The German Ottoman Air Force in the Sinai and Palestine

The following sections about the history of the Ottoman-German Airforce in the Sinai and Palestin has been obtained from the self published work by Ole Nikolajsen called Ottoman Aviation 1911 - 1919. The commentary in this thread is derived specifically from Chapter 8 of that work called: Pasha and Yildirim, the Palestine Front, 1915 to 1918. The text has been edited to remove errors and adjust the language to make it readable for an English speaking audience.

Ole Nikolajsen, Ottoman Aviation 1911 – 1919.

Chapter 8, Pasha and Yildirim, the Palestine Front, 1915 to 1918

A Token Force

Pasha I

3ncu Tayyare Boluk (The 3rd Aircraft Company)

The First and Second Battles Of Gaza

Yildirim Ordu (The "Lightning Army") 

A Fight against Rising Odds

The Pasha Units on the Southern Front

The Final Destruction

Aircraft Delivered To German Units in Palestine 1916-18

Aircraft with Ottoman Army Units in Palestine

Aircrew Serving In Ottoman Army Aircraft Units in Palestine

Biographical Information:

Gustav Adolf Dittmar

Note regarding the text provided by Ole Nikolajsen. 

In its original format, Nikolajsen is difficult to read. This is because the author has written in English, a language he understands well but his turn of phrase is at times more in keeping with his native tongue than English.

In addition to a language issue, there is also some historical commentary that needs to be taken with caution. When Nikolajsen strays from his core subject, the quality deteriorates drastically.

One example is found on p. 177 where the original text states:

"After stubborn fighting the oasis was taken on the 17th of August but at this crucial time a British encouraged Arab uprising took place. Most of the Arab regiments constituting the main force of the Turkish column defected to the British side."

My note follows with a qualifier:

[Editor’s note: This paragraph has been left as it was in the original manuscript. The Battle of Romani was fought from 4-6 August while the Battle of Bir el Abd occurred on 9 August after which the Canal invasion force retreated back to El Arish leaving a rear guard at Bir el Mazar.]

I did not pass comment on the note regarding the defection of the Arab Regiments. As a judgement it is most unfair. Members of the Arab Regiments within the Ottoman army fought well as a rule and died in great numbers for a cause in which they had little sympathy under Anatolian  officers who despised them. At Romani, this judgement is not supported by the facts. However, the transcription of the book is not the place to debate that point. It is for another place altogether.

Again, Nikolajsen records two Pfalz's being downed on 24 August 1918 but I have credible eye witness accounts that say 30 August.

For the reader, caution is advised in accepting certain historical parts of the commentary without further study.

Ole Nikolajsen's "Ottoman Aviation 1911 - 1919" is self published. I am informed that the text was examined by a native English speaking journalist. The level of error within the text indicates that the editor possibly was a poor choice.

The information contained in it regarding the German and Ottoman issues is priceless as Ole Nikolajsen has undertaken much work with the Turkish scholar Bülent Yilmazer. While the current text is solely the work of Nikolajsen, the influence of Yilmazer is strong throughout the content.

To present Ole Nikolajsen's work in the best possible light, I have edited the text so that it reads reasonably well for a native English audience without altering the primary text too much. The balancing act is difficult as the temptation is to redraft whole swathes of paragraphs. However, I have avoided that for the sake of minimalist editing.

In spite of these qualifications, Nikolajsen's work is original and ground breaking and thus should be seriously studied by students of this arena of the Great War conflict. The presentation of this valuable work is done in an effort to ensure Nikolajsen is rightly acknowledged for his scholarship,  labour in presenting such a body of knowledge and generosity of spirit to make it available.

Reference

An updated version of the complete and updated book "TURKISH MILITARY AIRCRAFT SINCE 1912" and other similar volumes may be obtained from Ole Nikolajsen through his website at:

TURKISH MILITARY AIRCRAFT SINCE 1912

Additional Files from Ole Nikolajsen

TURKISH MILITARY AIRCRAFT PHOTO ALBUM

MILITARY AIRCRAFT ALBUM “The square years” 1912-1971

Further Reading:

Air War on the Palestine Front, December 1915 to January 1917

Turkish Units - The Ottoman Air Force

Lieutenant Colonel Hüseyin Hüsnü Emir, Yildirim

Posted by Project Leader at 8:24 AM EAST

Updated: Tuesday, 14 April 2009 12:36 AM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Diaries of AIF Servicemen

Bert Schramm

During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, 2823 Private Herbert Leslie Schramm, a farmer from White's River, near Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September 1918 breakout by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.

 Bert Schramm's Diary, 1 March 1919

Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 26 February - 1 March 1919

[Click on page for a larger print version.]

Diaries

Bert Schramm

Saturday, March 1, 1919

Bert Schramm's Location - El Mina, Lebanon.

Bert Schramm's Diary - We cleaned our camp out today. Came into El Mina and tonight we are camping in the big customs houses on the wharf and will probably embark tomorrow.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Rafa, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  Usual camp routine. Afternoon personnel from the Regiment attended the 2nd Light Horse Regiment Bed Races.

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 2 March 1919

Further Reading:

9th Light Horse Regiment AIF War Diary - Complete day by day list

Bert Schramm Diary 

Bert Schramm Diary - Complete day by day list

Additional Reading:

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Citation: Bert Schramm's Diary, 1 March 1919

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Wednesday, 6 May 2009 1:25 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Suez Canal Attack

Egypt, January 28 - February 3, 1915

 Official British History Account, Pt 10

The following is an extract from:

MacMunn, G., and Falls, C., Military Operations Egypt & Palestine - From the Outbreak of War with Germany to June 1917, London, 1928, pp. 53 -  54.

Chapter IV

THE SINAI FRONT IN FEBRUARY.

