Chapter I: Preface

The formation of a Battalion of Jews for service in the British Army is an event without precedent in our annals, and the part played by such a unique unit is assured of a niche in history owing to the fact that it fought in Palestine, not only for the British cause, but also for the Restoration of the Jewish people to the Promised Land.

In writing the following narrative, my object has been to give a faithful account of the doings of this Jewish Battalion while it was under my command.

I am much indebted to Captain H. Davis, the Rev. L. A. Falk, Mr. Bendov of Jerusalem, and Canon Parfit for permission to reproduce the photographs illustrating this book, which add considerably to its interest.

J. H. P. London, 1922.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION vii

CHAPTER I.
THE BALFOUR DECLARATION 13

CHAPTER II.
THE SANBALLATS 18

CHAPTER III.
THE FORMATION OF THE JEWISH REGIMENT 23

CHAPTER IV.
TRAINING AT PLYMOUTH 30

CHAPTER V.
THE KOSHER PROBLEM 39

CHAPTER VI.
WE SET OUT FOR PALESTINE 43

CHAPTER VII.
BACK IN THE LAND OF BONDAGE 51

CHAPTER VIII.
THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER 62

CHAPTER IX.
WE SET OUT FOR THE FRONT 68

CHAPTER X.
THE NABLUS FRONT 79

CHAPTER XI.
WE MARCH TO THE JORDAN VALLEY 91

CHAPTER XII.
OUR POSITION IN THE MELLAHAH 103

CHAPTER XIII.
LIFE IN THE MELLAHAH 111

CHAPTER XIV.
WE WIN OUR FIRST HONOURS 118

CHAPTER XV.
CAPTURE OF THE UMM ESH SHERT FORD 125

CHAPTER XVI.
THE LOST TRANSPORT WAGONS 131

CHAPTER XVII.
WE GO UP TO RAMOTH GILEAD 137

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CROWN OF VICTORY 144

CHAPTER XIX. PAGE
THE STRATEGICAL VALUE OF PALESTINE 150

CHAPTER XX.
HOSPITAL SCANDAL AT JERUSALEM 157

CHAPTER XXI.
LIFE AT LUDD 167

CHAPTER XXII.
AT RAFA 173

CHAPTER XXIII.
RETURN OF THE ANZACS 179

CHAPTER XXIV.
A RED-LETTER DAY 185

CHAPTER XXV.
JEWISH SOLDIERS ARE FORBIDDEN TO ENTER THE HOLY CITY 193

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE GREAT BOXING COMPETITION 199

CHAPTER XXVII.
BIR SALEM--AN EXCITING RACE 204

CHAPTER XXVIII.
DAMASCUS 211

CHAPTER XXIX.
AMONG THE PHILISTINES 219

CHAPTER XXX.
THE FALL OF GOLIATH 227

CHAPTER XXXI.
PROTESTS 230

CHAPTER XXXII.
A TRIP TO THE SEA OF GALILEE 239

CHAPTER XXXIII.
STRANGE METHODS OF THE E. E. F. STAFF 249

CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE FIRST JUDÆANS 259

CHAPTER XXXV.
THE JERUSALEM POGROM 262