2016年10月31日 是一次世界大戰期間澳紐軍團於聖地參與別是巴戰役勝利的99周年紀念(1917年10月31日)，而此戰役的勝利隨即於六周後促成耶路撒冷得以脫離奧圖曼帝國400年統治而獲得自由，並奠定了日後以色列能以獨立、復國，印驗聖經預言的重要關鍵因素之一。同時重挫同盟國在中東戰場的戰力以致節節敗退。
讓我們祝福澳紐軍團(包括屬靈的澳紐軍團(包括屬靈澳紐軍團華人戰士))為著祂在末世的目的再一次與祂同工。
1917年10月31日別是巴戰役
THE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA
31 OCTOBER 1917
撰文：Kris Schlyder
（圖文資料來源：地極禱告站 The End of the Earth Prayer Stations。蒙允刊載。2016.10.20）
*[略述]
- 「別是巴(Beersheba)」位於耶路撒冷的西南邊約50哩(80公里)，是現今以色列南區的行政中心。舊約描繪以色列的國界(或南北地區的宗教/行政中心)為「從但到別是巴」(士20:1撒上3:20撒下3:10,17:11, 24:2,15等)，別是巴所在的地區，就被稱為南地(Negev)。別是巴的重要性在於它與族長的關係，這地點的名稱「別是巴」(意即「盟約之井」)，源於亞伯拉罕與亞比米勒在當地所立的約(創21:22-32)。
˙[報導]ANZAC museum to be built in Beersheba 11/01/2014 (別是巴將興建澳紐軍團博物館)
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/ANZAC-museum-to-be-built-in-Beersheba-380501
- 「別是巴戰役」的重要性— 本月就是一次世界大戰期間澳紐軍團於聖地參與別是巴戰役勝利的99周年紀念，而此戰役的勝利隨即於六周後促成耶路撒冷得以脫離奧圖曼帝國400年統治而獲得自由，並奠定了日後以色列能以獨立、復國，印驗聖經預言的重要關鍵因素之一。同時重挫同盟國在中東戰場的戰力以致節節敗退。
˙ 以下摘自：屬靈澳紐軍團之興起 p.2 ~
...從2000年，大概就是1917年10月31日的別是巴戰役後的83年，被隱藏的有關這個戰役的細節和它的後果因我們國家良知的隱晦事實中浮現出來。主啟示他的一些子民有關這場戰役的屬靈重要意義，而其中的高潮部分是在10月31日天亮前的幾分鐘裡，澳大利亞第四輕騎兵旅在一個非常暴露的地面上大膽的，就像上加略山十字架般勇敢無懼地發起衝鋒進攻。
從主的啟示中瞭解到，這次單純的衝鋒就是促使祂祝福澳大利亞和紐西蘭在第一次世界大戰中能以將聖地從奧圖曼帝國400年的統治中釋放出來。別是巴戰役的勝利打開了(耶路撒冷)通向自由之門。.....
˙ 關於澳紐軍團的史實和啟示—請參閱前述p.9 ~
˙ 藉由認識「別是巴戰役」的史實，可以再次提醒地極禱告站同工家人(亦即屬靈澳紐軍團華人戰士)謹記在《列國的書卷》神啟示祂的渴望就是澳紐軍團(當然包括屬靈的澳紐軍團)為著祂在末世的目的再一次與祂同工。Amen!
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(「1917年10月31日別是巴戰役」是由Kris Schlyder撰寫(*地極禱告站雪梨團隊中譯)，精確地摘自1955年由軍事訓練局出版的澳大利亞陸軍軍事歷史教科書“蘇伊士阿勒頗”。教材的使用經官方許可。)[This description of the battle of Beersheba on 31 October 1917 was written by Kris Schlyder and was accurately drawn from the Australian Army military history textbook “Suez to Aleppo” published by the Directorate of Military Training in 1955. Textbook used with official permission.]
