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417:. The brigade originally comprised three battalions, 1st (Australian), 2nd (British), and 3rd (Australian), plus supporting units. Each of the battalions had an authorised strength of 770 men and 922 camels. A battalion comprised four companies and a headquarters. The 4th (ANZAC) Battalion was raised in May 1917, but instead of increasing the brigade fighting strength, it was decided one battalion would always be resting and refitting, while three battalions served at the front.
66:
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444:, and the 97th Australian Dental Unit, which with only four men was the brigade's smallest unit. The brigade included the ICC Mobile Veterinary Section, and the brigade's logistic units were the ICC Brigade Ammunition Column and the ICC Brigade Train, which carried enough supplies for five days. The total brigade strength was around 4,150 men and 4,800 camels.
42:
852:
The 2nd
Battalion of the ICC, together with the Hongkong and Singapore Mountain Battery marched some 30 miles from El Arish, surprising the Turkish forces at Bir el Hassana, who surrendered without resistance. Some local Bedouin fired on the British, who suffered one casualty, a soldier who was shot
608:
was unsuccessful; after three days of battle the
British were unable to break through the Ottoman defences around the city and had to withdraw. The 4th (Anzac) Battalion did succeed in capturing Hill 3039 overlooking the city and managed to hold out for twenty-four hours in the face of artillery and
347:
already used camels. These camels were later only used as draught animals and the lighter
Egyptian camel became the mount chosen for carrying troops. The camels could cover an average distance of 3 miles (4.8 km) an hour, or 6 miles (9.7 km) an hour trotting, while carrying a soldier, his
375:
units, one man of each group of four held the camels when the team was in action, which reduced a team's firepower by a quarter. However it was soon discovered that camels were not as nervous as horses when faced with artillery and rifle fire, and one man would look after twelve to sixteen camels
371:; the company headquarters also received extra staff. All this increased company strength to 184 men. The four companies were expected to operate as independent units that travelled by camel but then dismounted to fight as infantrymen. Following the practise of cavalry and
500:
incursion into the area. When the patrols discovered
Ottoman outposts, the brigade organized a company-strength raid against the outposts. The ICC undertook similar patrols in the north to protect the rail and water lines, which were vital for any British attack.
651:
line. However, no reinforcements were assigned and the six remaining companies were reduced in strength to two before they were eventually disbanded in May 1919. Brigadier-General Claude Stuart Rome took over as
Colonel of the corps in June 1918.
681:
To the
Glorious and Immortal Memory of the Officers, N.C.O.s and Men of the Imperial Camel Corps – British, Australian, New Zealand, Indian – who fell in action or died of wounds and disease in Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine, 1916, 1917,
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1407:
1402:
1253:. Official History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Vol. 1. London: HM Stationery Office.
613:
541:. This also reduced the need for independent camel patrols across the Sinai; in May the EEF consolidated the now-surplus companies into a new unit, the 4th (ANZAC) Battalion.
623:
When the EEF advanced out of the Sinai and into
Palestine, the change in terrain led to the disbandment of the ICC. In June 1918, the Australian troops were used to form the
660:
420:
To complete the brigade structure and supply added firepower, the brigade received some other units: the 265th (Camel) Machine Gun
Squadron, with eight
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in London. On one side it is inscribed with the names of all the members of the corps who died during the war, while on the front is the sentiment;
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rifle of the time. However the move from patrol to a more active combat role in August 1916 led to a re-organisation. Each company added a
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was largely over by then, but the patrols were to show the
Senussi that the British were watching them, and to protect the border areas.
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Around the same time long-range patrols, each of about thirty men, went into the south and south-east of the Sinai desert to detect any
388:
1356:
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616:, the camel brigade were assigned the western defence of the Jordan River ford at Umm esh Shert defending the left flank of the
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668:
Over two years of service cost the ICC 240 deaths: 106 British, 84 Australians, 41 New
Zealanders, and nine men from India. A
1234:. Africa series. Vol. Monographs in International Studies, Volume 51. Ohio University Center for International Studies.
620:. The camel brigade was unable to support the light horsemen, which were attacked on the left flank and forced to withdraw.
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521:. In support of these operations in December the brigade moved into the Sinai; their first large battle came during the
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in the ankle. Because he could no longer ride, the British evacuated him by aeroplane, in the first recorded case of
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The strength of the brigade/corps in the field was around 3,380 men and 3,880 camels, with one battalion resting.
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during October and November. By the end of the year the advance had crossed the Sinai and entered Palestine.
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did not possess their own camel formation. The first units of what became the Imperial Camel Corps were four
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regiments. Then in June another four Australian companies were raised from reinforcements intended for the
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The intensity of operations grew and the ICC were next involved in the capture of the Turkish force at
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in August. They then had a break to refit. Subsequently, they participated in the victories in the
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282:. The brigade suffered 246 men killed. The ICC was disbanded in May 1919 after the end of the war.
