1/5th Devons missed the opening phase of the Battle of Nebi Samwil on 20 November, being detailed for escort duties, but on 23 November they took part in an attack on El Jib that ran into Turkish artillery and machine gun fire. Although it raced over the open ground in 'artillery order', the battalion's attacking force was reduced to six officers and 120 men pinned down behind the stone walls of an old vineyard. The "Official History" records that 'Many of the imperturbable Westcountrymen, ignoring their dangerous situation, went to sleep in the afternoon sunshine'. When the battalion resumed the advance through the winter rains it was down to a strength of just 250 men, but was reinforced in late December. After the Capture of Jerusalem 232nd Bde took part in a minor operation on 15 December to gain positions from which the artillery could reach enemy positions.