簡介
INTRODUCTION
1917年三，四月份駐紮在蘇伊士運河和迦薩地帶的英軍，在英國將軍穆雷的指揮下，對盤踞在迦薩的土耳其和德國軍隊發動了兩次失敗且代價非常高昂的進攻。1917年6月穆雷將軍被解除指揮權，由英國將軍艾德蒙·艾倫比爵士代替。這時，英國在對德國開戰的各路戰線都遭受挫敗。當艾倫比將軍被任命接替穆雷將軍時，英國首相指示他在耶誕節前攻取並解放耶路撒冷，以便給英國百姓人心振奮起來。
In March and April 1917 the British forces between the Suez Canal and Gaza, under British General Murray, launched two unsuccessful and very costly attacks against the Turkish and German forcesentrenched around Gaza. In June 1917 General Murray was relieved of his command and was replaced by British General Sir Edmund Allenby. At this time Britain was suffering defeats on all fronts of thewar against Germany. When General Allenby was appointed to replace General Murray the Prime Minister of Britain called on him to capture and liberate Jerusalem before Christmas in order to give the people of Britain a morale boost.
土耳其和德國的防線從迦薩一直延伸到別是巴。見地圖1。他們在迦薩地區和線路中心的防線很堅強，但在別是巴周圍的沙漠地帶就要弱得多了，因那裡的水少。土耳其人和德國指揮官沒有預料到在這裡會遭遇重大的打擊。艾倫比將軍精心策劃，以欺騙土耳其和德國指揮官，讓他們相信英國未來的攻擊目標將直接針對在地中海海岸附近的迦薩地區的主要防禦，就像前兩次對迦薩失敗的襲擊一樣。
□地圖一城鎮，公路，鐵路 (可拉開放大查看)
MAP 1 – TOWNS, ROADS, RAILWAYS
The Turkish and German defence line stretched from Gaza to Beersheba. See Map 1. Their defences were strong in the area of Gaza and the centre of the line, but much weaker out in the desert around Beersheba, where there was little water and the Turks and German commanders did not expect a major attack. General Allenby instituted elaborate measures to deceive the Turkish and German commanders into believing the next major British attack would be directed against the main defences at Gaza near the Mediterranean coast, just like the two previous unsuccessful attacks against Gaza were.
艾倫比的全面部署計畫
ALLENBY’SOVERALL PLAN
然而，艾倫比的最終方案，係採取逐段的摧毀土耳其軍隊。在第一階段(圖2-①)， 20兵團和沙漠騎兵軍團將攻下別是巴及其西部和西南部的防禦工事。20兵團將向著東北進軍，而沙漠騎兵旅將在攻取的井旁及喂馬喝水，預防從北部和東北部的任何可能的逆襲逆，並做準備，用以切斷從中央防線和迦薩地區而來的敵人的退路。
However, Allenby’s final plan aimed at the destruction of the Turkish army in successive phases. In the first phase (see circled 1 on Map 2) 20 Corps and the Desert Mounted Corps would capture Beersheba and the defensive works immediately west and south west of the town. 20 Corps would then be generally facing north-east , while Desert Mounted Corps would be watering their horses at the captured wells, holding off any possible counter-attack from the north and north-east, and preparing for exploitation aimed at cutting off the retreat of the enemy on the centre and Gaza sectors.
很快地在第一階段剛結束，21軍團藉著從海上猛烈轟擊的協助，聲東擊西的欺騙戰術將對迦薩展開強大的攻擊，旨在攻取重要地點，牽制敵人，使用其他側面的佯攻來分散敵人的注意力(圖2-②)。這一行動一旦發生，20兵團就驅使敵人離開Sheria和Hareira這兩個位置(圖2-③)。佔有這些要地後，兵團攻擊敵軍左翼的門就隨之打開了。
Immediately on completion of the first phase, 21 Corps, assisted by heavy bombardment from the sea, would launch a powerful attack on Gaza with the object of capturing important localities, pinning down the enemy, and distracting his attention from the other flank (see circled 2 on Map 2). While this action was taking place 20 Corps would drive the enemy from his Sheria and Hareira positions (see circled 3 on Map 2). With these positions in its possession the Corps would operate against the enemy’s left flank, which would then be open.
沙漠騎兵團會在20兵團的右邊向西北方向橫掃，直接目標就是攻取Tel el Negile的水井(圖2-④)。一旦馬匹再次喝飽了水就可以攻擊迦薩地敵軍防線的背面。如果一切順利，土耳其軍隊將變成 “囊中物”。
Desert Mounted Corps would sweep north-westward on the right of 20 Corps with the immediate object of capturing the wells at Tel el Negile (see circled 4 on Map 2). With its horses once again watered it would then be in a position to operate against the rear of the enemy troops defending the Gaza sector. If all went well the Turkish army would be “in the bag.”
