As of June '08 we are expanding the
pages set aside for the NZMR uploads shortly.
This restructuring with give viewers a greater in-depth look at the
actions carried out by the NZMR during the Great War 1914-18
The Enemy Makes Plans
Now and again we are lucky enough to come across a true gem of a photograph that leaps across time. This fantastic gelatin photograph has captured a desert meeting between the two senior Germanic leaders. It is twenty minutes to five in the late afternoon as Kress Von Kressenstein shows notes to the commander of the Austrian forces in Palestine, Baron Lager. Besides the travel clock showing the time, the camp table has an array of pens, note books, ink and ash tray. A clip of ammunition sits on papers. Of special interest is that both men wear wedding rings on their right hands - a tradition followed by Lutheran Church members. Top right: A German soldiers belt buckle inset with the German Imperial crown declares 'Gott Mit Uns', translating to: "God With Us"
Thirty years before German General Erwin Rommel earned the nick-name "Desert Fox" in the deserts of World War II - Baron Friedrich Kress von Kressenstein had earned a similar reputation as a cunning and resourceful leader in the deserts of Sinai and Palestine in the Great War.
British historian Liddell Hart described him as "the inspiration and brain of the
Turks in Palestine for the first three years of the war."
Kress von Kressenstein was a Bavarian born artillery-officer, and became a member of Liman von Saunders' military mission to Turkey in January 1914. He was to spend the majority of the war in service with the Ottoman Empire.
He planned the attack on the Suez Canal in January 1915 which opened hostilities on the Palestine Front. His 'Desert Force' traversed the Sinai carrying with them specially designed and built punts to cross the Suez waterway, but on arrival at the Canal, February 2 1915, British forces were waiting and the attack failed completely and he was forced to retreat back across the desert.
Not until the Gallipoli Campaign ended did the Turks try to take the Suez Canal a second time. Again Kress von Kressenstein (his full surname) led the Ottoman Army across the Sinai in 1916.
This time he was to meet the Anzac force of Australian Light Horsemen and New Zealand Mounted Riflemen at the Battle of Romani where his forces were routed and he fled backwards to El Arish, harrassed by Anzac actions at Katia and Bir el Abd during the retreat.
Attacks against his forces contnued and he was ordered to take command of the Gaza Garrison. He was fortunate to obtain victory during the first British attack, due in large part to the bungling of English General Sir Charles Dobell; when the battle appeared to be won as Anzac Troops finally broke into the town after a faltering Infantry attack - Dobell ordered the Anzac mounted force to retire.
However the successful defense of Gaza in the second battle was attributed to the skills of
Kress von Kressenstein in upgrading fortifications of the garrison.
Replaced in command at Gaza on 5 November 1917 by former German Chief of Staff Erich Falkenhayn, Kressenstein was given command of the Turkish Eighth Army in defence of the coastal sector of the front until the summer of 1918, when he was then transferred to command a German military mission in the Caucasus.
At wars end he returned to Germany in 1919.
A partial save is still a good save!
This photograph is undated and could be one of the military Zeppelins operated by the German Army or Navy during WWI - however this could also be of a commercial Zeppelin flight pre-war of the "Deutsche Luftschiffahrts-AG", the world's first commercial airline. Without seeing the production number on the fuselage it is impossible to tell.
Looking at the skyline we can be sure this is Jerusalem, the tower is a clear marker. I will be interested to hear from Gal as to whether the domes in the foreground are from buildings within the old city walls.
Clearly it is with a stroke of luck that this old Silver Gelatin photograph has been saved before it was too late. The right of the glass plate has been attacked by atmospheric acids and time, and slowly over the years the coating has lifted to be lost forever as pieces peel and float away - but there is enough here for this photograph to hold its own in history.
PRELUDE TO A STORM
With royal standards flying the Kaiser makes a grand entry into Jerusalem 1898.
A special decree was issued by the Sultan Hamid II of Turkey to enlarge and open the ancient Jaffa Gate so Wilhelm could enter the old walled city on horseback with his entourage.
This forging of friendships between the two nations alarmed Britain and France. German interests in the Suez Canal and Turkish interests in the sub continent of India appeared to be in danger of a new powerful alliance.
