Battle of Megiddo

On 19th September 1918, the 72nd Punjabis were serving with the 75th Division of the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine. That day marked the opening of the Battle of Megiddo (specifically the Battle of Sharon), the decisive Allied offensive against the Ottoman armies in Palestine. The day was significant for the 72nd Punjabis because:

They took part in the infantry assault that began before dawn, following a heavy artillery bombardment at 4:30 a.m. The regiment attacked Ottoman defensive positions as part of the advance that broke through the Turkish front line on the Plain of Sharon.

The breakthrough enabled Allied cavalry to pass through the gap and begin the encirclement that led to the destruction of the Ottoman Eighth Army. Contemporary regimental records note that the 72nd Punjabis were in action on the opening day of the Battle of Megiddo and suffered just over 100 casualties.

The regiment’s casualty records show a notable number of men from the 72nd Punjabis who died on 19 September 1918, reflecting the intensity of the fighting that day.

The 72nd Punjabis were part of the 232nd Infantry Brigade, which was part of the 75th Division. On 19 September 1918, the division attacked the Ottoman Tabsor–Et Tire position during the opening phase of the Battle of Sharon, the western sector of the Battle of Megiddo.

Reconstructed timeline — 19 September 1918:

Before 04:00

Battalion assembled in assault formation in darkness. Final checks of ammunition, water, signal arrangements, and objectives. Companies moved from their jumping-off trenches to assault positions behind the artillery line. This followed standard XXI Corps assault procedure and the 75th Division attack plan.

04:30

The general offensive opened. British artillery began the planned bombardment and creeping barrage.

The 75th Division advanced behind the barrage, which moved forward at roughly 50 yards per minute.

04:45–05:30

The leading battalions of 232 Brigade crossed the Ottoman front line. The brigade’s assault troops captured the isolated forward trenches and outposts. Resistance appears to have been scattered, including machine-gun fire and artillery. The 72nd Punjabis were among the attacking battalions and were almost certainly advancing immediately behind the barrage during this period.

05:30–07:00

The brigade pushed through the main Ottoman trench system. Ottoman gun positions behind the front line were overrun. Communications trenches, support positions, and strongpoints were cleared. The speed of the advance was one of the battle’s striking features; the barrage was reported to be so accurate that the attacking infantry stayed very close behind it.

07:00–09:00

Consolidation of the first objectives. Reorganisation of companies and platoons after casualties. Collection of prisoners and captured weapons. Brigade commanders assessed whether the attack timetable was being met. This is probably when many of the 72nd Punjabis’ casualties occurred, as isolated Ottoman machine-gun nests often continued firing after the main trench lines had been penetrated.

09:00–12:00

Continued advance towards deeper divisional objectives around the Tabsor–Et Tire defensive system. Mopping-up operations in villages, trench complexes, and artillery positions. Supporting units moved forward through the breach.

Midday–15:00

The Ottoman defensive system in front of the 75th Division had effectively collapsed. Engineers and supply troops began to use captured ground. The breach widened, allowing exploitation by higher formations.

15:00–18:00

Battalion likely engaged in: clearing remaining pockets of resistance, escorting prisoners, establishing defensive positions on captured objectives, and evacuating casualties. The 72nd Punjabis ultimately suffered just over 100 casualties during the day’s fighting, indicating substantial combat exposure.

Evening

Reports and casualty returns were compiled. Ammunition replenished. Orders were received for pursuit operations the following day. The wider Ottoman front was now broken, allowing mounted troops to exploit northwards.