Item 039: The capture of Damascus, [ca. 1920 photographic print of original taken 1918] / produced by Colart's Studios, Melbourne

PXD 481/Box 14/f. 32

item

[ca. 1920 photographic print of original taken 1918]

Graphic Materials, Photographs

9586140

1 photographic print - gelatin silver, hand coloured

Forms part of collection The pictorial panorama of the Great War: embracing Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine, France, Belgium, Germany and the Navy, from an Exhibition of war photographs in natural colour, [ca. 1920 photographic prints of originals taken 1915-1918] / produced by Colart's Studios, Melbourne (140 photographs)

Out of copyright: Created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Palestine, Sinai and Syria Series
64. The Capture of Damascus.
On October 2nd, 1918, the fall of this historical city, the oldest existing city in the world, marked the culminating point of what is perhaps the most dashing and brilliant cavalry achievement of any war in history. With extraordinary vigour and endurance the troops of the Australian Mounted Division had pressed on in pursuit of the retreating Turkish armies, brushing all resistance aside, with scarcely any water for either men or horses.
The 3rd L. H. Brigade was ordered to find a way through the hills. On the way they captured a train loaded with German and Turkish officers and booty of all kinds. Unable to find a route over the hills to get behind Damascus as ordered, they turned and made straight for the city. Catching the Turks unaware they galloped up to the main gate. The Syrian inhabitants lining the street cheered with delight as our men galloped through, and their hated masters, the Turks, were fleeing through the exits. The day before these Damascenes were delighted to witness a brisk fight between the Germans and Turks over the rapacity of the former concerning the distribution of vehicles for their retreat.
In the meantime the 5th L. H. Brigade had come up on the other side of Damascus and occupied the only remaining exit in the Barada Gorge, where they killed or captured all the fleeing enemy, mostly Germans, turning the Gorge into a shambles.
The pursuit of the Turks was continued by the 3rd Brigade next morning, who galloped for nearly six miles across country, and with drawn swords charged a large enemy column. The Turks were broken and lost many dead.
All day they continued the pursuit, repeatedly charging the enemy as cavalry, with swords, and capturing many prisoners.
On October 2nd Sir Harry Chauvel and staff and a large body of representative troops of all units, and preceded by the Sherifian Gendarmerie (Arab troops), marched through Damascus and established his H.Q. in those lately vacated by Djemal Pasha.
The total captures at Damascus were over 20,000 prisoners and large quantities of war material. This action was the last real stand of the German-Turkish Army, the remnants of which immediately after surrended in a body. (Neg. No. E13.)

Reference
Exhibition of war photographs in natural colour / Director: Captain W. D. Joynt, V.C.
Melbourne, Vic. : Colart's Studios, [192?]
(photocopy of exhibition catalogue available in Mitchell Library at PXn 895)

Dated from exhibition catalogue for Colour in darkness: images from the First World War. Sydney : State Library of New South Wales, 2016 and Exhibition of war photographs in natural colour / Director: Captain W. D. Joynt, V.C.. Melbourne, Vic. : Colart's Studios, [192?]

Colour in darkness: images from the First World War, 25 June - 21 August 2016 - State Library of New South Wales (25 June - 21 August, 2016)