艾倫比將軍選擇攻擊別是巴的日期是1917年10月31日，剛好是個滿月，將有助於成千上萬的軍隊在天黑前進入他們攻擊別是巴的(攻擊準備)位置。別是巴，及其19口井，包括亞伯拉罕，以撒，雅各的水井必須在一天之內，也就是在10月31日晚上之前攻下。因為有11000名澳大利亞，紐西蘭和英國的騎兵和他們的馬匹會在戰鬥結束後立即需要補充水，為下一階段的大戰作好準備。
The date General Allenby chose to attack Beersheba was 31 October 1917, which coincided with a full moon, and which would facilitate the movement of thousands of men by night into the areas from which they would attack Beersheba. Beersheba, and its 19 wells including those of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had to be captured in one day, by the night of 31 October, because 11,000 Australian, New Zealand and British horsemen and their horses would need water immediately after the battle, in order to be ready for the next phase of the bigger battle.
*[圖片] 在古別是巴的水井
『以撒從那裡上別是巴去。當夜耶和華向他顯現，說：我是你父親亞伯拉罕的神，不要懼怕！因為我與你同在，要賜福給你，並要為我僕人亞伯拉罕的緣故，使你的後裔繁多。以撒就在那裡築了一座壇，求告雅威的名，並且支搭帳棚；他的僕人便在那裡挖了一口井。』 (創世記26:23-25)
進攻別是巴的準備
PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK ON BEERSHEBA
10月30日晚上之前的晝間夜間，所有參加爭奪別是巴之戰的盟軍部隊都全力趕在夜間向東移動穿越沙漠，而白日則在溝澗，河谷等地方盡可能地隱藏好。10月30日天黑之前，英國第53師，第60師，和第74師(每師約有12-15,000人)在英國陸軍中將契特伍德的指揮下及澳大利亞陸軍中將哈里蕭威爾指揮下的11000沙漠騎兵，各就各位，如地圖3所示。
In the days and nights before the night of 30 October all the Allied troops committed to the battle for Beersheba moved east through the desert by night, and hid as best they could during the days in gullies, wadis etc. By dark on the 30th October the British 53rd, 60th, and 74th Divisions (each of about 12-15,000 men) under British Lieutenant General Chetwode, and the 11,000 horsemen of the Desert Mounted Corps under Australian Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel, were in the positions shown on MAP 3.
土耳其/德國防線用紅色標記。英軍部門和單位用藍色標記。沙漠騎兵隊旅由兩個部分......澳大利亞的騎兵分隊(顏色顯示為綠色和金色)，其中包括了澳大利亞第3和第4輕騎兵隊旅，以及英國第5屯田騎兵旅.....和澳紐騎兵團(顏色顯示為黑色和金色)，由紐西蘭人少將Chaytor指揮，包括澳大利亞第1和第2輕騎兵隊旅，以及紐西蘭騎兵步槍旅。
The Turkish/German defences are marked in red. The British divisions and units are marked in blue. The Desert Mounted Corps consisted of two mounted divisions…… The Australian Mounted Division (colours are shown as green and gold), which consisted of the 3rd and 4th Australian Light Horse brigades, and the British 5th Yeomanry Cavalry Brigade…..and the Anzac Mounted Division (colours are shown as black and gold), which was commanded by New Zealander Major General Chaytor, and consisted of the 1st and 2nd Australian Light Horse brigades, and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade.
在10月30日的晚上，所有這些部隊必須各就各位，準備好翌日10月31日拂曉攻擊。英軍和一些相關單位不得不趁天黑在地勢險要之處行軍至少8英里或13公里，在淩晨4點之前抵達他們的進攻位置。他們全部準時就位！他們的任務不是奪取別是巴。53師是為了阻止從西面過來的土耳其增援部隊。60師和74師負責攻克 1070山地敵人的主要防禦工事，並牽制其他土耳其的防禦，使沙漠騎兵軍團可以從土耳其防守薄弱的東部攻佔別是巴鎮及其水井。
During the night of 30 October all those troops had to move into their positions to start the battle early next morning on 31 October. The British divisions and some associated units had to march at least 8 miles or 13 kilometres over difficult terrain by night to reach their attack positions by 0400 hours. They were all in position on time! Their task was NOT to capture Beersheba. 53 Division was to block Turkish reinforcements coming from the west. 60 Division and 74 Division were to attack and capture the major enemy defences in the area of Hill 1070 and pin down other Turkish defences, so that the Desert Mounted Corps could attack and capture the town of Beersheba and its wells from the east where the Turkish defence were much lighter.
