Armageddon Yolun Sonu, Yıldırım Orduları Kuzey Filistin’i Nasıl Terk Etti?
Armageddon, The End of the Road, How Did Ottoman Yıldırım Army Group Abandon the Northern Palestine in the First World War?

Summary/Abstract: The decisive defeat of the Ottoman Yıldırım Armies Group by the British forces in the First World War Palestinian Front in the Battle of Nablus and its aftermath have still been debated so far. In this study, before and after September 19, 1918, one of the darkest days in our history, has been examined generally and some questions were raised to be answered. One of the important questions is why did Liman von Sanders Pasha, Commander of the Yıldırım Armies Group await the main attack from the Jordan River's side instead of the Mediterranean coasts, despite the strong intelligence. It seems that the effective raids of the Northern Arab Army and Bedouin Forces started 3 days before the main attack on the strategic railway junction Deraa and its surrounding stations, (which are almost 75 km behind the front line) caused great concern to the Yıldırım general headquarters and enforced them to use their important reinforcements here. General Allenby, commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces, had already aimed to do so. The second important issue of discussion is that whether Mustafa Kemal Pasha's 7th Army left the front without notifying. However, when the battle was examined in detail, the 7th Army units deployed on a mountainous terrain fought with great devotion, let alone withdrawal, against the British. The decision of the 7th Army to abandon Nablus city was not a result of the developments on it's own front. In addition, Liman Pasha, who had not been on the Western front before and could not follow the tactical developments, adopted the straight line defense instead of flexible defense. It was one of the main reasons that led to the defeat. Being late for checking of the two bridges over River Jordan would have caused the destruction of the 7th Army Undoubtedly; Although defeats has not been desired to remember in popular culture, they actually contain many lessons for the future. As in the Nablus tragedy, they are instrumental in keeping the memories of those who strive and struggle not to be captured even in desperate moments.

• Details
• Contents