The Great Desert Dash!

The Third Transjordan attack, executed by Chaytor's Force between September 21 and 25, 1918, was not an isolated event but a critical component of the decisive Battle of Megiddo. This battle marked the culmination of the Sinai and Palestine campaign, a protracted struggle that had seen the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) gradually push back the Ottoman forces. The Battle of Megiddo itself began on September 19th with a massive artillery bombardment and a swift infantry assault, designed to break through the Ottoman lines in the Judean Hills.

The Third Transjordan attack, operating on the right flank of the main assault on Nablus, was specifically tasked with preventing the Ottoman Fourth Army and other Yildirim Army Group units from retreating in an organized fashion eastwards across the Jordan River.

The operational brilliance of the Third Transjordan attack lay in its focus on interdicting Ottoman lines of communication and retreat. On September 22nd, a section of Chaytor's Force achieved a significant victory by attacking and capturing the Ottoman 53rd Division of the Seventh Army. This division was attempting to use the main eastward route out of the Judean Hills towards the Jordan River.

By securing the Jisr ed Damieh bridge and several key fords to the south, Chaytor's Force effectively severed this vital escape route. This maneuver trapped significant Ottoman forces, preventing their reinforcement or organized withdrawal and contributing to the widespread collapse of the Ottoman front. The speed with which these crossing points were secured highlights the effectiveness of Chaytor's Force's reconnaissance and rapid deployment capabilities.

Following the successful interdiction of the Jordan River crossings, Chaytor's Force pivoted to an eastward advance. They swiftly captured the Fourth Army garrison at Shunet Nimrin, demonstrating their offensive momentum. The subsequent capture of Es Salt for a third time underscored their persistent pressure on Ottoman positions.

The ultimate objective of this eastward thrust was the capture of Amman, a key logistical and administrative center for the Ottoman Fourth Army. On September 25th, the force achieved this objective, taking Amman in what is known as the Second Battle of Amman. This rapid conquest of multiple strategic points, including a major city, within a span of just four days, showcased the overwhelming success of the EEF's offensive and the severe disarray of the Ottoman forces.

The Third Transjordan attack, as part of the broader Battle of Megiddo, resulted in the capture of thousands of prisoners and vast territories, effectively destroying the Ottoman Fourth Army as a cohesive fighting force. The remnants of the Ottoman armies were forced into a desperate and disorganized retreat north towards Damascus, a pursuit that continued until Damascus itself fell on October 1st. The strategic implications were profound: the collapse of the Ottoman front in Palestine and Syria, the loss of vital territory, and the acceleration of the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I.

The subsequent Armistice of Mudros on October 30, 1918, directly followed these decisive victories, marking the end of the Sinai and Palestine campaign and signaling the impending dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.