別是巴之戰開始
THE BATTLE FOR BEERSHEBA BEGINS
10月30日的晚上，沙漠騎兵團，在澳紐騎兵軍團領導下，必須騎30英里或50公里沒有偵察過而且測繪不明的鄉村，抵達別是巴東邊的Bir Salem 和 Khasim Zanna區域。
很不簡單 - 甚至是神奇的是，每一個參與別是巴之戰的單位都在指定的時間到達其分配的地點。這是不容易的事，即使是久經戰陣的部隊也不容易辦到。地圖4顯示出所有的部隊在10月31日8時所在的位置。
5點55分英國炮兵開始炮擊土耳其的防禦工事，60師和74師的步兵8時30分開始了他們的攻擊。53師移動到其牽制(攔截)鎖定位置，以防止土耳其軍隊從西邊切入戰鬥區域。
英軍第60和第74師繼續按自己的任務攻擊1070山周圍的區域。並在下午1點半前攻取了地圖5內標注在兩臘腸狀的藍色區域。等到10月31日夜幕低垂時，儘管遭受相當的傷亡，英軍奪取所有他們被分配的區域。
10月31日早上9時，當英軍步兵在攻擊1070山附近土耳其的據點時，澳紐騎兵軍團開始執行被賦予的任務。指揮官Chaytor少將，命令 澳大利亞輕騎兵旅攻取敵人在Tel Es Sakaty的據點，並守候在那兒，以防止土耳其的援軍從希伯倫的來襲。
上午9時，他還派遣紐西蘭騎兵步槍旅攻取並留守Tel Es Saba。
下午1點之前澳大利亞第二輕騎旅大隊攻取了Tel Es Sakaty，附近的一些水井和道路的路線。但Tel Es Saba是一個更強大的障礙。土丘是在旺地河的北岸，有400米長，200米寬，上面有一岩石平臺。各邊都陡峭，但河一側是懸崖。四處佈滿戰壕，步兵和機槍。推進緩慢，給紐西蘭軍隊帶來重大的人員傷亡。
11時，Chaytor將軍調動澳大利亞第一輕騎旅來增援紐西蘭軍隊。在英軍炮火的助展下，經過激烈的戰鬥，兩個輕騎旅在下午3點攻取了Tel Es Saba，並留守在那裡，直到當天下午晚些時候澳大利亞第4輕騎旅發起衝鋒以橫掃千軍之勢攻入別是巴。值得注意的是，如果當時Tel Es Saba 還沒被奪取並守住，第4輕騎旅的任務可能會有不同甚至是災難性的結果。
於是肖韋爾中將便派遣澳大利亞第三輕騎旅去切斷往北往通往希伯侖的道路，然而他的顧慮出現了......白天他的時間幾乎耗盡了，艾倫比將軍給他的命令是在天黑前奪取別是巴及其水井。日落時分是16時50分。他只有兩個獨立旅可用，但因為白天曾遭受德國飛機的攻擊，他們有些部隊被打散而未集中。
During the night of 30 October the Desert Mounted Corps, with the Anzac Mounted Division leading, had to ride 30 miles or 50 kilometres over unreconnoitred and very poorly mapped country to emerge to the east of Beersheba in the area of Bir Salem and Khasim Zanna.
What was remarkable – even miraculous – was the fact that every unit involved in the attack on Beersheba reached its allotted station at the specified time. And that was no mean feat, even for experienced troops. MAP 4 shows where all the troops were at 0800 hours on 31 October.
British artillery started shelling the Turkish defences at 0555 hours and the infantry of 60 Division and 74 Division commenced their attack at 0830 hours. 53 Division moved to its blocking position to prevent Turkish forces from entering the battle area from the west.
The British 60th and 74th Divisions continued to press home their attack around Hill 1070, and by 1330 hours the area enclosed within the two sausage-shaped blue areas marked on MAP 5 had been captured. By the time night fell on 31 October, and despite suffering considerable casualties, the British forces captured all of the areas they had been assigned.
Earlier that day, at 0900 hours 31 October, as the British infantry were attacking the Turkish positions near Hill 1070, Anzac Mounted Division commenced carrying out the tasks it had been given. Its commander, Major-General Chaytor, sent 2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade to capture the enemy position on Tel Es Sakaty, and hold it to prevent Turkish reinforcements coming from Hebron.
