Vintage Military - Part 96

 World War I, Palestine

We think of World War I as being fought in Europe, but the conflict was wider than that.

Prior to World War I, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire, governed by Turkey, which was allied with Germany in the war.  Britain was concerned that the Ottomans might take over the Suez Canal, so Britain took control of Egypt and sent forces to fight the Ottomans, which eventually involved invading Palestine.

Britain commandeered troops from countries that were its colonies and dominions at the time.  Above, troops from India in Palestine at a "bath parade", which presumably was a gathering for them to bathe.

A camel being washed in the sea at El Arish by a naked Palestinian.

Another camel being washed at Rafa by an Imperial Camel Corps naked sergeant from New Zealand.  Wouldn't want to get his uniform wet!

Naked Australian soldiers and camels at the coast.

Here are Australian soldiers salvaging a limber (part of an artillery cart) that had washed into the Jordan River after they invaded Palestine.

We end with this photo of an Australian Light Horse soldier taking an outdoor shower at Ain Duk, Palestine, near Jericho.

In 1922, after World War I, the League of Nations awarded Britain a Mandate for Palestine, giving it control over the area, which included what is now Israel.  Israel became an independent country in 1948.