Allenby's Military Medicine: Life and Death in World War I Palestine (International Library of Colonial History)

This book analyzes the medical services of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force under the command of General Allenby during the Palestine Campaigns of 1917-18. It describes the fight against epidemic disease inspired by General Allenby's unique attitude towards the health of the troops and to military medicine and the developments in military-medical organization and surgery on the battlefield during these campaigns. 'Allenby's Military Medicine'examines a little-known feature of World War I as it was fought in the Middle East - the contribution made by the practice of military medicine to the success of Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In stark contrast with operations in the Boer War and some other First World War theatres of combat, which Eran Dolev describes as'medical disasters', the Palestine Campaign was marked by efficient and effective medical service. Dolev describes how this great achievement was inspired by General Allenby's uniquely attentive attitude towards the health of the troops and to military medicine. This is especially seen in the crucial area of fighting epidemic diseases like malaria, a major threat to a healthy fighting force at the time. Dolev also describes the general developments in military-medical organisation and surgery on the battlefield during these campaigns. The author's extensive and original research into military medicine is incorporated into an account of the campaign itself, demonstrating the degree to which the army's success depended on its medical support.The story of military medicine during the Palestine Campaigns is a story of exemplary relations between the command and the doctors in the field. The challenges they faced and their response constitute an exceptional chapter in the history of military medicine during the Great War. Contents......Page 6 Foreword......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Acknowledgements......Page 14 Prologue......Page 16 1. Military Medicine During the Great War......Page 20 2. The Desert Campaigns......Page 32 3. General Allenby......Page 56 4. The Third Battle of Gaza......Page 71 5. The Long Way to Jerusalem......Page 95 6. Raids across the Jordan......Page 121 7. A Different Battle......Page 144 8. The Battle of Megiddo......Page 155 9. The Last Phase......Page 176 Epilogue......Page 192 Notes......Page 196 Index......Page 214 Appendix......Page 219