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639:. The six British companies remained part of the ICC for a while longer. Two of them fought with
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331:. The companies were raised in Egypt in January 1916 from Australians returning from the failed
355:, each of seven groups of four men. The establishment of a company was 130 men, all armed with
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Military Operations Egypt & Palestine from the Outbreak of War with Germany to June 1917
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In March 1916, after two months of training, the first camel patrols left their depot at
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A posed photograph of Australian, British, New Zealand and Indian Camel Corps troopers
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899:. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 30 August 2009
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The Imperial Camel Brigade was formed on 19 December 1916, under the command of
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A full list of the corps' battles and engagements is in the aftermath section.
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The monument also lists all the battles and engagements fought by the corps;
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Sand, Sweat and Camels: The Australian Companies of the Imperial Camel Corps
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244:
664:
Memorial to the Imperial Camel Corps, Victoria Embankment Gardens, London
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The advantages of camels in a desert environment are well known, and the
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formed two companies, one created in August and the second in November.
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On 9 January 1917 the ICC was involved in another victory during the
424:, and the Hong Kong and Singapore (Mountain) Battery, armed with six
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From a small beginning the unit eventually grew to a brigade of four
1120:. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1063:. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
1002:
975:. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
928:. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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The second battalion was also known as the 2nd (Imperial) Battalion.
537:, which forced the Ottomans to withdraw the Sinai outposts towards
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Military units and formations of the British Army in World War I
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The camel companies consisted of a small headquarters and four
323:-sized formations that conducted long-range patrols around the
1232:
Khaki and Blue: Military and Police in British Colonial Africa
428:. Despite their title, the battery was formed by men from the
387:
regiments. Reinforcements from New Zealand intended for the
270:(EEF) and fought in several battles and engagements, in the
647:, and in July 1918 carried out operations sabotaging the
379:
In March 1916 six new companies were raised from British
525:
on 23 December, two days after the brigade was formed.
614:
Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt
27:
British Imperial camel-mounted infantry brigade of WWI
485:
had attacked British and Egyptian outposts along the
1408:
Military units and formations disestablished in 1919
793:
Hong Kong and Singapore (Mountain) Battery (255 men)
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in 1912. However the British Army forces serving in
1378:
Danish Military History Society article (in Danish)
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799:10th (Camel) Field Troop, Royal Engineers (71 men)
1403:Military units and formations established in 1916
596:Early in 1918, the ICC moved to the area of the
1286:AWM4/11/2/1-11/2/16: HQ Imperial Camel Brigade.
403:The Hong Kong and Singapore (Mountain) Battery
1383:360 Panorama of Imperial Camel Corps Memorial
609:infantry attacks, until ordered to withdraw.
8:
1230:Clayton, Anthony; Killingray, David (1989).
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805:Australian (Camel) Field Ambulance (185 men)
796:265th (Camel) Machine Gun Squadron (115 men)
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489:and the Mediterranean coast. The resulting
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787:3rd (Australian) Camel Battalion (770 men)
1373:Imperial War Museum information film clip
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672:was unveiled on the 22 July 1921, on the
513:(EEF) went over to the offensive in the
477:on the outskirts of Cairo to patrol the
1295:AWM4/11/9/1-11/9/5: 4th Battalion, ICC.
1292:AWM4/11/8/1-11/8/5: 3rd Battalion, ICC.
1289:AWM4/11/6/1-11/6/4: 1st Battalion, ICC.
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814:ICC Brigade Ammunition Column (75 men)
784:2nd (British) Camel Battalion (770 men)
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811:ICC Mobile Veterinary Section (42 men)
31:
1277:AWM4/11/1/1: February 1917 unit diary
790:4th (ANZAC) Camel Battalion (770 men)
635:. All three units became part of the
7:
802:Signal Section, ICC Brigade (30 men)
781:1st (Australian) Battalion (770 men)
670:memorial to the Imperial Camel Corps
633:2nd New Zealand Machine Gun Squadron
631:. The New Zealand troops formed the
808:97th Australian Dental Unit (4 men)
232:raised in December 1916 during the
436:(the 10th (Camel) Field Troop), a
389:New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade
376:once the troopers had dismounted.
367:section of fifteen men with three
25:
1249:Falls, Cyril; G. MacMunn (1930).
1182:from the original on 12 July 2006
556:in April and a raid on the Sana
343:supplied the first camels as the
1032:First World War, 1914–1918 units
204:
199:
194:
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40:
1283:AWM4/11/11/1: 2nd Company, ICC.
1280:AWM4/11/10/1: 1st Company, ICC.
1083:"Camel artillery ready to fire"
432:. The brigade also had its own
263:, and an administrative train.