THE immediate menace to the Suez Canal having been removed, the next step was to disperse a small force of irregulars which was threatening the village of Tor, on the shore of the Gulf of Suez and near the toe of the Sinai Peninsula. [The chief importance of Tor was that its occupation by the enemy would have given him opportunities for placing mines in the Gulf of Suez.] For this purpose Lieut.-Colonel C. L. Haldane, 2/7th Gurkhas, embarked with half his battalion in H.M.S. Minerva at Suez on the 12th February. The detachment landed the same night with all precautions against attracting attention, moved out at once with the garrison, consisting of 150 men of the 2nd Egyptian Battalion, and before dawn had surrounded the enemy's camp. The action which followed was short and sharp. The enemy lost 60 killed and 102 prisoners, including a Turkish major, and 20 camels were also captured. Not more than a few stragglers can have escaped, while the British losses were one killed and one wounded. The quality and strength of the opposing forces were doubtless so disparate that one result only was possible, but it was the speed with which the Gurkhas carried out the operation that minimised their loss. By 5.30 p.m, the force was back on board.

A period of quiet now ensued in Egypt, the Yeomanry and the detachments of Australian and New Zealand infantry which had reinforced the Canal defences returning to Cairo to resume their training. Information was received from various sources that the Turkish troops which had crossed the desert were demoralized by their defeat and the hardships of their return march. Already, it appeared, that ill will towards the efficient but overbearing German staff officers, which was to grow as the war continued, had manifested itself among them. From further up the coast the light cruiser Philomel brought reports that the troops in the neighbourhood of Adana and Alexandretta were badly armed and elderly. The Christian levies had been disarmed since the surrender to the Doris at Alexandretta, in which they had been involved, but five hundred had deserted and taken to the hills with their rifles. Other troops had openly declared that they would surrender if a landing were made by adequate British forces.

Yet the threat to the Suez Canal, though more distant, remained. On the 21st February a French seaplane reported that there appeared to be 30,000 troops still in the neighbourhood of Beersheba. Another reconnaissance on the 23rd discovered 250 tents at Nekhl and 16 tents, with some 200 regular troops moving about them, at Bir Hassana, half-way between Nekhl and El Arish. "It would appear from this," Sir J. Maxwell cabled to Lord Kitchener, "that we may look for another attack later on."

There was now a resumption of naval activity against the Turkish coasts. On the 24th February the French cruiser Desaix landed a party at Aqaba and chased the Turkish post there up into the hills. The French again took over the watch on the Syrian and Anatolian coasts, having formed a squadron under Admiral Dartige du Fournet for the purpose. Admiral Peirse with his squadron was also at this period placed under the command of the French Admiral. 

Previous Chapter: Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, THE ATTACK, FROM GERMAN AND TURKISH SOURCES, Official British History Account, Pt 9

Next Chapter: No further entries.

Further Reading:

Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, Contents

Where Australians Fought, Sinai, 1916-1917

Light Horse Battles

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: Suez Canal Attack, Egypt, Official British History Account, Pt 10

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Sunday, 26 April 2009 10:37 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Diaries of AIF Servicemen

Bert Schramm

During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, 2823 Private Herbert Leslie Schramm, a farmer from White's River, near Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular, kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September 1918 breakout by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.

 Bert Schramm's Diary, 28 February 1919

Bert Schramm's Handwritten Diary, 26 February - 1 March 1919

[Click on page for a larger print version.]

Diaries

Bert Schramm

Friday, February 28, 1919

Bert Schramm's Location - Tripoli, Lebanon.

Bert Schramm's Diary - I visited the Kadisha Lodge tonight and had a good evening. I expect it will be the last as I believe weather permitting we will be leaving in a day or so.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Rafa, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  Orders received that Australian Division Group would entrain on the evening of the 2nd March 1919 and move early on the morning of 3rd March 1919 to Moascar.

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Next: Bert Schramm's Diary, 1 March 1919

Further Reading:

9th Light Horse Regiment AIF War Diary - Complete day by day list

Bert Schramm Diary 

Bert Schramm Diary - Complete day by day list

Additional Reading:

Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924.

Citation: Bert Schramm's Diary, 28 February 1919

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Wednesday, 6 May 2009 1:28 PM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

 The Query Club

The large scale of the Great War often gave people a sense of alienation from the activities of the government and the army. To overcome this, newspapers of the day commenced columns called Query Club or similar names, where ordinary people could clarify their understanding of the complex processes. They also provide us, the historians, an insight into witnessing first hand, the responses of the various bodies to public concerns. The end product is a window into a society now almost out of living memory.

This is the Query Club from the Sydney Mail, 5 January 1916, p. 30.

ALL INFANTRY

"Glen Innes"

The Light Horse Battalions we have sent to the front are not cavalry regiments; they are mounted infantry. The troopers receive the same rate of pay as the other infantrymen.


THE KING'S VISIT

"WBE"

King George's visit to France was made in the last week of October. The exact dat has not been mentioned, but it was probably about the 25th that he inspected the Australian voluntary hospital at Wimereux.


INTERNED CIVILIANS

"St John's" writes to say that intered civilians in Germany may be communicated with through the Mount Pleasant Post Office, London, as well as through Cook's Agency, to which we referred in the last issue.

Unstamped postcards only are permitted to go through. They should be addressed after this style:

"A---- B----, Civil Prisoner of War, No. 4 Marrack, Englanderlaager, Ruhleben, Germany."

The card should be enclosed in a stamped envelope addressed:

"A---- B----, Civil Prisoner of War, Germany, c/- Mount Pleasant Post Office, London."

Further Reading:

The Query Club

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Sunday, 12 April 2009 9:16 AM EADT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink