W.T. Massey - How Jerusalem Was Won. Allenby's Campaign in Palestine
across the sand without much trouble, but it often meant much bottom-gear work and a hot engine, and
not infrequently the digging out of wheels. The drivers used to try to keep to the tracks made by other
cars. These were never straight, and the swing from side to side reminded you of your first ride on a
camel's back. The wire roads were a great help to us, and the officer who first thought out the idea
received our daily blessings. I do not know who he was, but I was told the wire road scheme was the
outcome of a device suggested by a medical officer at Romani in 1916, when infantry could not march
much more than six miles a day through the sand. This officer made a sort of wire moccasin which he
attached to the boot and doubled the marching powers of the soldier. A sample of those moccasins should
find a place in our War Museum.
CHAPTER VI. PREPARING FOR 'ZERO DAY'
About the middle of August it was the intention that the attack on the Turks' front line in Southern
Palestine should be launched some time in September. General Allenby knew his force would not be then
at full strength, but what was happening at other points in the Turkish theatres of operations might make
it necessary to strike an early blow at Gaza to spoil enemy plans elsewhere. However, it was soon seen
that a September advance was not absolutely necessary. General Allenby decided that instead of making
an early attack it would be far more profitable to wait until his Army had been improved by a longer
period of training, and until he had got his artillery, particularly some of his heavy batteries, into a high
state of efficiency. He would risk having to take Jerusalem after bad weather had set in rather than be
unable, owing to the condition of his troops, to exploit an initial success to the fullest extent. How wholly
justified was this decision the subsequent fighting proved, and it is doubtful if there was ever a more
complete illustration of the wisdom of those directing war policy at home submitting to the cool,
balanced calculations of the man on the spot. The extra six weeks spent in training and preparation were
of incalculable service to the Allies. I have heard it said that a September victory in Palestine would have
had its reflex on the Italian front, and that the Caporetto disaster would not have assumed the gigantic
proportions which necessitated the withdrawal to Italy of British and French divisions from the Western
Front and prevented Cambrai being a big victory. That is very doubtful. On the contrary, a September
battle in Palestine before we were fully ready to follow the Turks after breaking and rolling up their line,
even if we had succeeded in doing this completely, might have deprived us of the moral effect of the
capture of Jerusalem and of the wonderful influence which that victory had on the whole civilised world
by reason of the sacrifices the Commander-in-Chief made to prevent any fighting at all in the precincts of
the Holy City. Of this I shall speak later, giving the fullest details at my command, for there is no page in
the story of British arms which better upholds the honour and chivalry of the soldier than the
preservation of the Holy Place from the clash of battle.
That last six weeks of preparation were unforgettable. The London newspapers I had the honour to
represent as War Correspondent knew operations were about to begin, but I did not cable or mail them
one word which would give an indication that big things were afoot. They never asked for news, but
were content to wait till they could tell the public that victory was ours. In accordance with their practice
throughout the war the London Press set an example to the world by refraining from publishing anything
which would give information of the slightest value to the enemy. It was a privilege to see that victory in
the making. Some divisions which had allotted to them the hardest part of the attack on Beersheba were
drawn out of the line, and forming up in big camps between Belah and Shellal set about a course of
training such as athletes undergo. They had long marches in the sand carrying packs and equipment.
They were put on a short allowance of water, except for washing purposes. They dug, they had bombing
practice, and with all this extra exercise while the days were still very hot they needed no encouragement
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