena camp

A photograph of Egyptians crushing barley to feed the many horses that had accompanied the Anzacs to Mena, near Cairo, in late 1914.

Record

Letter of appreciation of the ANZAC troops of the Camel Corps

This is a letter of appreciation for the efforts of the Camel Corps and Major General Harry Chauvel at Magdhaba, during World War I.

Record

Liberation of Jerusalem - appreciation expressed by the town of Toowoomba

This is a memorandum regarding the appreciation expressed by the town of Toowoomba, Queensland, on the occasion of the liberation of Jerusalem.

Record

This is a commemorative plaque to the Desert Mounted Corps, Jerusalem war cemetery.

Memorial to Desert Mounted Corps – Jerusalem war cemetery

From 1916, Australian troops served with allied forces in a series of engagements throughout the Middle East, mainly against the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey).