Palestine Command
| British Forces in Palestine and Trans-jordan | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1922–1948 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Command |
| Part of | British Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Jerusalem |
| Commanders | |
| Last commander | Gordon MacMillan |
| Notable commanders | Sir Archibald Wavell |
The British Troops in Palestine and Trans-jordan was a British Army command in Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan.
History[edit]
The command was formed in February 1922 to control all British forces in Mandatory Palestine.[1] In 1930, following an outbreak in hostilities between the Jewish and Arab populations, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment were deployed to Palestine.[1] In September 1936, following an escalation in violence, Lieutenant-General Sir John Dill was despatched there.[1]
In August 1937 Archibald Wavell was transferred to Palestine, where there was growing unrest, to be General Officer Commanding (GOC) British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan.[2] He was promoted to Lieutenant-General on 21 January 1938.[3]
After the Second World War, with the immigration of Jews growing, tensions increased further and 1st Infantry Division (United Kingdom) arrived in Palestine.[1] Later 6th Airborne Division was dispatched as the Imperial Strategic Reserve. In May 1948 the United Kingdom's mandate ended and British troops withdrew the following month.[1]
Commanders[edit]
Commanders were as follows:[4]
- 1936–1937 Lieutenant-General Sir John Dill, appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of The British Forces in Palestine and Trans-jordan, 8 September 1936[5]
- August 1937–1938 Lieutenant-General Archibald Wavell, General Officer Commanding, The British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan[6]
- 1938–1939 Lieutenant-General Robert Haining
- 1939–1940 Lieutenant-General Michael Barker
- 1940–1940 Lieutenant-General George Giffard
- 1940–1941 Lieutenant-General Philip Neame
- 1941–1941 General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson
- 1941–1944 Major-General Douglas McConnel
- 1944–1946 Lieutenant-General John D'Arcy
- 1946–1947 Lieutenant-General Sir Evelyn Barker
- 1947–1948 Lieutenant-General Gordon MacMillan
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Palestine and Trans-jordan 1930-1947". British Military History. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
- ^ "No. 34430". The London Gazette. 27 August 1937. p. 5439.
- ^ "No. 34482". The London Gazette. 15 February 1938. p. 968.
- ^ "Army Commands" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
- ^ "No. 34327". The London Gazette. 29 September 1936. p. 6212.
- ^ "No. 34430". The London Gazette. 27 August 1937. p. 5439.