VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

In November 1914, as an ally of Germany, the Ottoman Empire declared war against France, Russia and Great Britain. Turkey attacked Russian ports.  Britain landed troops in Iraq to protect the vital Anglo-Persian oil pipeline.  The Central Powers responded with an attack on the British forces at the Suez canal, a vital waterway.  Next the British sent warships to the Dardanelle straits to dominate Istanbul, followed by a land force on the Gallipolis peninsula.  The defensive Egyptian Expeditionary Force soon became invaders of Ottoman Palestine.  Campaigns ensued at Gaza, Be'er Sheva, Jerusalem, Megiddo, and Aleppo, resulting in Ottoman surrender.  Tens of thousands of casualties were suffered in these battles. General Edward Allenby's leadership turned the tide for Britain and her allies.  Jews joined the ranks of the British, eventually gaining recognition as the 'Jewish Legion'.  Meanwhile, local residents suffered great deprivation. 
At war's end, Britain occupied Iraq, Transjordan, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.