At 0900 hours he also sent the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade to capture and hold Tel Es Saba.
By 1300 hours 2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade had captured Tel Es Sakaty, some wells nearby, and the line of the road. But Tel Es Saba was a more formidable obstacle. The mound is on the northern bank of Wadi Saba, is 400 metres long and 200 metres wide, with a flat rocky top. All sides are steep, but the wadi side is a cliff. It was full of trenches, infantry soldiers, and machine guns. Progress was slow and costly in casualties to the New Zealanders.
At 1100 hours General Chaytor reinforced the New Zealanders with most of 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade. With help from British artillery, and after intense fighting, the two brigades captured Tel Es Saba at 1500 hours, and were still there when the charge by 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade swept by them on their way into Beersheba later that afternoon. It is worth noting that if Tel Es Saba had not been captured and held, the charge of 4ALH Brigade may have had a different or disastrous result.
Lieutenant-General Chauvel now sent 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade to block the road further north towards Hebron, and then addressed the problem he had……he was running out of daylight, and the order he had been given by General Allenby was to capture Beersheba and its wells before nightfall. Sunset was at 1650 hours. He only had two uncommitted brigades available and they were somewhat dispersed because of attacks by German aircraft during the day.
澳大利亞第四輕騎旅的衝鋒陷陣
THE CHARGE BY 4TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE BRIGADE
澳大利亞第4輕騎旅旅長，格蘭特準將，就主動請纓率領全旅採取正面騎兵典型衝鋒方式奪取別是巴及其水井。配備馬刀只有45釐米刺刀，正常的戰術本來是衝到土耳其軍隊戰壕前，立即跳下馬，以步槍帶刺刀殺出血路。
格蘭特將軍談到他的整個旅，騎在馬背上衝鋒，朝著約6公里空蕩蕩的地面方向，正面衝入並越過佈滿土耳其戰士的戰壕，攻下佔領別是巴並阻止德軍工兵炸毀寶貴的水井。肖韋爾將軍同意了他的計畫。在地圖5上查看部隊部署。
當格蘭特將軍從分散的地點完成集結他的旅團時已過下午4點半，澳大利亞第4輕騎團在右，第十二澳大利亞輕騎團在左，第十一澳大利亞輕騎團殿後作預備隊.....接著發起衝鋒。先頭騎兵團分成三個縱隊，每一分遣隊裡各個騎兵隔四，五步。當他們一出現在平原就遇上土耳其的炮兵。但他們騎速比機槍手調降他們的機槍瞄準器表尺速度還快，無數的子彈從他們的頭上掠過。機槍和戰壕裡的步槍兵向他們憤怒的開火，但他們仍舊奮勇向前衝鋒。
一些分遣隊從戰壕上直接越過，進入並奪取別是巴，俘虜了許多囚犯，並保護了19口井其中的17口免被炸毀。其他的人下馬入戰壕，並與土耳其人展開白刃戰。澳大利亞第4輕騎旅在衝鋒中有64名的傷亡損失，其中包括32名被射擊斃或傷重而死的。回顧這樣一個大膽的衝鋒發起所蒙受的損失，其實遠低於原先的預估。
顯然，上帝的手伸在那結局當中。戰鬥結束後，發現土耳其步兵也並未調低800米以下的步槍瞄準器的表尺。這意味著他們的子彈只是一直掠過騎兵們的頭，這也表明了土耳其軍隊中的指揮幹部大多陣亡了。讚美神！
這一天是贏了，但卻是一招賭命的險棋。一些澳大利亞人誇稱是自己的輕騎旅獨力奮戰而獲得勝利成功。但事實是如果沒有英國的步兵和炮兵，紐西蘭的騎兵步槍旅和其他澳大利亞部隊成功地完成分配給他們的任務，付上極大的生命損失協同助攻應戰，如今聞名的澳大利亞第4騎旅部隊的戰役可能會是災難收場，或者根本不會有勝利發生。
然而，最後的實際情況是，別是巴的井不能供應足夠的水給所有11,000騎兵和他們的馬匹，那天晚上，他們無法在趕在翌日凌晨按計劃往西北方向急馳，並切斷土耳其兵撤出迦薩的路徑。
Brigadier-General Grant, commander of 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, then volunteered his brigade to take Beersheba and its wells by a direct cavalry-style charge. His men had no cavalry swords only 45 cm bayonets, and their normal tactic would have been to ride to a point in front of the Turkish trenches, dismount, and go forward with rifle and bayonet.
