October 31, 1917
As part of the British advance from Egypt during World War I, the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade overtakes the Turkish defenders and captures Beersheba. By capturing Beersheba, British forces were able to break the Ottoman line near Gaza and advance deep into Palestine.
The British, led by Gen. Edmund Allenby, use infantry positioned near Gaza to deceive the Ottomans into thinking that the attack would come there. With many troops lacking sufficient water for several days, the battle begins when three British divisions attack the Turkish positions on the south and west of the city.
The battle is a success not only for the strategic importance. Because they are able to take Beersheba in a single day of fighting by surprising the Turkish defenses, the British troops prevent the Turks from destroying any of the town during their retreat. As a result, the British and Australian troops capture much-needed supplies and gain access to water from Beersheba’s wells.
Read more about the battle for Beersheba at the Australian War Memorial.