Topic: BatzP - 3rd Gaza
The Third Battle of Gaza
Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917
Map
The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917, Map detailing the location of Allied Forces.
The use of the term "Z"
Z = Zero.
Z was the traditional letter allocation to the time when an offensive was due to be launched. It has later been supplanted with "D" Day and "H" Hour with the most famous D-Day being 6 June 1944 commencing with the assault by the Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy. However, in 1917, the term used was "Z" to indicate the precise time and day.
The origin of the map series.
During and after the end of the Third Battle of Gaza, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force Headquarters staff produced a series of maps that detailed the daily disposition of forces, firstly Allied and then Allied and Turkish, during the entire conflict. The maps were never published. For the reader of these events, when seen in conjunction with the various War Diary entries, one is able to understand the scale of the operation and thus the immense amount of planning and training that went into achieving its goals.
Further Reading:
The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917
The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Third Battle of Gaza, Palestine, Z - 5, 26 October 1917, Map
