Ambulances Sinai 1916

With the difficulties of movement by wheeled transport in the desert, ambulances were restricted to short hauls in close support in the battlefield until the better terrain of Palestine was reached.

Bad as the horsed wagons were for injured and sick men, the inescapable alternative of the cacolet on the back of a camel was far worse.

Australian War Memorial P00019.006, J02884

 

 

 

 

Rail terminal
El Arish 1917

Until the front moved to the Plain of Philistia, when Diran became the forward base, El Arish supported the Gaza battles of 1916 and 1917.

Australian War Memorial H02830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camels at Railhead
Philistia 1918

Camels loaded with frozen mutton prepare to move forward to the Anzac and Australian Mounted divisional trains..

Australian War Memorial B01433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delivering rations
Palestine 1917

The ultimate test in any system is the successsful outcome – here delivering rations to a unit in good time.

Australian War Memorial P02400.017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wagon in the Jordan Valley
Jericho summer 1918

Temperatures continuously above 40oC in the shade plus parasites, cerebral malaria, dust and overwork levied high casualties on men, animals and equipment.

These losses to illness simply meant that the remaining men and mules had to carry the same workload. A system was developed of spelling each company after three days, with camel transport covering the fourth day.

Australian War Memorial 800230

 

 

 

Transport in the Palestine Campaign