General Grant was talking about his entire brigade charging on horseback over about 6 kilometres of open, bare ground, then at and over the Turkish manned trenches, and on into Beersheba to take it and prevent German engineers blowing up the precious water wells. General Chauvel agreed to his plan. See troop dispositions on MAP 5.
It was 1630 hours before General Grant was able to gather his brigade from dispersed locations, form up with 4 ALH Regiment on the right, 12 ALH Regiment on the left, and 11 ALH Regiment bringing up the rear in reserve…..and commence the charge. The leading regiments rode in three successive lines each of a squadron extended at four or five paces interval between riders. As soon as they appeared on the plain they were engaged by Turkish artillery. But soon they were travelling faster than the Turkish gunners could lower their sights, and many of the shells went over their heads. Turkish machine guns and riflemen in the trenches opened furious fire on them, but they kept on.
At the Turkish trenches some squadrons went straight over the top, and on into Beersheba, seizing it, taking many prisoners, and preventing 17 of the 19 wells from being blown up. Others dismounted into the trenches and took on the Turks in hand-to-hand fighting. 4 ALH Brigade suffered 64 casualties, including 32 killed or died of wounds, in the charge. In retrospect their losses were much lower than they would have expected from such a bold charge.
Clearly God’s hand was in that outcome. After the battle it was found that the Turkish infantrymen had not lowered the sights of their rifles below 800 metres. That means their bullets would have been passing over the heads of the horsemen, and that indicates a breakdown of the Turkish command structure. Praise God!
The day was won, but it was a near thing. Some Australians boast that the Light Horse did it all. But the truth is that if the British infantry and artillery, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, and other Australian units, hadn’t done, successfully, what they were tasked to do, at considerable loss of life, the now- famous charge by the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade may have been a disaster, or it may have never happened.
However, the reality of it all was that the wells of Beersheba could not supply enough water for all the 11,000 horsemen and their horses that night, and they were unable to commence their planned movement north-west the following morning to cut off the Turkish withdrawal from Gaza.
進入耶路撒冷的入口
THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM
因此，艾倫比將軍未能如願，土耳其軍和德國軍在迦薩地帶逃出他所佈署的陷阱。直到1917年12月9日，沿途經過多次激烈戰鬥，英軍第60師才進入耶路撒冷...。未遇抵抗。在耶路撒冷郊區曾有過一些野蠻的戰鬥，但被冰寒澈骨的傾盆暴雨所中斷。當雨停了，英軍步兵第二天12月9日早上繼續向前掃蕩時，他們發現土耳其人已經逃出了耶路撒冷朝北遁去。(*亦即攻下別是巴後約第六週的時間，敵人早已逃離，耶路撒冷城因而得到解放了。)
耶路撒冷市長移交該市的鑰匙給英軍第60師師長。從西澳來的澳大利亞第10輕旅，一直擔認英軍第60師的側衛，所以也一起進入耶路撒冷。
以色列的神從此賜福給當時還很年輕的國家澳大利亞和紐西蘭兩者都才立國不久，因為在把耶路撒冷和聖地從400年之久的土耳其奧斯曼帝國統治下解放過程中我們扮演了舉足輕重的角色重要的參與。這解放始於1917年別是巴之戰役的勝利，最終在1948年誕生了現代以色列這個國家。所有的榮耀歸給至高神！
So, contrary to General Allenby’s plan, the Turks and Germans escaped from his trap at Gaza, and it wasn’t until 9 December 1917, after much heavy fighting along the way, that the British 60th Division entered Jerusalem…. unopposed. There had been some savage fighting on the outskirts of Jerusalem which was interrupted by absolutely torrential rain in freezing conditions. When the rain stopped and the British infantry went forward next morning on 9 December, they found the Turks had withdrawn out of Jerusalem toward the north.
The mayor of Jerusalem handed over the keys of the city to General Shea, Commander of the British 60th Division. The 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment from Western Australia, which had been acting as flank-guard for the 60th Division, entered into Jerusalem with that division.
The God of Israel has since blessed the then very young nations of Australia and New Zealand for our significant part in the liberation of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from 400 years of domination by the Turkish Ottoman Empire. That liberation commenced with the victory at Beersheba in 1917, and culminated in the creation of the modern state of Israel in 1948. All glory be to God Most High!