page_title: Battle of Jerusalem
section_title: Surrender of Jerusalem
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Jerusalem / Battle / Capture of Jerusalem / Surrender of Jerusalem
caption_attribution_description: English: TITLE: Capture and occupation of Palestine by British. British troops on parade at Jaffa Gate CALL NUMBER: LC-M31- 60075-x[P&amp;P] REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-DIG-matpc-11530 (digital file from original photo) RIGHTS INFORMATION: No known restrictions on publication. MEDIUM: 1 negative&#160;: glass, dry plate&#160;; 4 x 5 in. CREATED/PUBLISHED: 1917 Dec. CREATOR: American Colony (Jerusalem). Photo Dept., photographer. NOTES: Creator name based on date. Title from negative sleeve. On guide card: Dec. 1917. Gift; Episcopal Home; 1978. SUBJECTS: Jerusalem. FORMAT: Dry plate negatives. PART OF: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection REPOSITORY: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA DIGITAL ID: (digital file from original photo) matpc 11530 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/matpc.11530 CONTROL #: mpc2005002810/PP
context_page_description: The Battle of Jerusalem occurred during the British Empire's "Jerusalem Operations" against the Ottoman Empire, in World War I, when fighting for the city developed from 17 November, continuing after the surrender until 30 December 1917, to secure the final objective of the Southern Palestine Offensive during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. Before Jerusalem could be secured, two battles were recognised by the British as being fought in the Judean Hills to the north and east of the Hebron–Junction Station line. These were the Battle of Nebi Samwill from 17 to 24 November and the Defence of Jerusalem from 26 to 30 December 1917. They also recognised within these Jerusalem Operations, the successful second attempt on 21 and 22 December 1917 to advance across the Nahr el Auja, as the Battle of Jaffa, although Jaffa had been occupied as a consequence of the Battle of Mughar Ridge on 16 November.
  This series of battles was successfully fought by the British Empire's XX Corps, XXI Corps, and the Desert Mounted Corps against strong opposition from the Yildirim Army Group's Seventh Army in the Judean Hills and the Eighth Army north of Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast.
context_section_description: During almost continuous rain on 8 December, Jerusalem ceased to be protected by the Ottoman Empire. Chetwode (commander of XX Corps), who had relieved Bulfin (commander of XXI Corps), launched the final advance taking the heights to the west of Jerusalem on 8 December. The Ottoman Seventh Army retreated during the evening and the city surrendered the following day.
  The mayor of Jerusalem, Hussein Salim al-Husseini, attempted to deliver the Ottoman Governor's letter surrendering the city to Sergeants James Sedgewick and Frederick Hurcomb of 2/19th Battalion, London Regiment, just outside Jerusalem's western limits on the morning of 9 December 1917. The two sergeants, who were scouting ahead of Allenby's main force, refused to take the letter. It was eventually accepted by Brigadier General C.F. Watson, commanding the 180th (2/5th London) Brigade.
  Jerusalem was almost encircled by the EEF, although Ottoman Army units briefly held the Mount of Olives on 9 December. They were overwhelmed by the 60th (2/2nd London) Division the following afternoon.
caption: Allenby and parading Indian troops at Jaffa Gate, 11 December 1917, during official ceremonies after the capture of Jerusalem
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