1205:"Statue: Imperial Camel Corps"
1138:Falls 1930 Vol. 2 pp. 368, 375
1:
893:"Cameliers and camels at war"
778:Brigade Headquarters (40 men)
511:Egyptian Expeditionary Force
466:Imperial Camel Corps at the
276:Sinai and Palestine Campaign
268:Egyptian Expeditionary Force
219:Imperial Camel Corps Brigade
148:Sinai and Palestine campaign
118:Egyptian Expeditionary Force
35:Imperial Camel Corps Brigade
18:Imperial Camel Corps Brigade
1325:Inchbald, Geoffrey (1970).
817:ICC Brigade Train (245 men)
266:The ICC became part of the
1439:
1418:ANZAC units and formations
1118:New Zealand History online
1061:New Zealand History online
973:New Zealand History online
926:New Zealand History online
897:New Zealand History online
629:15th Light Horse Regiments
426:BL 2.75 inch Mountain Guns
109:4,150 men and 4,800 camels
949:Falls 1930 Vol. 1 p. 252.
922:"Formation and expansion"
548:, the defeats during the
440:, the Australian (Camel)
348:equipment, and supplies.
39:
604:in March and April. The
584:ICC troops crossing the
299:Australian camel company
1349:Seven Pillars of Wisdom
1114:"New Zealand companies"
1036:Australian War Memorial
999:Australian War Memorial
637:5th Light Horse Brigade
618:4th Light Horse Brigade
517:in August, winning the
359:, the standard British
55:January 1916 – May 1919
1306:Langley, G.F. (1976).
1028:"Imperial Camel Corps"
855:aeromedical evacuation
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570:Battle of Mughar Ridge
470:
404:
385:Australian Light Horse
309:Somaliland Camel Corps
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223:camel-mounted infantry
100:Camel-mounted Infantry
1310:. Lowden Publishing.
1156:. New Zealand History
1085:. New Zealand history
678:
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606:First Battle of Amman
600:and took part in the
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554:Second Battle of Gaza
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1327:Imperial Camel Corps
566:Third Battle of Gaza
550:First Battle of Gaza
422:Vickers machine guns
412:Clement Leslie Smith
315:at the start of the
172:Clement Leslie Smith
562:Battle of Beersheba
448:Operational history
430:British Indian Army
345:Bikaner Camel Corps
236:for service in the
1207:. London Remembers
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552:in March, and the
523:Battle of Magdhaba
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468:Battle of Magdhaba
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333:Gallipoli Campaign
301:
249:mountain artillery
186:Battalion Insignia
1351:. Penguin Books.
1317:978-0-909706-51-7
1241:978-0-89680-147-9
1178:. Regiments.org.
1057:"Camel artillery"
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674:Thames Embankment
409:Brigadier General
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329:Sinai Desert
305:British Army
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114:Part of
29:
1423:Arab Revolt
1329:. Johnson.
1272:War diaries
1224:Works cited
1186:18 December
645:Arab Revolt
612:During the
365:machine-gun
361:bolt action
280:Arab Revolt
253:machine gun
251:battery, a
238:Middle East
153:Arab Revolt
134:Engagements
1392:Categories
1211:17 January
1160:16 January
1124:17 January
1089:17 January
1067:24 January
1041:16 January
1009:17 January
979:16 January
932:17 January
903:16 January
865:References
749:, Hill 265
592:April 1918
588:to attack
487:Suez Canal
458:Battalions
369:Lewis guns
325:Suez Canal
291:Background
255:squadron,
245:battalions
168:commanders
161:Commanders
1259:610273484
743:Beersheba
713:El. Arish
656:Aftermath
286:Formation
228:that the
124:Equipment
1347:(1962).
1180:Archived
995:"J06062"
717:Maghdaba
381:yeomanry
353:sections
327:and the
181:Insignia
727:Hassana
709:Maghara
697:Baharia
643:in the
558:redoubt
505:Brigade
498:Ottoman
483:Senussi
395:Brigade
341:Bikaner
321:company
226:brigade
166:Notable
90:Brigade
60:Country
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752:1918:
735:Gaza 2
731:Gaza 1
721:1917:
705:Dakhla
693:Romani
691:1916:
602:attack
564:, the
475:Abassi
274:, the
78:Branch
69:
52:Active
1300:Books
1154:"End"
822:Notes
754:Amman
701:Mazar
682:1918.
590:Amman
313:Egypt
128:camel
1353:ISBN
1331:ISBN
1312:ISBN
1255:OCLC
1236:ISBN
1213:2012
1188:2017
1162:2012
1126:2011
1091:2012
1069:2012
1043:2012
1011:2012
981:2012
934:2012
905:2012
723:Rafa
627:and
625:14th
576:1918
539:Gaza
529:1917
509:The
453:1916
259:, a
217:The
106:Size
96:Role
86:Type
81:Army
339:of
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